From the Surgical Times (Link to Original Article)
In recent years, there has been growing awareness of Breast Implant Illness (BII) following breast augmentation surgeries. While BII isn’t yet considered a diagnosable condition, tens of thousands of women with breast implants have reported a wide range of symptoms that can’t be traced back to other conditions despite numerous lab tests and evaluations—and that, more often than not, resolve upon having their implants removed.
Women experiencing the symptoms of BII often opt for explant surgery (breast implant removal) to find relief. Others opt for breast implant removal due to concerns such as implant failure, capsular contracture, or implant ruptures. You might also consider breast implant removal for strictly cosmetic purposes, such as dissatisfaction with the implant’s shape or size.
Breast implant removal is a delicate procedure that should only be done by experienced board-certified plastic surgeons. These are ten of the best explant surgeons according to a review of ratings, comments, and accolades by women who have had breast implant removal surgery.
1. David Rankin, MD
Dr. David Rankin is the founder of Aqua Plastic Surgery in Jupiter and Miami, FL, and the Chief of Plastic Surgery at St. Mary’s Medical Center, West Palm Beach, FL. He’s board-certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and an active member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons.
In recent years, Dr. Rankin has become well-known in the BII community for his explant procedures. He’s helped numerous patients, including celebrities, remove breast implants due to symptoms of BII. He has also been featured in numerous media outlets, including The Doctors and Inside Edition.
One of his patients, Rachel Garlinghouse, recently published an illuminating article about her experience with BII and Dr. Rankin’s explant procedure.
2. Jae Chun, MD
Dr. Jae Chun is the founder and plastic surgeon at Newport Coast Plastic Surgery in Newport Beach, CA. He’s board-certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery, and his practice is solely dedicated to breast implant removal, total/en-bloc capsulectomy, and mastopexy.
Dr. Chun is recognized as a global leader in treating patients with Breast Implant Illness, performing total/en-bloc capsulectomy in each case. After performing the explant procedure, he shares images of the extracted breast implants on his Instagram account (@jchunmd1) with informative captions. He aims to highlight the reality of how breast implants transform once they’re inside the body.
“Just because someone is a great plastic surgeon doesn’t mean they are great at every plastic surgery procedure. If removal of the entire capsule is important ([and it] should be if you have BII), go with someone experienced in that procedure.” – Dr. Jae Chun, Breast Implant Removal Specialist
July 6, 2021
3. Kevin Brenner, MD
Dr. Kevin Brenner is a board-certified plastic and reconstructive surgeon specializing in breast explant procedures. He has performed thousands of breast surgeries at his state-of-the-art surgical center in Beverly Hills, including breast implant removal, en-bloc capsulectomy, and breast implant removals followed by breast lifts
Dr. Brenner has lent his expertise on BII to numerous media outlets, including a comprehensive Q&A with Goop where he highlights the symptoms of BII and his breast implant removal techniques.
4. Joshua Lampert, MD
Dr. Joshua Lampert is a board-certified aesthetic and reconstructive plastic surgeon in Miami, FL, specializing in breast explants and en-bloc capsulectomy. He has appeared in numerous media outlets, such as Wink News, where he’s discussed the possibility of fat transplants as an alternative to breast implants.
“Fat transplants use low-pressure liposuction to collect fat. It takes a little longer than normal liposuction. Then, the fat is processed, and then the fat is injected into the adipose tissue. It’s even more voluminous and better shaped,” said Dr. Lampert.
5. Nima Naghshineh, MD
Dr. Nima Naghshineh is a world-renowned, board-certified plastic and reconstructive surgeon specializing in breast, body, and face procedures. She’s one of the world’s foremost specialists in Breast Implant Illness, Breast Cancer Reconstruction, and Revision Surgeries.
Dr. Naghshineh also founded Implants Removed, a platform that shares information and tips on the possibilities of breast implant removal. The platform is an exhaustive resource for patients seeking information on breast implant removal — all questions are answered directly by plastic surgeons.
6. Tancredi D’Amore, MD
Dr. Tancredi D’Amore is one of the leading explant-only plastic surgeons in the San Francisco Bay Area. He listens to BII symptoms and performs en-bloc capsulectomy whenever possible. He’s currently collecting data for a study on BII that will soon be published in the future. He also specializes in microsurgery and fat transfers.
“I definitely listen to BII, am fully committed to removing the entire capsule, and I have seen an improvement in symptoms in virtually every patient we did surgery on. On average, the symptoms of BII improve considerably postoperatively; approximately 80 to 100%.”
7. Ritu Chopra, MD
Dr. Ritu Chopra is one of the board-certified plastic and reconstructive surgeons in Plastic Surgery Institute, a surgical center in Beverly Hills, CA. He’s a firm supporter and advocate for the recognition of BII, having spoken out about BII on The Doctor’s Show and several podcasts.
Dr. Chopra is an explant-only surgeon — he has stopped performing primary implant-based breast augmentations. However, he looks at revision surgery cases and counsels his mastectomy reconstruction patients. For his mastectomy patients with signs of BII, he performs breast implant removal pro-bono.
8. Patrick Cole, MD
Dr. Patrick Cole is a board-certified plastic and reconstructive surgeon committed to helping patients with BII in Boise, ID. He’s board-certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery, and he completed his Plastic Surgery residency at the prestigious Baylor College of Medicine in the Texas Medical Center. He has published over 220 scientific articles, 20 plastic surgery training videos, and 25 book chapters.
Dr. Cole is an explant-only surgeon, having stopped all implant-based breast augmentations due to BII concerns. He performs en-bloc capsulectomy along with muscle repair, when necessary and possible. He believes en-bloc, i.e., complete removal of scar tissues around the implant, is the safest procedure for all patients. Upon request, Dr. Cole takes pictures of the implants and capsules, returns implants, and submits for insurance.
9. Florence Mussat, MD
Dr. Florence Mussat is the leading board-certified plastic and reconstructive surgeon specializing in breast explant in Chicago, IL. She completed her general surgery residency training and a critical care fellowship at The State University of New York Health Science Center in Brooklyn, NY. She has. Also completed a Plastic and Reconstructive residency at UIC, in Chicago, IL.
Dr. Mussat listens to BII concerns and performs en-bloc when the implant is placed over the muscle. If that’s not possible, she performs a total capsulectomy. Upon request, she takes pictures of the implants and capsules, returns implants, and submits for insurance. She has stopped performing all implant-based breast augmentations.
Dr. Mussat performs explant surgeries at Saint Joseph Hospital on Lake Shore Drive, Chicago. She is fluent in English and French and conversant in Spanish.
10. Shaher Khan, MD
Dr. Shaher Khan, the founder of Executive Plastic Surgeon, is double board-certified in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery and General Surgery. He’s one of the world’s leading supporters of BII and firmly advocates for legislative changes in passing breast implant informed consent laws in Michigan. So far, only two states have mandatory informed consent laws in place — Washington state and Arizona.
Dr. Khan has also formed a Breast Implant Illness Support Group on Facebook for “anyone dealing with Breast Implant Illness or interested in learning more about BII.” He says he’s never performed a breast augmentation in his career because he saw its devastating effects on patients when he was a medical student at Yale. He performs en-bloc surgeries whenever possible. Upon request, he takes pictures of the implants and capsules and returns implants.
During an interview with WXYZ Detroit, Dr. Khan said, “Every time I look at a capsule under the microscope, I see all the inflammation.” He links Breast Implant Illness to numerous symptoms and complications, including throat ailments, breathing issues, high blood pressure, skin rashes, thyroid imbalances, heart arrhythmia, and more.