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Augusta · Evans · Columbia County
Feel like yourself again

Breast Explant
in Augusta, GA

★★★★★ 5.0 594 Google reviews

Breast explant — implant removal, with the scar-tissue capsule when needed — performed by Dr. Troy Austin, a double board-certified plastic surgeon who listens first. One surgeon, start to finish.

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En bloc or total?
Breast ◆ Body ◆ Face ◆ Injectables ◆ Lasers ◆ Hair Restoration ◆ Wellness ◆ Breast ◆ Body ◆ Face ◆ Injectables ◆ Lasers ◆ Hair Restoration ◆ Wellness ◆
Breast Explant

Removal, and renewal.

Dr. Troy Austin, MD, board-certified plastic surgeon in Augusta, GA

Medically reviewed by Dr. Troy Austin, MD — double board-certified plastic surgeon ◆ Updated July 2026

Breast explant surgery is the removal of breast implants — often together with the scar-tissue capsule that forms around them (a capsulectomy), which can be taken out in one intact piece (en bloc) when needed. Also called breast implant removal, it’s chosen for implant illness concerns, capsular contracture, rupture, or simply a change of heart. At Southeastern Aesthetic Surgery, Dr. Troy Austin performs it as an outpatient procedure under general anesthesia, usually in two to three hours.

Understand your options

Board certified

1 x

Dr. Austin is certified by both the American Board of Plastic Surgery and the American Board of Surgery — a distinction not every surgeon in the CSRA holds.

Hours, typical

2-

An outpatient procedure under general anesthesia in our own accredited on-site surgery center — not a rented hospital OR.

Starting price

$ 1

We publish a real starting number and give you an exact, all-in quote at consultation. Financing available.

Austin
Dr. Troy Austin, board-certified plastic surgeon and supervising physician at 7 Seas Medical Spa in Augusta, GA
Dr. Troy Austin Double board-certified
Your surgeon

A surgeon who listens first.

Many women considering explant have felt dismissed elsewhere. Dr. Austin doesn’t do that. He takes implant-related concerns seriously, examines you thoroughly, and gives you an honest plan — whether that’s a straightforward removal, a total or en bloc capsulectomy, or a removal combined with a lift. The surgeon who plans your explant is the surgeon who performs it, every time.

He is double board-certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and the American Board of Surgery, completed his plastic surgery fellowship at the Medical College of Georgia and his general surgery residency at the Ochsner Clinic Foundation in New Orleans.

If you believe your implants are affecting your health, I will listen and take it seriously — and I'll tell you honestly what removal can and cannot do for you. Dr. Troy Austin
Read his full bio

Credentials & affiliations

  • American Board of Plastic Surgery & American Board of Surgery
  • Fellowship — Medical College of Georgia
  • Member, ASAPS · ASPS · Georgia Society of Plastic Surgeons
Your options

Remove, lift, or replace?

Explant is rarely just “take them out.” The real questions are what to do about the capsule and what to do about shape. Dr. Austin walks you through each: removal alone, removal with a lift to address loose skin, removal with fat transfer to restore soft volume, or removal with smaller or different implants (an exchange). There is no single right answer — only the right one for your body and your reasons.

Compare your options
Compare your options

Four ways to finish an explant.

Every explant removes the implants. What you do about shape and volume is the choice — and these are often combined.

Removal onlyRemoval + LiftRemoval + Fat transferRemoval + New implants
Best forSmall implants, good skin tone, want fully naturalLoose or sagging skin after removalWant to restore soft, modest volume naturallyWant to stay fuller with smaller or different implants
Volume afterYour natural tissue onlyNatural tissue, lifted and firmerNatural tissue plus your own fatChosen implant size
Addresses saggingNoYesPartiallyPartially
Added downtimeLeastSomeSome (plus liposuction sites)Minimal
ScarsAlong the old incisionLift pattern (around areola ± vertical)Old incision + tiny lipo sitesAlong the old incision
The capsule

En bloc, total, or partial?

When implants are placed, your body forms a thin shell of scar tissue around them — the capsule. How much of it is removed is the most important technical decision in an explant, and Dr. Austin recommends the approach your situation actually calls for — never a bigger operation than you need.

Simple removal

The implant is removed and a healthy, thin capsule is left in place to be reabsorbed by the body. It’s the least invasive option and can be appropriate when there’s no rupture, contracture, or illness concern.

Total capsulectomy

The implant and the entire capsule are removed — though not necessarily in one piece. This is the most common choice when the capsule is thickened, calcified, or you want all of the scar tissue gone.

En bloc (total intact capsulectomy)

The implant and capsule are removed together as a single, sealed unit, so nothing inside the capsule contacts surrounding tissue. It’s the approach most often recommended for a ruptured silicone implant, suspected contamination, breast implant illness concerns, or BIA-ALCL — and it’s the most technically demanding.

