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Breast Lift Type for Excess Skin and Large Areolas?

I have decided to remove my implants after 15 years without replacement. I have opted not to have any further surgeries and know I will have smaller breasts. I have textured saline 330cc implants over the muscle with a capsular contracture on right breast. Knowing that I will need to take care of the excess skin and larger areola, what type of breast lift would you recommend in my case?

Asked 27 months ago by breastconfused in Florida
Sort 15 expert answers by:
+2

Breast lift and removal of breast implants

The decision to remove your breast implants and have a breast lift is a difficult one, because you trade your implant problems for scars on your breasts. Looking at your photos it appears you will need a lift and the type depends on how much extra skin you have after implant removal. This is based on measurements before hand and during the operation, as well areolar reduction should be part of this procedure. I have a tendency not to push the verticle technique as it can leave bunching of... more
Andrew P. Trussler, MD
Dallas Plastic Surgeon
+2

Breast Lift After Implant Removal

Removal of breast implants leaves sagging breasts with significant amounts of excess skin. Your enlarged areolas are likely the result of the implants. The surgery entails resizing the areolas to the normal size of 38-45mm. This incision is then used to access the breast pocket. The implant and capsule are removed. Once this is done the excess skin is removed from around the the areola. The scars are going to end up around the areola, then a vertical scar down to the crease then... more
Christopher L. Hess, MD
Fairfax Plastic Surgeon
+2

Breast lift for excess skin and large areolas depends

There are two types of surgical procedures: Circumareolar lift (incision around the areola alone) -- with lifting and reshaping of the breast tissue. Vertical scar mastopexy (lollipop incision) -- with lifting and reshaping of the breast tissue. The Circumareolar lift can be done for those ith the sternal notch to nipple distance of less than 25cm after removal of the implants So the ability to use this procedure will be decided at the time of implant removal. The vertical scar mastopexy... more
Robert M. Freund, MD
New York Plastic Surgeon
+2

Best type of breast lift-removing implants.

Hi Breastconfused. I recommend a superior pedicle mastopexy with a lollipop scar. You might need a very short horizontal scar in the inframammary fold/crease. I also suggest some internal work on the breast mound, using sutures to lift and shape the breast itself. This will help improve the longevity of the lift. In addition, I favor using Quill sutures to produce a pretty scar, especially around the areola. Hope this helps. Tracy M. Pfeifer, MD, MS
Tracy Pfeifer, MD
Manhattan Plastic Surgeon
+2

You need a vertical breast lift with a lollipop scar.

Hi! Removing the breast implants and doing the breast lift can all be done together. The vertical breast lift gives you the best long term result because it shapes the breasts INTERNALLY, without relying on tightening the skin. Skin stretches, after all. And nobody needs the old fashioned "anchor" scar.
George J. Beraka, MD
Manhattan Plastic Surgeon
+2

Post-explantation lift

I believe you will probably do well with a vertical ift or lollipop incision. I don't think you wil need anything fancy since most of your issues will be related to volume loss not excess skin. I don't think you will have enough tissue to move around to make a significant difference and each extra manuveur adds certain risks. You don't want to make a mountain out of a mole hill. Scars are permanent and will your black skin I would want to minimize scars initially. You can always add scars... more
Robin T.W. Yuan, MD
Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon
+2

Mastopexy Breast lift with implant removal

SEE VIDEO BELOW FOR MASTOPEXY WITHOUT IMPLANTS BY CLICKING "MORE": I would recommend implant removal with a superior pedicle and transposition of redundant lower pole parenchymal tissues to the evacuated capsule using a vertical mastopexy approach or LeJour Modification. see video
Otto Joseph Placik, MD
Chicago Plastic Surgeon
+1

Type Of Breasts Lift?

Thank you for the question and pictures. I think that you are correct in that some type of breast lifting will be necessary after removal of the breast implants. It is likely that a “vertical” mastopexy plus/minus a short horizontal incision will be necessary to achieve the best results possible. I would suggest consultation with well experienced board-certified plastic surgeons. Make sure you see a significant number of before-and-after pictures and/or previous... more
Tom J. Pousti, MD
San Diego Plastic Surgeon
+1

Confused Breasts

I suspect you have already had your implants removed and surgery done. I would not only remove your implants if you desired but perform a complete capsulectomy to remove the scar tissue and allow the lifted breasts to get the best shape. As to the actual procedure for the lift, this would depend on the amount of excess skin. I would prefer to add a small vertical excision in addition to a periareolar lift due to the fact that if you attempt to remove to much excess skin with a periareolar of... more
Richard Linderman, MD
Indianapolis Plastic Surgeon
+1

Breast lift options after breast implant removal

There are a variety of breast lift techniques that can be used after breast implant removal. Most breast lifts have incisions around the areola, usually also including an incision from  the areola to the breast fold which serve to both to reduce the size of the areola and excess breast skin. At your plastic surgery consultation your treatment options will be discussed
Fredrick A. Valauri, MD
New York Plastic Surgeon
+1

Breast Lift type after removal of breast implants over the muscle

Your decision to remove the implants and have a lift is non-reversible. You must understand that removing your implants will NOT give you back the breasts you had before the implants were put in. The implants permanently changed the shape of the breast and made some of the breast tissue vanish (atrophy) forever. After the implants are removed, the breast will have a deflated appearance with a varying expression of a "Rock in a Sock" look. That will now be the starting point the... more
Peter A. Aldea, MD
Memphis Plastic Surgeon
+1

Breast Lift

Removal of breast implants and tightening skin excess is a common surgery. More importantly is your implant lies above the muscle, diredtly under the glandular tissue of the breast. I would have to examine you to define how much breast tissue is under the nipple areola complex. If there is very thin tissue, then you may want to remove the implants first and then 3-6months later see how much change occurs with reduction of the areola. The blood supply in thin breast tissue over an implant... more
Andrew Turk, MD
Naples Plastic Surgeon
+1

Breast lift after implant removal

 Without examining you, it would be difficult to suggest a specific lift operation. If you do not have a lot of breast tissue after removal of the implants, you may not have much if anything to pexy.
Steven Wallach, MD
Manhattan Plastic Surgeon
+1

Breast lift after implant removal

What you shoould do is have the implants out and then wait 3-6 months to see what things look like. At that time the skin and breast tissue should be stable in size and position. You will almost certainly need  a full breast lift with an "anchor" scar in order to deal with all the excess skin.
John P. Stratis, MD
Harrisburg Plastic Surgeon
+1

Breast lift choices

You will need a full lift to reduce the areolas and tighten the lax skin. You will see controversy about using a lollipop incision with no crease component or using a modified anchor incision with some crease element. Personally, I have not seen results from other surgeon's versions of the lollipop that in my opinion I like better than the results I get with the freehand central pedicle lift which has some scar in the crease.
Richard P. Rand, MD, FACS
Seattle Plastic Surgeon
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