Could sutures from internal stitches come undone?

Question

I have Silicone breast implants size 600. I have had them for almost 2 years now. I am thin build and like to stay active. I want to remove them altogether,but am afraid of what the outcome will be. I have enclosed pictures ,so you can get a better idea of what I am talking about. My PS suggested smaller implants with internal stitching to make the pocket smaller? I just worry that the stitches could come undone and I would have to have another surgery. Please, if you have any ideas let me know.

Tom J. Pousti, MD · Answer

Thank you for the question and pictures.

	I understand your concerns;  you face a very personal and difficult decision. Most likely, given the size of the breast implants  involved,  you will not be pleased with the results of surgery once they are removed. Although this is not universally true, most young ladies wish to have some volume/fullness…

	 On the other hand, I understand your concerns about capsulorraphy and the use of small breast implants;  the more complicated the operation,  the greater the chance that further surgery will be necessary in the future. Certainly, you can depend on the fact that additional surgery will be necessary in your lifetime if you choose to re-augment your breasts. If you do decide to proceed with downsizing of breast implants and capsulorraphy, make sure you select a plastic surgeon who can demonstrate significant experience helping patients in your situation.

	 Ultimately, as I mentioned above, this will be a very personal decision that only you can make after asking yourself whether you will be pleased with the relative paucity of fullness and the presence of some loose/empty skin on the chest wall.

	 Best wishes as you consider the options.

Raffy Karamanoukian, MD, FACS · Answer

Breast volume and skin tone can affect the look of your breasts.  If the volume is removed, the question is whether the skin will follow in terms of bouncing back to its pre-surgery state.  As the implants get larger and the length of time that you have the implants gets longer, the skin becomes less and less likely to bounce back.

Norman Bakshandeh Day, MD, FACS · Answer

There is always a chance of the internal stitches coming apart however this is not very likely. It is impossible to predict outcomes with any great certainty.

Remus Repta, MD · Answer

Hello,

	Thank you for the question and photos.  This is a very challenging decision for you to make and it will be important that you take your time and consider your goals very carefully.  Removal of the implants, in part because of the size of the implants, will have a dramatic effect on the appearance of your breasts and body.  If you are ok with not having any breast volume and understand that you will also likely have some type of a contour indentation in the center of your breasts at least for a few months, then removal of the implants alone may be a reasonable decision for you.  

	First you will need to decide whether you want smaller breasts or whether you wish to have no implants at all.  Smaller breasts can be accomplished by replacing the implants and correcting the pocket or removing the implants, letting things heal, and coming back and starting over again.  The second option will allow you to see how you will look without an implant and actually make the process of putting in a smaller implant more straighforward.

	All the best,

	Dr Remus Repta

Steven Wallach, MD · Answer

I think that it is very hard to predict how the breasts will look after implant removal.  I always prefer to put smaller implants in and resuspend the fold.

Could sutures from internal stitches come undone?

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Could sutures from internal stitches come undone?

Answers (10)

Answer: Challenging decision

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Answer: Breast implant removal

Answer: Breast implant removal

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Everything you need to know about Breast Implant Revision

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.