Partial capsulectomy

Only part of the capsule is removed — used when a portion is fused to the chest wall or rib and removing it would risk injury. Dr. Austin will explain honestly if this is the safest choice for you.

Sent for analysis. When appropriate, the capsule and any fluid are sent to pathology to rule out BIA-ALCL and other findings — and your implants can be returned to you.

Investment

How much does breast explant cost in Augusta?

In the Augusta area, breast explant surgery typically ranges from $6,100 to $19,000 depending on the capsulectomy required and whether you add a lift, fat transfer, or new implants. Your exact, all-in price is confirmed in writing at your consultation.

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Explant with capsulectomy (removal only) Starts at $6,100
Explant with breast lift Starts at $11,750
Explant with fat transfer $12,500 – $19,000
Explant with implant exchange $10,500 – $15,000
Consultation with Dr. Austin $100

Every quote is individualized. Your exact price is confirmed in writing after your consultation, once Dr. Austin has assessed your implants, capsule, and goals.

A note on insurance

  • Rupture or leaking implant
  • Severe capsular contracture
  • Confirmed or suspected BIA-ALCL
  • Infection or other complications

Insurance may cover removal when it’s medically necessary (such as the situations above); explant for cosmetic reasons or implant-illness symptoms alone usually is not covered. We’ll help you understand where you stand. Financing is available through Cherry, CareCredit, PatientFi, and Alle Financing.

Honest answers

Breast implant illness, and life after explant.

Breast implant illness (BII)

Breast implant illness is the term patients and some physicians use for a cluster of systemic symptoms — fatigue, brain fog, joint pain, hair loss, rashes — attributed to implants. It is not yet a formal medical diagnosis and the research is still evolving, but the FDA acknowledges that some patients report these symptoms, and many patients describe meaningful improvement after removal. Dr. Austin won’t dismiss your experience or over-promise a cure. He’ll listen, examine you, and give you a straight, evidence-based assessment — and when it’s appropriate, perform a total or en bloc capsulectomy and send tissue for analysis.

What your breasts look like afterward

Right after removal, breasts look smaller and may seem deflated — this is normal. Skin that stretched around an implant needs time to retract, and over the following weeks to months many patients see their breasts “fluff” and soften into a natural shape. The final look depends on your implant size, how long they were in, your skin quality, and your own tissue. If you have loose skin or sagging, a lift restores a firmer shape; if you want to replace lost softness, fat transfer adds gentle, natural volume. Dr. Austin will set honest expectations before surgery, not after.

Recovery

  • Days 1–2: rest with soreness and swelling, well managed with medication; drains are sometimes used and removed within days.
  • Days 3–7: many return to desk work and light activity in a supportive surgical bra.
  • Weeks 2–4: swelling settles; if a lift or fat transfer was added, shape continues to refine.
  • Weeks 4–6: most return to full activity and exercise; tissue keeps softening for months.

You will be heard.

If you’ve felt dismissed about your implants elsewhere, your consultation with Dr. Austin starts by listening.

Good to know

Breast Explant Questions.

What is breast explant surgery?

Breast explant surgery is the removal of breast implants, also called breast implant removal. It is often combined with removal of the scar-tissue capsule around the implant (a capsulectomy), which can be taken out in one intact piece (en bloc) when there’s a rupture, contamination concern, or implant-illness symptoms. Dr. Austin performs it as an outpatient procedure under general anesthesia.

En bloc means removing the implant and its scar-tissue capsule together as one sealed unit, so nothing inside the capsule touches surrounding tissue. It’s most often recommended for a ruptured silicone implant, suspected contamination, breast implant illness concerns, or BIA-ALCL. A healthy, thin capsule can sometimes be left in place. Dr. Austin recommends the approach your situation calls for — total, en bloc, partial, or simple removal.

At Southeastern Aesthetic Surgery, explant with capsulectomy starts around $6,100, and more when combined with a lift, fat transfer, or new implants. Your written quote is confirmed at consultation and includes the surgeon’s fee, anesthesia, accredited facility, and follow-up care. Financing is available through Cherry, CareCredit, PatientFi, and Alle Financing.

Sometimes. Insurance may cover removal when it’s medically necessary — for example, a ruptured implant, severe capsular contracture, infection, or confirmed or suspected BIA-ALCL. Removal for cosmetic reasons or for implant-illness symptoms alone is usually not covered. Our team can help you understand where your situation may fall and what documentation is needed.

Right after removal, breasts look smaller and can appear deflated — this is normal. Skin that stretched around the implant needs time to retract, and over weeks to months many patients see their breasts “fluff” and soften into a natural shape. If you have loose skin, a lift restores firmness; if you want to replace lost softness, fat transfer adds gentle natural volume. Dr. Austin sets honest expectations before surgery.

Not necessarily. If your implants were small and your skin has good tone, removal alone can look natural. If there’s sagging or loose skin, a lift is often added; if you want to restore modest volume, fat transfer is an option. You can also wait and decide on a lift later, once you’ve seen how your breasts settle.

