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Can I Get Implants (Subpectorally) Even Though I Had Implants Removed?

asked 2 years ago by 2nd Time in Clearwater, FL
Latest answer by Lavinia Chong, MD
Question viewed 451 times
Tags: breasts, under muscle

I had a breast augmentation 10 years ago and had them removed 8 years ago. I would like to get them again and had 3 consults. Two of the doctors tell me that it's just as if I never had them before and starting from scratch. The third doctor tells me that after removal my muscle has most likely scarred and fused back to my rib cage - so I won't be able to go under the muscle again and will have to go over. All doctors are reputable in this area. Does anyone have experience with this?

18 answers to Can I Get Implants (Subpectorally) Even Though I Had Implants Removed?

Dual plane or subpectoral pocket is possible.

While I agree with your consultant who predicted scarring in the subpectoral plane, it hasn't been my experience that the extent of scarring prohibits the elevation of the pectoralis major muscle again, unless there has been loss of the muscle, due to surgical removal (debridement) or if the muscle is congenitally short. Often individuals who have abnormalities of the rib cage and/or breast bone will have "short" muscles. When trying to implant a large volume,... more

Lavinia Chong, MD
Orange County Plastic Surgeon

Repeating submuscular breast augmentation

After 8 years, the scar tissue joining your muscle to your chest wall will have softened allowing your surgeon to place the implants under the muscle. Even if the scar tissue is prevalant, a new plane may be made between the muscle and the old scar tissue, in essence starting from scratch. In the vast number of cases, a subpectoral placement is superior therefore don't hesitate to go that route if your surgeon feels that's best for you.

Michael Baroody, MD
Danbury Plastic Surgeon

Repeat placement of implants under the muscle

Hi there- Placing your implants under your muscle may be a bit more tricky because of the scar tissue present as a result of your prior operations, but possible.

Armando Soto, MD
Orlando Plastic Surgeon

www.DrArmandoSoto.com

Implants under the muscle

It is possible to place a new implant under the muscle. Secondary breast surgery does require more skill due to the expected scar tissue. Also important is which incision was used the first time, the armpit, areola or inframammary crease. Most of the time we can use the previous incision. There may be pocket scar tissue between the muscle and chest wall that has to be removed. If this is too difficult to fix, the implant can be placed above the muscle. If there are changes in the amount... more

Andrew Turk, MD
Naples Plastic Surgeon

Consider subfascial for repeat breast augmentation

There will definitely be some scarring under the muscle, and the problem this can pose is that the muscle may be stiffer from the scar tissue and not drape over the implant as nicely. As the others said, you don't know fir sure until you actually get in there. Another option is subfascial, which is above the muscle but under a tissue layer called the fascia which is in front of the muscle. We use this a lot for athletic women who don't want the implants under but need a little more support... more

Richard Baxter, MD
Seattle Plastic Surgeon

Implants can go below muscle after explantation

The area will be more scarred but it should be possible to go under the muscle. the best approach wuld be to attempt to go under the muscle but keep the door open to going above. to this end you should likely choose a gel implant.

Michael Weinberg, MD
Toronto Plastic Surgeon

Breast implants can go under muscle.

Hi. This is not a problem. Just takes a little experience. Breast implants can go under the muscle again, if that's what's best for your anatomy.

George J. Beraka, MD
Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Implant redo

If you no longer have implants in, you can probably go in either plane ( under the muscle or over) for the same reasons that you would have if you never had them before.

Steven Wallach, MD
Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Can get implants subpectorally

Yes of course. What makes you think you can not? Please see three boarded plastic surgeons in your area so you can determine from an in person examination what is best for you. From MIAMI

Darryl J. Blinski, MD
Miami Plastic Surgeon

Using an old subpectoral pocket for new implants

If your implants were initially removed for infection or bleeding, the tissues may be very stuck down, and it may be impossible to open that area again for new implants. that being said, most surgeons in this forum have probably experienced the opposite situation as well, in which the pocket opened easily. It will impossible to tell until the time of surgery, so you may need to be prepared to wake up with implants either above or below the muscle depending upon what your surgeon... more

Nina S. Naidu, MD
New York Plastic Surgeon

Secondary placement of subpectoral implants is possible, but more difficult

It's impossible to know before surgery how many adhesions (scar) have formed between the undersurface of the pectoralis muscles and the chest wall. Sometimes, placing the implants beneath the muscle is still quite straight forward - in other circumstances, it can be technically challenging, though still usually possible. Hope this helps. Best of luck.

Sam Jejurikar, MD
Dallas Plastic Surgeon

Implants after removal of old ones

I see no reason why it is not possible. As has been said in this post it is technically more difficult but certainly can be done. Your surgeon always has the option of going over the muscle if the scarring is too extensive or the tissue is not giving properly but that is a decision left to the surgeon at the time of surgery. Before you proceed with this type of surgery, check out your surgeon to make sure he/she has had a lot of experience dealing with secondary breast surgery. Good luck. more

Steven Schuster, MD
Boca Raton Plastic Surgeon

www.schusterplasticsurgery.com

Repeat subpectoral implants

I agree that the ultimate determination of where your new implants can best be placed will occur intraoperatively. I feel that it is very likely that the submuscular location can again be utilized. However, if the scarring that is encountered is so severe that proceeding in that plane may be dangerous then the implants should be placed subglandularly.

John Whitt, MD
Louisville Plastic Surgeon

Repeating breast augmentation surgery

It is certainly possible to go back under the muscle, but your surgeon won't know for sure until he's there-- it's been years since your last procedure and it's hard to know what everything will look like, how the muscle has healed, etc. Usually in these situations, the goal would be to place the implants behind the muscle, but your surgeon would probably tell you in advance that if this isn't possible, he or she will place them in front instead.

Shahram Salemy, MD
Seattle Plastic Surgeon

Secondary Implants

Yes, you can have new implants placed after having implants removed. However, the surgery is not as straight-forward as the primary surgery. After having the implants removed, there is likely scar tissue between the muscle and chest wall which requires more time and skill than the original surgery. I hope this is helpful.

David Shafer, MD
New York Plastic Surgeon

Replacing Implants years later

CAN you have implants placed under the muscle 8 years after they were removed? Probably. You did not mention why your implants were removed. The body abhors open spaces and seeks to close them with scar tissue. The more intense the inflammatory process (?infection) or the surgery to remove the implants (was a capsulectomy done at that time?), the more intense the scarring process. The condition of the muscle wound depend on its position, blood supply and extent of scarring. In many cases, a... more

Peter A. Aldea, MD
Memphis Plastic Surgeon

Replacing implants after 8 year delay: under the muscle.

Certainly, it will be more difficult to go under the muscle due to the previous surgery in this location and the added scar tissue but it should be possible.

Otto Joseph Placik, MD
Chicago Plastic Surgeon

Repeat breast augmentation

Probably it will be possible to go back under the muscle but with an experienced surgeon, if that is not technically feasible, they can simply go above the muscle. You can't tell until your in there.