You’ve probably heard the name in Facebook groups or on Instagram. Someone mentions "Dr. Rankin in Jupiter," and suddenly there’s a flurry of comments from women sharing their recovery photos and "explant anniversaries." It sounds like a cult, but it’s actually just a very specific, very busy medical practice in South Florida.
Dr. David Rankin isn't your typical Beverly Hills-style plastic surgeon. While he’s based in the affluent town of Jupiter, Florida, his reputation isn't built on the "Instagram Face" or over-the-top enhancements. He’s become the go-to guy for something much more specific: taking things out.
Specifically, breast implants.
The Explant Specialist of South Florida
Honestly, most plastic surgeons prefer putting implants in. It’s a straightforward, relatively quick procedure. Taking them out? That’s messy. It’s complicated. And if you’re doing a "Total Capsulectomy" or "En Bloc" removal—where the surgeon removes the implant along with the entire scar tissue capsule in one piece—it requires a level of patience many high-volume surgeons just don't want to deal with.
Dr. David Rankin at Aqua Plastic Surgery has basically staked his entire career on this niche. He’s performed thousands of these surgeries. People fly into West Palm Beach from all over the world, grab an Uber to Jupiter, and check into a local hotel just to have him perform their explant.
Why? Because for a lot of these patients, this isn't about aesthetics. It’s about Breast Implant Illness (BII).
What’s the Deal With "Jupiter" and Explanting?
Jupiter, Florida, has become a sort of pilgrimage site for the BII community. If you search for Dr David Rankin Jupiter, you aren't just finding a doctor; you're finding a hub for women who feel they've been "gaslighted" by the traditional medical establishment.
BII is a controversial topic in the medical world. Many doctors still don’t officially recognize it as a formal diagnosis. Patients report a wild range of symptoms:
- Brain fog that feels like early-onset dementia.
- Chronic joint and muscle pain.
- Random rashes and hair loss.
- Crippling fatigue that coffee can't touch.
Rankin gained massive trust because he was one of the first prominent surgeons to actually listen. He doesn't tell patients it's "all in their head." Instead, he focuses on the "En Bloc" method to ensure that if there is a slow leak or inflammation from the capsule, everything is removed without contaminating the chest cavity.
The Guy Behind the Scalpel
Dr. Rankin is a board-certified plastic surgeon. That’s the gold standard. He did his training at places like Columbia University and the University of Michigan, so the "street cred" is there. But he’s also a bit of an artist—literally. He’s a semi-professional photographer and a percussionist.
You can see that artistic lean in his work. Explanting often leaves the breasts looking "deflated," for lack of a better word. It’s a major concern for women. Rankin is known for his aesthetic flat closures and breast lifts (mastopexy) that happen simultaneously with the removal. He’s trying to put the pieces back together, not just take the "bags" out.
He’s currently the Chief of Plastic Surgery at St. Mary’s Medical Center, so he’s deeply embedded in the Florida medical scene. He’s not some rogue doctor operating out of a basement.
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Breaking Down the Surgery: What Actually Happens?
Let's talk logistics. If you're looking into Dr David Rankin Jupiter for a procedure, you’re probably wondering what the day-of looks like.
He uses something called TIVA. That stands for Total Intravenous Anesthesia. Most people are used to the gas mask—the stuff that makes you wake up feeling like you’ve been on a tilt-a-whirl for three hours. TIVA is different. It’s delivered through an IV. Patients usually wake up faster and with way less nausea.
The surgery itself usually takes about two hours.
One thing Rankin is strict about? Drains.
Nobody likes drains. They’re annoying, they leak, and you have to empty them. But he uses them with every explant to prevent fluid buildup (seromas). You’re usually stuck with them for about five days. If you’re traveling to Jupiter for the surgery, you’ll likely have your follow-up in his office around day five to get those tubes pulled out before you fly home.
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Reality Check: Is It Worth It?
Look, surgery is expensive. Traveling for surgery is even more expensive. Between the surgeon's fee, the facility fee, the anesthesia, the hotel, and the flights, you’re looking at a significant investment.
Is Dr. Rankin the only guy who can do an En Bloc explant? No.
But in the world of BII, "experience" is the currency. When a guy has done 500+ of these a year for years on end, he’s seen every complication possible. He knows how to peel a capsule off a rib or a lung lining without causing a pneumothorax. That’s what people are paying for.
There are critics, of course. Some in the medical community think the "BII" surge is a social media phenomenon. But for the women who wake up from Rankin's table and find their brain fog lifted within 24 hours? They don't care about the academic debate. They just care that they feel human again.
Traveling to Jupiter for Surgery
If you’re planning a trip to see Dr David Rankin Jupiter, here’s the "boots on the ground" advice:
- The Consultation: It’s often done virtually first. Don't expect a 2-hour chat; he’s efficient.
- Recovery: Don’t plan on hitting the beach. You’ll be hunched over for a few days.
- The "Drop and Fluff": This is a term you’ll hear in his circles. After the implants are gone, the breast tissue takes months to settle. Don't panic at the 2-week mark if things look "weird."
- Post-Op: You can’t lift anything heavy for weeks. If you’re a mom with toddlers, you’re going to need serious help.
Actionable Steps for Prospective Patients
- Join the Groups: Before booking, join the "Breast Implant Illness and Healing" groups on Facebook. Search for Rankin’s name. You’ll see raw, unedited photos of his work from real patients.
- Check the Credentials: Always verify any surgeon through the American Board of Plastic Surgery.
- Request the Pathology: If you do go through with it, ask for the capsules to be sent to pathology. It’s the only way to know if there were any underlying issues like BIA-ALCL (a rare lymphoma).
- Prep Your Recovery Kit: Buy your button-down shirts and mastectomy pillows before you head to Jupiter. You won't want to be shopping for supplies while you have surgical drains hanging out of your sides.