Can Under Muscle Breast Implants be Removed Through the Armpit?

asked 1 year ago by Mexico8434 in Mexico
Latest answer by Jeffrey E. Schreiber, MD
Question viewed 677 times
Tags: under muscle, lift, scar

I've had saline implants (not large but not sure of size cc's) now for 20 yrs, with no problems. They went through my armpits, so there are no vissible scars. I'm looking into removing them in the near future, and wonder what my options are, and what will need to be done. I've heard that even though they went through the armpits, they need to come out the front, and there will be scaring for sure. also, if I wanted a lift later on, would there be scaring twice?

10 answers to Can Under Muscle Breast Implants be Removed Through the Armpit?

Breast Implant Removal via Axillary Incision

Hi Mexico8434, There are a few issues in this case: 1) Removing the implants - in general, it is possible to remove the implants via an axillary approach. Saline implants can be deflated (drained, or emptied) and then, reasonably simply, grasped, pulled out through the incision and removed. If that's really all you want, or need, then it should be pretty straight-forward. As with all procedures, the surgeon would reserve the right to make adjustments to the... more

Alan Engler, MD
New York Plastic Surgeon

Implant removal throught the same incision

Breast implants are removed through the same incision, there is no need for an additional one. Saline implants are very easily removed through the underarm approach, and your recovery should be gentle as well. Best of luck, peterejohnsonmd

Peter E. Johnson, MD
Chicago Plastic Surgeon

No Need for extra incisions

Assuming the pocket is in the correct position and you are looking for a simple exchange of saline or silicone, the axillary incision can be used. We routinely remove and exchange silicone implants through the axillary incision. Best of Luck Dr Del Vecchio

Daniel Del Vecchio, MD
Boston Plastic Surgeon

Breast implants

The implants can be removed through an arm pit incision; however, the capsule will be difficult to removed without a large incision and this will result in an unsightly scar. The best way, at this time, is an infra-mammary approach.

Shahin Javaheri, MD
San Francisco Plastic Surgeon

Removing implants, armpit incision

Saline implants should be able to be removed through the armpit, but none of the capsule or scar tissue can likely be removed. If the implants were not too large or if you have gained weight in your breast, they may not look too deflated afterward.

Byron D. Poindexter, MD
Reston Plastic Surgeon

Implant Removal Through the Armpit

If you are looking to just have the implants removed, they can certainly be removed through the original armpit incision. Typically, though, after having implants in for as long as you have, once they are removed your breasts may look deflated as well as a bit droopy. This is a combination of the implants thinning the tissues and natural aging. Any breast lift that you may need in the future will definitely need incisions on the breast. Hope that helps and good luck! Dr.... more

Babak Dadvand, MD
Los Angeles Plastic Surgeon

Placement of breast implants

I place almost 99% of my implants through the infra-mammary incision with minimal scarring and great results. You may want to consider this option because it's your second surgery.

Jeffrey E. Schreiber, MD
Baltimore Plastic Surgeon

Removing implants through the axillary incision

Providing that you don't need a breast lift, or require any capsule work (capsulotomy, capsulectomy or capsule plication) , then yes, the implants can be removed through your axillary (armpit) incision. Pretty much anything else, though, and you may need to consider an alternative approach. All the best,

Thomas Fiala, MD
Altamonte Springs Plastic Surgeon

Implant removal via armpit

Placing implants through the axillary fold is a alot easier than removing them. Especially if there is a hard capsule. If you are looking for a lift, then you would need the surgery done on the breast.

Steven Wallach, MD
Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Submuscular Implants can be removed via Axillary Incisions

Yes, you certainly can remove submuscular saline implants via the axillary (armpit) incision. An experienced plastic surgeon should have no trouble helping you.