What is the right breast procedure for me?

Armando Soto, MD answers: Breast implant replacement or lift after capsular contracture?

I am a 39 years old with 300 cc saline textured breast implants over the muscle for 15 years. Almost a year ago, I noticed hardness and discomfort on my right implant and confirmed I have a grade 2 capsular contracture. I am undecided whether to replace implants with smooth saline ones or remove them altogether and get a breast lift.

I was a size A breast but have had 2 kids. I am a full B cup with implants. I wonder if having the additional scars from a breast lift with smaller breasts will be more difficult psychologically than just having them replaced? My objective is really to avoid having further breast surgeries!


Armando Soto, MD
23 days ago

Hi there-

The best advice I could give you, and it is what I would tell my sister, is that you first must firmly decide what you would like to look like, taking into consideration all of your other thoughts about your preferred lifestyle, clothing choices, etc...

Once you have a good understanding of the appearance that you want to present to the world; the one that will keep you smiling as you walk by mirrors and shop windows, then it's appropriate to research the options for achieving that look.

It is my opinion that, depending on the above, you could achieve a very pleasing and natural outcome by removing the current implants with their associated scar tissue, and replacing them with new implants under your muscle. At the time you had the initial operation the prevailing wisdom differed from today- but I can tell you that placement of textured saline implants on top of the chest muscle is not a technique I would ever recommend nowadays...

Alternatively, removing the implants and having a breast lift would also give you pretty breasts- but they would of course be smaller and less full. Only you can decide whether the scars of a breast lift are worth it or not, and of course, this depends a lot on the way they heal...

Your decision should be based on whether you prefer the breast size and silhouette you currently enjoy, or if you would rather be free of the implants, have smaller breasts, but with some additional skin scars. (BTW, the scars don't need to be heinous- find a surgeon who can show you photos of prior patients with scars that are thin and inconspicuous).

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