How Long Do Muscles Reattach After Breast Explantation?

Question

After a woman has been explanted (unders), how long does it take for the muscle to reattach where it has been cut? Also, if the crease line incision scar tissue adheres to the muscle, what can be done to fix that?

Richard J. Bruneteau, MD · Answer

Muscle reattachment following
breast implant removal is dependent upon multiple variables.The most important variable is the extent of
the original submuscular pocket dissection.When muscles are aggressively detached during surgery, they take longer
to heal.In most cases, the muscles are minimally detached along
the medial border of the sternum; the muscle separation along the inframammary
fold tends to be more significant.After
explantation, these muscles tend to heal with scar formation to the surrounding
chest wall structures.This happens over
the course of the seven to eight weeks in most cases.In most cases, patient’s have relatively
normal chest wall muscle function following explantation surgery.If you’re concerned with chest wall function following
breast implant removal, it’s important to discuss these issues with your
surgeon prior to your surgical procedure.Your surgeon should be able to answer all of your questions and
formulate a treatment plan that’s appropriate for you.

Gary Lawton, MD, FACS · Answer

The muscle that was divided to place the implants sub muscular will not re-attach after implant removal.

Otto Joseph Placik, MD · Answer

The ability of the muscle to reattach dependis in part on the contraction of the implant pocket and return of the tissues to their original positions. Scar massage helps to mobilize tissue and re-establish normal tissue planes. This can take upwards of two years.

Vincent N. Zubowicz, MD · Answer

Breast implant removal is almost always very easy.  If the muscle is removed from under the pectoralis and if there has been no silicone gel spillage, the capsule can remain.  The muscle will stick to the chest wall almost immediately in most cases.  I place a couple of dissolvable stitches anchoring the muscle to the chest to hasten and ensure reattachment.

Farbod Esmailian, MD · Answer

The muscle really doesnt re-attach. What happens is that the capsule where the implant was adheres back down to the chest wall and this capsule has the muscle attached to it. So yes the muscle adheres back down to the chest wall, but not to where it used to be, it will be higher up. Really this does not affect you in any way cosmetically as there is tissue and skin over this area and the muscle is not very thick, specially after years of breast augmentation.

How Long Do Muscles Reattach After Breast Explantation?

Answers (9)

Answer: The pectoralis muscle will reattach almost immediately after implant removal.

Answer: The pectoralis muscle will reattach almost immediately after implant removal.

Answer: After Implant Removal and Muscle Re-attachment

Answer: After Implant Removal and Muscle Re-attachment

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Everything you need to know about Breast Implant Removal

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

How Long Do Muscles Reattach After Breast Explantation?

Answers (9)

Answer: The pectoralis muscle will reattach almost immediately after implant removal.

Answer: The pectoralis muscle will reattach almost immediately after implant removal.

Answer: After Implant Removal and Muscle Re-attachment

Answer: After Implant Removal and Muscle Re-attachment

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Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Breast Implant Removal

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