How long do I have to wait for a breast lift after explant surgery?

Question

Female, Caucasian, 50's, Original Surgeon Retired. I am interested in getting breast implant removal and seeing how my breasts look after the explant before committing to a lift. If I decide after the surgery that I would like to have a lift, how long do I have to wait after the explant surgery? Thank you : )

Alan Gonzalez, MD, FACS · Answer

Hello @conniesarah, Thank you for your question. First of all  is important to remove the capsule through total capsulectomy in the breast implant removal procedure.  That being said, If you choose to wait until after your explant surgery before deciding on a lift, you should also keep in mind that there may be scarring or sagging due to being without implants for a longer period of time. The length of time between explants and lifts can vary depending on your recovery process and doctor's criteria. It's preferable to give your body enough time for complete healing after the first procedure. Talk to your surgeon about the timeline for when it is best to have the breast lift.   Best wishes! Alan Gonzalez MD, FACS.  American Society of Plastic Surgery Member (ASPS), International Federation for Adipose Therapeutics and Science Member (IFATS), Colombian Society of Plastic Surgery member (SCCP).

Philip J. Straka, MD, FACS · Answer

This is a great question as many people find that they do not need a lift after removal of implants.  After implant removal, typically, the breast tissue will decompress, commonly referred to as fluffing, and the skin tightens to some degree for many patients, resulting in much a perkier breast shape and position than they anticipated. There can often be significant improvement in the appearance of the breasts for 6 months to even 1 year postoperatively, therefore, I would recommend waiting for a year to allow for any fluffing and skin retraction to occur before considering breast lift surgery.  If you do choose breast lift surgery as a later, staged procedure, the final results are often better than having the lift performed at the same time as the implant removal surgery.  This is due to the fact that the breast lift is done after the postoperative swelling has resolved and the fluffing and skin retraction has already ocurred. Wishing you a great recovery and outcome!

Jose Telich, MD · Answer

Dear Conniesarah thank you for your question.

Surgeons tipycally recommend a six-month wait in-between procedures to allow swelling and scarring to resolve, and let your tissues settle down.

Shaher W. Khan, MD · Answer

Please watch the attached video to answer your question. In my practice, it may be possible to do a lift if you qualify at the time of explant. Each patient is different and depends on multiple different factors including your personal health history. If there is not a lift done at the same time as explant, I recommend to wait about a year as full "fluffing" or recoil results take about that long. I hope this helps!

Raffy Karamanoukian, MD, FACS · Answer

Removal of breast implants, intact or ruptured, may have positive implications if patients are symptomatic. A constellation of symptoms associated with breast implant illness, and autoimmune disease are considered when treating patients who have breast implants and are concerned about foreign body reaction. In our office, we begin this journey with a consideration of symptoms and exclusion of obvious autoimmune problems. In many of our patients, en bloc removal of breast implants with capsulectomy is important and beneficial. Further clinical evidence about breast implant illness is evolving and will continue to guide treatment. I would suggest removal if there is a possibility of foreign body reaction.

Best,
Dr. Karamanoukian
Realself100 Surgeon

Best, 
Dr. Karamanoukian
Realself100 Surgeon

Daniel Barrett, MD · Answer

Dear conniesarah,
you should be fully healed prior to another elective procedure. If you are considering surgery, I would suggest you consult a board-certified plastic surgeon. Only after a thorough examination, you will get more information and recommendations.
Daniel Barrett, MDCertified, American Board of Plastic SurgeryMember, American Society of Plastic SurgeryMember, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

Zoran Potparic, MD · Answer

Based on your presentation, it would be very easy to decide whether immediate or delayed breast lift should be considered. If you decide to delay and wait, I would suggest 6 months or so. Hope this helps. Good luck.

Albert Ko, MD · Answer

Hi there, thank you for your message! I reccomend at least 3 months in between each surgery as long as you have no wound healing issues, but 6 months would be best. Your skin laxity and quality will also factor into this decision so I would advise an in-person consultation with a board certified plastic surgeon. Best of luck!

Gary M. Horndeski, MD · Answer

A large percent of women that undergo explant alone are dissatisfied because of the loss of volume, depending on the size of your implants, and hanging skin. It is better to do explant with a lift simultaneously, rather than wait. Unfortunately, you have not provided photographs or told us the size of your implants. Usually, I recommend 3-6 months after explant before doing the breast lift.

Best Wishes,

Gary Horndeski, M.D.

Best Wishes,

Gary Horndeski, M.D.

Connie Hiers, MD, FACS · Answer

Typically, you would wait 6 months to let all the swelling subside before doing a lift. You might look into minimally invasive skin tightening with radiofrequency like Renuvion at the time of the removal. Some with this treatment do not need further lifting.

How long do I have to wait for a breast lift after explant surgery?

Answers (11)

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