Leading Expert for Breast Implant Removal and Reconstruction in Los Angeles
Dr. Raffy Karamanoukian is a board-certified plastic surgeon and a nationally recognized expert in breast implant removal. With over two decades of surgical experience, he specializes in complex explant procedures including total capsulectomy and en bloc removal. His meticulous attention to detail, advanced diagnostic techniques, and personalized patient care have made him the trusted choice for patients experiencing complications such as capsular contracture, breast implant illness (BII), and silicone migration. Dr. Karamanoukian’s dual expertise in plastic and microsurgery ensures natural, safe, and transformative results. Patients throughout Los Angeles and beyond seek his surgical skill and commitment to aesthetic restoration.
Concerns About Breast Implant Failure and Choices for Explantation
Although breast augmentation is a common procedure performed to enhance the size and volume of the breasts, there is still a subset of patients who develop complications from the procedure that may warrant the removal of the breast implants. Breast implant removal, also known as explant surgery, has become increasingly common as patients and clinicians learn more about autoimmune disease, implant malfunction, and the development of capsular contracture and implant rejection.
In Los Angeles, one of the most trusted names in breast implant removal is Professor Raffy Karamanoukian, a double board certified plastic surgeon with decades of experience and a dedication to patient safety and individualized surgical care.
Our dedicated plastic surgery team at Kare Plastic Surgery in Los Angeles can help you navigate the complex web of breast implant removal options including capsulectomy, capsulotomy, and complete breast implant removal. Dr. Karamanoukian and his clinical team provide comprehensive diagnostic and management care to ensure optimal outcomes with your surgery.
Top Reasons for Breast Implant Removal
In our Los Angeles plastic surgery practice, we see patients with many different types of complications arising from breast implants; including capsular contracture, implant malposition, ruptured implants, siliconomas, silicone migration, infection, hematoma formation, and autoimmune reaction to a failed breast implant.
Breast Implant Rupture:
Implant rupture can result in silicone or saline leakage into the surrounding tissue. Saline ruptures are usually immediately noticeable, while silicone ruptures may be "silent" and detected only through imaging. Removal is often recommended to prevent complications including the migration of silicone material into the body, autoimmune disease, and silicone granulomas.
Capsular Contracture:
This condition occurs when the scar tissue capsule around the implant hardens and constricts, causing pain, distortion, and firmness. Surgical capsulectomy is required to remove both the implant and the surrounding capsule and is sometimes covered by your medical insurance. Understanding the reasons why capsular contracture forms around an implant is complicated and multifactorial.
Breast Implant Illness (BII):
Many women report systemic symptoms such as fatigue, brain fog, joint pain, and autoimmune-like symptoms they attribute to breast implants. Although plastic surgeons are gathering increasing symptom data about autoimmune disease with breast implants; many patients experience immediate relief after explant surgery.
Implant Rippling or Malposition:
Aesthetic complications such as visible rippling, asymmetry, or implant displacement may prompt removal. This is particularly common with saline implants or subglandular placement. Some women just don’t like their breast implants and would rather have a more natural upper body without implants.
Pain and Discomfort:
Chronic pain around the breast area, often related to nerve compression or implant placement, is a key motivator for many women seeking implant removal.
The Top Choice for Breast Implant Removal in Los Angeles
When it comes to breast implant removal, a surgeon's expertise makes all the difference. Here are the top five reasons why Dr. Raffy Karamanoukian is considered the leading explant surgeon in Los Angeles:
Experience and Surgical Precision
Dr. Karamanoukian has performed hundreds of complex explant procedures with meticulous attention to detail. His focus on capsulectomy and en bloc explantation ensures that the entire implant and capsule are removed safely and completely. Many of these patients have had symptoms associated with breast implant illness or chronic autoimmune disease.
Board-Certifications and Credentials
Professor Karamanoukian is a double board-certified plastic surgeon, bringing a high level of skill and academic rigor to every case. His education and training include affiliations with top institutions in the U.S., giving patients confidence in his expertise. He actively participates in both basic science and clinical research and has recently presented his research data at leading conferences at UCLA and the California Society of Plastic Surgeons annual meetings.
Expertise in Free Silicone and Biopolymer Removal
Dr. Karamanoukian is internationally recognized for his management of free silicone migration and biopolymer complications. He uses advanced diagnostic imaging and customized surgical techniques to remove residual silicone from tissues, restoring health and contour to the soft tissue.
