Breast Implant Removal Before or After Pregnancy?

Question

I'm 27 and have had Breast Implants for 5 years total (350cc Saline for 2 years, 225cc Silicone gel for 3 years). I would like to get them removed without replacement. I would also like to get pregnant soon & in the future (likely 2 kids total). I naturally have naturally small breasts (AA/almost A), little breast tissue, & fairly elastic skin. I would prefer not to get a breast lift if I didn't have to, but would be willing to if necessary.   Should I get my implants removed now or wait until after pregnancy to have the best aesthetic result?

Jed H. Horowitz, MD, FACS · Answer

Good day! Generally speaking, our skin will stretch overtime and it will largely depend upon the patient's age, weight, and other factors prior to explantation, such as implant size, pregnancy or breastfeeding. You may undergo explantation before pregnancy so implants won't interfere with your milk supply. However, it is suggested to do the lift after pregnancy as your breasts will increase during pregnancy and skin will stretch. It is hard to assess without an in-person examination and is best to consult a board-certified plastic surgeon regarding this concern and discuss detailed information, your goals and realistic expectations. Best of luck! #RealSelf100

Timothy Treece, MD, FACS · Answer

I suggest you wait. have your children and see how the breast shape changes, once you have gone through pregnancy and breastfeeding.  At that oint you can make a more accurate dicision along with your board certified plastic surgeon.

Richard J. Bruneteau, MD · Answer

There’s no question that
changes occur in a woman’s breasts during pregnancy.It’s important to realize that these changes
occur with and without breast implants.Under these circumstances, the timing of removal has little impact upon the
aesthetics of the breast.For this
reason, it’s appropriate to remove your implants as soon as possible if you’re
bothered by them.If you’re considering implant removal, it’s important to
consult a board certified plastic surgeon.This surgeon should be able to formulate a treatment plan that addresses
your anatomic findings and achieves your aesthetic goals.

Otto Joseph Placik, MD · Answer

With or without the implants, your breasts will get engorged and their final appearance is unpredictable at this point in time. Rather than go through 2 or more surgeries, I would proceed with the pregnancies and then removal and possible lift after that but this is my opinion only.

Elizabeth Slass Lee, MD · Answer

Removal of breast implants can be done before or after pregnancy. There is no way to predict how your breasts will change the first time you carry an baby to term and nurse. Take them out when you are ready to no longer have them. The only consideration should be that you give yourself time to heal from explantation before becoming pregnant, or that you wait 6 months after weaning to undergo breast surgery. Also, surgery should not be done electively while you are pregnant.

Farbod Esmailian, MD · Answer

I would remove them when you are ready.  It really does not make much difference when you remove them.  However, if you need a lift or going to need a lift, it would be wise to be done with your pregnancy so that when the implant is removed you can have you lift done then.  If you remove the implant now and need a lift and have one, then you get pregnant you may need a lift later after that.
Good luck.

James Knoetgen, III, MD · Answer

The decision to have breast implant removal before or after pregnancy can depend on your personal circumstances and preferences. Here are some factors to consider:Before Pregnancy: 1. If you’re planning to become pregnant in the near future, you may choose to have the implants removed before pregnancy to avoid potential complications during pregnancy and breastfeeding.After Pregnancy:1. Some individuals opt to have breast implant removal after pregnancy and breastfeeding to restore their natural breast shape and size, as pregnancy and breastfeeding can affect the appearance of the breasts.2. If you’re uncertain about your family planning and want to keep the implants in place, you can choose to have them removed after you’re done having children.It’s important to discuss your specific situation with a skilled plastic surgeon who can provide guidance based on your goals and medical history.

Raj S. Ambay, MD · Answer

Most women who have implants removed after many years find that their breasts are deflated and the skin sags. The skin will not reliably return to its pre-implant condition. In my experience many women eventually seek a lift to improve the way their breast look both in and out of clothing. Considering pregnancy will not affect the possibility of a lift one way or another . Most depends on skin quality, breast quantity, sun damage and age. But that decision is entirely personal. Good luck!

Tom J. Pousti, MD · Answer

I would vote for waiting after pregnancy to have the implants removed. That way, if additional surgery may be necessary to correct post-pregnancy/breast-feeding changes, it can be done at the same time.

	What your breasts will look like after explantation  depends on several factors such as: the quality of skin elasticity (the better the elasticity the better the skin will bounce back),  the size of the implants used (the larger the implant the more trouble you may have with redundant skin), and the amount of breast tissue present at this time (which may have changed since the time of your breast augmentation).  Life experience since your breast augmentation procedure, such as pregnancy or weight gain weight loss, will  potentially influence the factors discussed above. If you take these factors into consideration and apply them  to your specific circumstances you may get a good idea of what to expect after the implants are removed.   Occasionally, I see patients who just want the implants removed because they don't want the implants "to be a part of them" anymore.  Make sure you think about this and that this is the right thing for you.  It's difficult to say if you need a lift after removal -- no one will know exactly what your breasts will look like after the implants are removed until it is done.  Talk to a well-trained and experienced board-certified plastic surgeon and get good advice.
	Best wishes.

Steven Wallach, MD · Answer

It really is a personal choice whether or not to keep breast implants. As to what to do if you have them removed. Well, it is hard to tell what shape your breasts would be in after removal. If your tissues are very thin, you may not have much to lift at all.

Breast Implant Removal Before or After Pregnancy?

Answers (13)

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