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John LoMonaco, MD answers: Unilateral or bilateral explantation?

Hello Doctors - What are the pros and cons of unilateral vs bilatral explantation of breast implants when one side of the breast is fine? If I have the implant removed from the problematic breast, I may not be able to have the same size inserted again but a smaller implant, right?

Right now I am seeing rippling with the same size implant (275cc after multiple surgeries on the same breast even with silicone under the muscle). Would I achieve better results if I leave it out for a year and let things heal up?


John LoMonaco, MD
5 months ago

If your implants are older, or if the correction on the affected side requires a differently sized or shaped implant then a bilateral exchange makes sense.

Rippling can be a tough problem, especialy in thin individuals, and you already have gel implants under the muscle.  Hard to go beyond that, except perhaps total muscular coverage which has it's own set of problems.

Leaving the implants out for a year is good if the pocket and or skin has been stretched and you want to let things return to their shape as much as possible before moving ahead.  Not sure it would help your situation that much.

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