Why Patients Are Ditching Their Breast Implants

Plastic Surgery Practice Co-Chief Editor Keri Stephens sits down with New York-based board-certified plastic surgeon and microsurgical breast reconstruction guru Constance Chen, MD, FACS, to discuss the breast implant explantation process. The podcast, which follows Chen’s article about the topic, delves into why patients are increasingly removing their breast implants and what factors affect the appearance of their breasts post-explanation. Pregnancy, she says, is a key determinant. 
 
Chen also shares how explant patients can enhance their appearance via fat grafting, although she calls it far “less predictable” than other methods. Finally, Chen addresses breast reconstruction patients, in particular, and reveals why plastic surgeons need to think beyond breast implants and embrace flap-based procedures. She also highlights the trend of women forgoing reconstruction and staying flat. And, that, Chen contends, is a perfectly viable option as well.