Taking breast implants out sounds like it should be simpler and cheaper than putting them in. Sometimes it is. But "explant" covers everything from a short outpatient removal to a long operation that removes the scar capsule around each implant, reshapes the breast and sends tissue to a lab. The price follows the operation, so the first job is to work out which version you are actually buying.
The published US benchmark
The ASPS 2024 Average Surgeon/Physician Fees (USD) lists breast implant removal (for augmentation patients) at a surgeon fee of $3,650–$6,500. The same table puts breast augmentation at $4,575–$8,000 and breast lift at $6,500–$11,000. All three figures are surgeon fees from ASPS member surgeons; facility, anesthesia and lab costs come on top.
Those neighboring figures matter because many explant patients end up combining removal with a lift or with new implants. Your quote may look more like the sum of two lines in that table than like the removal line alone.
Four versions of "implant removal"
1. Removal only
The surgeon takes out the implants, typically through the original incision, and leaves the surrounding capsule in place. This is the shortest version and usually the least expensive.
2. Removal with partial or total capsulectomy
The capsule is the layer of scar tissue the body forms around any implant. Removing some or all of it lengthens the operation, can require a larger incision and may involve more careful work near the chest wall. Expect higher facility and anesthesia charges because of the added time.
3. En bloc removal
In an en bloc removal, the implant and its capsule are taken out together as one unit. Surgeons may recommend this in specific clinical situations. It is technically demanding and is usually among the longest and costliest explant options. Whether it is appropriate for you is a medical decision for your surgeon, not a pricing choice.
4. Removal plus reshaping or replacement
After implants come out, some patients want a lift to address loose skin, some want fat transferred to restore volume, and some want new implants. Each choice adds a procedure and a fee.
| Scenario | Relevant ASPS 2024 surgeon-fee line (USD) | What else drives the total |
|---|---|---|
| Removal only | Implant removal: $3,650–$6,500 | Short case; facility and anesthesia still billed |
| Removal with capsulectomy | Implant removal line, often with a higher surgeon fee for added complexity | Longer operating time, pathology, possible drains |
| Removal and lift | Removal plus breast lift ($6,500–$11,000) | Combined-procedure discount varies by surgeon |
| Removal and new implants | Augmentation line ($4,575–$8,000) covers implant placement including revisions | Price of the implant devices themselves |
| Removal and fat transfer | Augmentation with fat grafting only: $5,500–$9,500 | Liposuction donor sites, operating time |
The extra lines specific to explant
Beyond the usual surgeon, facility and anesthesia lines, explant bills often include items that a first-time augmentation patient never saw.
- Pathology. If capsule tissue is removed, surgeons commonly send it to a lab. Ask whether that cost is included and whether you will get the report.
- Imaging before surgery. Your surgeon may want an ultrasound or MRI to check implant integrity before planning. That is billed separately, often by a radiology group.
- Drains. Capsulectomy and lifts sometimes use drains, which add supplies and a removal visit.
- Old implant records. Knowing the manufacturer, type and size of your current implants helps planning. Retrieving operative records from an old practice is usually free, but it takes time — start early.
When insurance may be involved
Whether insurance contributes depends on why the implants are coming out and what your plan's written policy says. Elective removal for personal preference is generally treated as cosmetic. Removal related to a documented complication, or implants originally placed for reconstruction after breast cancer, may be handled differently depending on the plan.
The useful step is concrete: ask your insurer for its written medical policy on breast implant removal and find out whether prior authorization is required. If the removal is approved but you add a lift or replacement implants, expect the cosmetic portion to be billed to you, including a share of operating time.
What to ask a surgeon before you get a number
- Which version of removal are you recommending for me, and why?
- How long do you expect the operation to take?
- Will capsule tissue be sent to pathology, and is that included?
- Do you anticipate needing drains?
- Do I need imaging first, and can I bring results from elsewhere?
- What is your fee if I add a lift now versus later?
- What happens to the price if you find something during surgery that changes the plan?
The last question deserves a written answer. Some practices quote a range that covers a decision made in the operating room; others quote the simpler case and bill the difference afterward.
Now or later: the staging decision
Some surgeons prefer to remove implants first and let the tissue settle before deciding on a lift. Others will do both in one operation. The one-stage approach usually costs less in total because you pay for one operating session, one anesthesia episode and one recovery. The staged approach may give a better-informed result for some patients but means two sets of facility and anesthesia charges — and, for travelers, two trips. Your surgeon's recommendation should drive this, but you should know what each path costs before agreeing.
Explant abroad: points to check
We are not publishing a Colombian price range for explant surgery because we have not found an independent published source we trust. If you are comparing a quote from Colombia or elsewhere with a US quote, focus on these:
- The procedure description. Make sure the foreign quote names the same version of removal your home surgeon described. "Explant" on one quote and "explant with total capsulectomy" on another are not comparable.
- Lab handling. Ask where pathology is done and how you will receive the report in a language you can read.
- Records to bring home. Request the operative report and pathology report in writing so your home doctor can continue care.
- Stay length. If drains are used, the surgeon may want you nearby until they are removed. That sets your minimum stay.
- Currency and validity. Confirm the currency of the quote and how long the price holds.
Recovery costs after explant
Recovery after a simple removal is often shorter than after the original augmentation, while capsulectomy or a combined lift can mean a longer recovery. Ask your surgeon for expected time off work and lifting restrictions for your specific plan, and budget for supportive bras or garments they recommend.
A worked example of reading two quotes
Imagine you hold two quotes. One lists only "implant removal" at a single figure. The other lists surgeon, facility, anesthesia, total capsulectomy, pathology and drains. The second will almost always look more expensive. Before concluding that, ask the first practice whether its price includes capsule removal at all. If it does not, the two quotes describe different operations, and the comparison you need is between the second quote and the first practice's capsulectomy price.
The bottom line
The ASPS 2024 surgeon fee for implant removal, $3,650–$6,500, describes only one part of one version of the operation. Capsulectomy, lab work, imaging and reshaping can each add to the bill, and combining procedures can save money compared with staging them. Get a written description of exactly what will be done, then confirm the current itemized price with the provider.
Related reading
Frequently asked questions
How much does breast implant removal cost?
ASPS reports a 2024 US surgeon fee of $3,650–$6,500 (USD) for implant removal in augmentation patients. Facility, anesthesia, pathology and any imaging are typically added, and the total rises if a capsulectomy, lift or replacement implants are part of the plan.
Does a capsulectomy cost more than simple removal?
Usually, because removing the scar capsule adds operating time and complexity, which raises facility and anesthesia charges, and tissue is commonly sent for pathology. Ask your surgeon to quote both options if they are clinically reasonable for you.
Is it cheaper to have a lift at the same time as implant removal?
Combining procedures generally avoids paying twice for the facility and anesthesia, so the total is often lower than staging. Some surgeons prefer to stage for clinical reasons, so ask for the price of both paths.
Will insurance pay for my implants to be removed?
It depends on your plan and the reason for removal. Elective removal is generally considered cosmetic, while removal for certain documented complications or after reconstruction may be reviewed differently. Ask your insurer for its written policy and prior-authorization rules.
Do I need an MRI or ultrasound before explant surgery?
Some surgeons request imaging to check the implants before planning. It is billed separately from surgery, so ask whether it is needed and whether recent results from another provider can be used.
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