Many patients report meaningful improvement in symptoms after removal, but breast implant illness is not yet a formal diagnosis and outcomes vary, so no honest surgeon can guarantee a specific result. Dr. Austin takes these concerns seriously, listens without dismissing you, and gives an evidence-based assessment of what removal can and cannot do.

Most patients rest for a day or two, return to desk work within about a week in a supportive surgical bra, and are back to full activity by four to six weeks. Drains are sometimes used and removed within days. If a lift or fat transfer is added, recovery is a little longer.

Yes. If you’d like to stay fuller, Dr. Austin can remove your current implants and place smaller or different ones in the same operation (an exchange). He’ll discuss whether that’s right for your goals, or whether removal with a lift or fat transfer suits you better.

Absolutely — many explant patients travel to find a surgeon they trust. Start with a virtual consultation, sharing your implant history and photos so your plan is ready before you arrive. We help coordinate surgery and recovery around your travel, and Augusta Regional Airport is about 20 minutes away.

Service area

Serving Augusta and the wider CSRA.

Our practice sits just off River Watch Parkway in Augusta, minutes from Evans and Martinez and a straight shot from I-20. Patients come to us from across Columbia and Richmond counties and from across the Savannah River in South Carolina.

Prefer to start from home? Virtual consultations are available, a convenient first step before you travel to Augusta.

See directions & drive times
Augusta
Evans
Martinez
Grovetown
Columbia County
Hephzibah
Harlem
Appling
North Augusta, SC
Aiken, SC
Thomson
Waynesboro

Traveling to Augusta for explant?

Explant patients often travel to find a surgeon they trust. Many of Dr. Austin’s come from Atlanta, Columbia, Savannah, Charlotte and beyond. Augusta Regional Airport (AGS) is roughly 20 minutes from our surgery center, with several hotels within a short drive.

Start with a virtual consultation — share your implant history and photos, and Dr. Austin will outline your options before you travel. Complete pre-op labs locally, and plan to stay in the Augusta area for anywhere from 1 to 10 days after surgery, depending on your case, for your first follow-up. Our team helps coordinate scheduling, lodging, and remote aftercare.

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Patient experiences

What our patients say.

5.0 Based on 594 Google reviews
Ratings and reviews from Google Maps

From my initial consultation through my procedure, my experience was nothing short of exceptional. Every step of the process was informative, professional, and reassuring. Dr. Austin and his entire staff were incredibly patient, attentive, and always willing to answer any questions I had. The level of customer service and hospitality exceeded my expectations. Everyone made me feel comfortable, valued, and confident in my decision throughout the entire journey. Dr. Austin’s expertise, compassion, and dedication to his patients are truly remarkable. I feel extremely blessed to have had Dr. Austin as my surgeon and would highly recommend him and his facility to anyone considering a procedure. Thank you for providing such outstanding care and an amazing experience.

I had an amazing experience with Dr. Austin and the entire staff during my implants exchange procedure. From the very beginning, everyone made me feel safe, comfortable, and truly cared for. Dr. Austin was professional, knowledgeable, and took the time to answer all of my questions, which gave me so much confidence throughout the process. The staff was kind, supportive, and welcoming every step of the way. I’m very grateful for the excellent care I received and highly recommend Dr. Austin and his team!.

I cannot say enough good things about Dr. Austin and his team!!! From the time you walk in until the time you leave they make you feel like the only patient in the building. Dr. Austin is truly wonderful. Before surgery my consult was very thorough and he answered every question I had. The medical staff and Dr. Austin made surgery day and recovery a breeze. The surgery center is immaculate with wonderful pre and post op staff which was important to me as a nurse myself. Having my surgery with Dr. Austin and his team was the best decision I ever made. Book that consultation and surgery!!! You will NOT regret it. I have never been happier with my body and my confidence is back!

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Visit us

In Augusta — and worth the drive.

Our surgery center sits just off River Watch Parkway, an easy drive from Evans, Martinez, Grovetown, and Columbia County, plus North Augusta and Aiken across the river. Many explant patients travel from across Georgia and the Southeast; Augusta Regional Airport (AGS) is close by, and our team helps out-of-town patients coordinate every visit. Depending on your case, plan to remain in the Augusta area anywhere from 1 to 10 days after surgery so Dr. Austin can see you for your first follow-up.

Southeastern Aesthetic Surgery

225 Cooper Ct
Augusta, GA 30907
(706) 854-2080
Mon–Thu 8:30am – 5:00pm · Fri 8:30am – 2:00pm

Approx. drive times

  • Martinez, GA 7 min
  • Evans, GA 11 min
  • Downtown Augusta, GA 17 min
  • North Augusta, SC 17 min
  • Grovetown, GA 22 min
  • Aiken, SC 38 min
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★★★★★ 5.0 594 Google reviews