Personalized Care and Professionalism
Each patient is treated with compassion and respect. Dr. Karamanoukian ensures clear communication throughout the consultation and treatment process, emphasizing safety, informed decision-making, and post-operative support. He is a leader in the field of plastic surgery and maximizes patient-centered care to improve longterm results.
Comprehensive Aesthetic Management
Beyond removal, Dr. Karamanoukian evaluates breast ptosis (sagging), tissue quality, and skin elasticity to determine if a breast lift (mastopexy) or fat grafting is needed to restore natural shape and volume post-explant. Management of your breast implant removal can take several months to years in order to optimize cosmetic results.
Consultation for Breast Implant Removal
Consultation is a crucial step in the explant process. Dr. Karamanoukian provides an in-depth assessment that includes:
- Diagnostic Breast Ultrasound: Non-invasive imaging to evaluate implant integrity, capsule thickness, and presence of free silicone.
- Physical Breast Examination: Assessing skin tone, breast symmetry, signs of inflammation, and capsular contracture.
- Discussion of Breast Ptosis: A determination of how much sagging is present and whether a lift is needed post-removal.
- Medical History Review: Including symptoms of Breast Implant Illness, autoimmune disease, or previous surgeries.
- Customized Surgical Plan: Based on your unique anatomy and goals, with a discussion of techniques like total capsulectomy or en bloc removal.
Surgical Techniques: Capsulectomy or En Bloc Explantation or Direct Breast Implant Removal
Dr. Karamanoukian specializes in the following advanced explant techniques:
- Total Capsulectomy: Removal of the implant and all surrounding scar tissue (capsule).
- En Bloc Explantation: Removing the implant and capsule together as one unit to prevent contamination of the surrounding tissue.
- Free Silicone Extirpation: Carefully removing areas of silicone that have migrated outside the capsule, particularly in cases of ruptured silicone implants or illegal silicone injections. This is a subject of Professor Karamanoukian’s active basic science research and he studies surfactant agents that may help optimize removal of microscopic and nanoparticle silicone.
These methods minimize risk, prevent systemic exposure, and ensure a thorough resolution of symptoms.
Post-Operative Recovery and Results
Recovery varies based on the complexity of the case and whether additional procedures are performed (e.g., lift or fat grafting). In general:
- Initial Downtime: Most patients return to normal activities within 1-2 weeks.
- Scar Management: Dr. Karamanoukian provides advanced scar treatment protocols, including silicone sheeting and laser options.
- Emotional Support: Many women report significant relief and emotional clarity post-explant, particularly those suffering from BII. It is very interesting to monitor patient recovery after implant removal, as patients sometimes find relief from previously unexplained autoimmune disease.
- Natural Aesthetics: Final results often reflect a more natural breast shape and renewed body confidence.
Correct Timing of Breast Implant Removal
Women often delay explant surgery despite rapidly progressing data suggesting that some women benefit from the removal of breast implants. Patients should consider breast implant removal if there are symptoms suggesting intolerance to silicone or risk of rupture. Silent rupture of silicone into the capsular space may undermine the body’s ability to protect the soft tissue from an inflammatory reaction. If you are experiencing autoimmune related inflammation associated with the silicone breast implants, you may benefit from explantation.
- Chronic fatigue, brain fog, or joint pain.
- Asymmetry, hardness, or rippling of the breast implants.
- Mental anxiety or discomfort related to having implants.
- Autoimmune conditions or systemic inflammation worsened by silicone.
Early diagnosis and treatment can prevent long-term tissue damage and health risks. Dr. Karamanoukian is the leading expert in breast implant removal in Los Angeles.
If you're considering breast implant removal, trust your care to a physician with unparalleled experience and compassion. Dr. Raffy Karamanoukian combines:
- Advanced surgical skill with a personalized approach to your consultation.
- Deep expertise in capsulectomy and en bloc removal surgical options.
- Experience with complex cases of silicone migration and BII
- Meticulous attention to safety and aesthetics
As one of the most respected names in breast explant surgery in Los Angeles, Dr. Karamanoukian offers more than just a procedure—he delivers peace of mind, restored health, and natural beauty.
Book a consultation today to take the next step in your explant journey with the top surgeon for breast implant removal and capsulectomy in Los Angeles.