Is it possible to have normal looking breasts after explant surgery?

I have had saline breast implants for 8 years and am scared of the aesthetic outcome should I have them removed. I am 29 years old, I have very little breast tissue and stretch marks on my breasts from having a baby. I have constant aches and pains in my left breast. I have considered get revision surgery, but what I really want is them to be taken out. I have been researching this for a year now and would really like some advice (especially when it comes to finding the right surgeon to remove them).

5 answers to “Is it possible to have normal...”

A: Breast shape after explantation

Kevin Brenner, MD

If you are planning on having your implants removed permanently, you may need to have the following done: 1) Implant removal; 2) Capsule removal; 3) Breast lift. Without examining you, it is difficult to say which of these you will require. Some patients will require all three. Some patients can avoid a... more

A: Explanting implants

Steven Wallach, MD

It is very difficult to give you a correct answer.  Women that have alot of native breast tissue with implants can have reasonable looking breasts provided that the original implants were not too large, and they have good skin quality.  ON the other hand, I have taken implants out on some very small... more

A: Do I need a lift after removing implants

Otto Joseph Placik, MD

It is not uncommon for plastic surgeons to stage or separate these operations. No one can predict for sure, how your breasts will look after downsizing. It may depend on the size of your implant. Removing a 200cc implant is very different than removing a 600cc  implant. Let me offer an analogy which may... more

A: Few options

Hisham Seify, MD, PhD

Removing the implant will make your breast saggy and you might need a lift. The main issue you will have to deal with is the deflated look specialy that you do not have much breast tissue. The only answer available is using fat grafting for augmentation. You have to understand that this is a very controversial... more

A: You may need Breast Lift after explantation

Kamran Khoobehi, MD

You will need to have a consultation with a board certified plastic surgeon. You have extra skin that may require a lift and removal of the extra skin. Your best option is to have explantation and wait at least a month for a breast lift. I have been doing explantation and fat grafting for patients that do not... more

Comments

jrhae
8 posts
11 Mar 2009

I had saline implants for 11 years. I had them taken out 7 months ago. I went to a surgeon who has performed over 1000 explants. He also does an internal lift at the same time. I am extremely happy with my results. I look so much thinner and healthier without the implants.

Bonnie04
1 post
15 Mar 2009

For the person who had her implants removed, do you mind me asking what cc's you had? I have 350 cc for 8 yrs. and would like to have them removed. I don't mind looking smaller or flat chested (just really tired of the implant look)but I'm afraid of going through another surgery. How was the recovery? And my plastic surgeon wasn't as nice when I went back in for a consultation for the removal. Was it hard finding a surgeon?

Sharon from RealSelf
1408 posts
27 Apr 2009

You can find a list of surgeons in your area using RealSelf's Find a Doctor directory. Good luck!

Karen41
11 posts
28 Apr 2009

Ladies, there are several websites with stories of women who became very sick from implant related diseases and have their implants removed. Others just didnt like anymore the way they looked and also had them taken out. Please have a look and you will find a website -google something like breast implant support- and you find a fantastic forum with plenty of information, including experienced PS who perform explants. Good luck to you all, Im also on the road to explantation and doing a lot of research at the moment.

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