With little or no breast tissue can I have implants removed?

Question

My Doctor said he scraped my breast tissue out before putting in the implants because I hardly had any breast tissue. My implants are to big and high. Causing me neck and back pain. They have been droppy from the second month of having them put in. I would rather have small breast than these 36 DD. I asked for smaller implants the doctor gave me much larger than I wanted. He said I know what men like. Yes he really said that.

Kenneth Hughes, MD · Answer

Pictures or an exam would be helpful in making that assessment.  No one can truly predict how your breast will look after explantation as each soft tissue envelope will respond differently, but you may do well with just removal and replacement with smaller implants. If there is any doubt, explant using the original incision, followed by a period of several months of observation.  After 6 months or so a decision for a breast lift can be made.

Gary M. Horndeski, MD · Answer

You have large implants and are a 36 DD.  Simply removing the implants will result in hanging breasts and you will be dissatisfied.  The technique I recommend is explantation using The Bellesoma Method.  The implants are removed, your breast tissue is reshaped creating upper pole fullness, elevated higher on the chest wall and more medial to increase your cleavage.  Vertical scars are avoided, nipple sensation and the ability to breast feed are maintained, if not injured during your previous surgery.  At the same time or later, fat transfers can be performed if additional volume.Best Wishes,Gary Horndeski, M.D.

Niki Christopoulos, MD, FACS · Answer

Hi and thank you for your questions.  I am so sorry you did not have a previous good experience.  Good communication with your surgeon is key to a good outcome.  That being said, yes, your implants can removed.  However, without an in person examination of your current situation it is really impossible to give any more educated information.  Revision breast surgery is indeed complex and you should get one or two opinions from experienced plastic surgeons.  Best of luck.

Daniel Barrett, MD · Answer

Dear singerforu,breast revision surgery is the most difficult plastic surgery procedure performed. Botched breast surgery alters normal tissue planes and laxity, the ability of breasts to heal properly, and leaves scar tissue that dramatically affects the level of difficulty of the corrective surgery.Many patients come in to correct poor outcomes from their initial surgeries. The most common problems are due to implant malposition, bottoming out of the implant, poor scarring, and incorrect implant size.While the type of revision required will depend on the result of the previous surgery and the desired result of the patient, some revisions involve extensive pocket repair that may or may not need specialized external bras.If you are considering breast surgery revision, you should speak with a board certified plastic surgeon and have yourself properly assessed. Only after a thorough examination you will get more information and recommendations. Also, you have to make sure that your surgeon understands your breast augmentation goals.Daniel Barrett, MD
Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

Parit A. Patel, MD, FACS · Answer

Thank you for your question.  The short answer is yes, you can have your implants removed but predicting what your breasts will look and feel like after the explantation is unpredictable.  The size will be similar to your breasts before the augmentation but the skin quality and breast tissue quantity and quality may have changed.  I recommend an in-office consultation with a board certified plastic surgeon to best advise you on how to meet your aesthetic goals.  Good luck and I hope this helps.

Amy Simon, MD, FACS · Answer

No one can predict how things will look after implant removal.  The larger the implant, the more the skin stretches, therefore the larger the empty bag of skin when the implant is removed.  If you are uncertain about the benefits of a breast lift, you can always have implants removed, then wait about a year and see how things look before considering a lift.Always consult your board certified plastic surgeon.  Hope this helps, best of luck!

Jeanette Padgett, MD, FACS · Answer

You can have your implants removed at any time.  The question is-- will you be happy with the result.  You may consider removing the implants you have now and replacing them with smaller implants, or you may wish to remove the implants and not replace them.   Consult with several plastic surgeons in your area for opinions on replacing your implants or removal of your implants. Best wishes.

Camille Cash, MD · Answer

You can have your implants removed at any time.  It's difficult to advise how you may look after surgery without an examination.  If you are unhappy with your previous surgeon I recommend visiting with a different board certified plastic surgeon near you for an evaluation.  You can discuss your options once more information is known.

Tom J. Pousti, MD · Answer

Thank you for the question.   Nothing will replace in-person evaluation when it comes to providing you with good advice.   Having said that, you can certainly have your breast implants removed; the question is whether or not you will be pleased with the appearance of your breasts once the breast implants have been removed.
Generally speaking, 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.
 Patience is definitely indicated after removal of breast implants; it will take many months/year for the skin to “bounce back” and for you to see the final appearance of the breasts.
In "borderline" cases where there is doubt whether breast lifting is necessary or not, I advise patients to undergo explantation only and to give their breasts the benefit of the doubt  before deciding whether breast lifting would be beneficial.  
 I hope this helps. Best wishes.

David Azouz, MD, FACS, FRCS(C) · Answer

It is possible to have the implants completely removed and maintain a good aesthetic result.  A plastic surgeon can perform a history and physical to determine if you are a candidate to have the implants removed.  Usually a lift is necessary.

With little or no breast tissue can I have implants removed?

Answers (12)

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