Should you get a lift at the time of explant or wait 6 months then lift?

I prefer to do a lift at the time of explant as this results in 1 operation and is less expensive. The technique I recommend is explant and lift 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 (in 95%) and the ability to breast feed are maintained, if not injured during your previous surgery. Later, fat transfers can be performed if additional volume is desired.

Best Wishes,

Gary Horndeski, M.D.

Thank you for your inquiry! Are you have concerns with your breasts? This could change the answer. We would love to sit down with you and review your options. Schedule a consultation with a Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon to discuss your goals.

The smaller the implant and the shorter the amount of time it has been since placement, the greater the chance the breasts will return to their preoperative state. It is very difficult to predict breast size following explant b/c breast implants and weight fluctuations over time tend to thin tissues, cause a decrease in size, and create more droop.
Usually removing them and performing a lift at the same time makes the most sense as some patients clearly need a lift and only want to go through one surgery. If you are borderline, it is not unreasonable to remove the implants and then observe a waiting period of six months before the determination for breast lift is made. This will give your breasts time to bounce back and your PS time to determine what type of lift, if any, is needed.
Leaving a capsule behind is preferred if it is thin and pliable. If there are calcific components, or silicone granulomatous material, or if the capsule is deforming the breast tissue, then removal of the capsule may be warranted. Removing a capsule unnecessarily could result in bleeding and slight tissue loss.

Dear lma123,
it is hard to tell for sure without an examination. Generally speaking, both options can be good. If you are considering a surgery, I would suggest you to consult a board-certified plastic surgeon. Only after a thorough examination you will get more information and recommendations.
Daniel Barrett, MD
Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

Thank you for sharing your question and it can be frustrating receiving different recommendations. Ultimately a thorough discussion of any symptoms you are having needs to be performed, as well as an in-person examination of your tissues to confirm the need for a lift and ability to achieve your end results. I would work with the surgeon with whom you felt most comfortable and get more detailed answers as to their recommendations for proceeding with surgery. Hope this helps.

Thank you for your questions. I would say that all of those are valid options and it is not surprising you got several different options from different providers. Every surgeon has his or her own preferences when it comes to planning a safe and effective surgical procedure. In our practice, we do several explant surgeries and the right answer for you depends on your goals. Removing the implant, removing the capsule, and doing a lift are all different parts of the procedure and need to be discussed in detail with your plastic surgeon. If you want to do all of those at once, that can be done safely in the right patient. Make sure you are seeing a plastic surgeon who is board certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery with experience in explant surgery.

Hope this helps!

Dallas Buchanan, MD
VIVIFY plastic surgery
Tampa, FL

Whether to undergo a breast lift (mastopexy) at the time of explantation or wait for a period before getting a lift depends on various factors, including the condition of your breasts, your aesthetic goals, and your plastic surgeon's recommendations. Here are some considerations:
1. Breast Condition: If your breasts have significant sagging (ptosis) or loss of elasticity, getting a breast lift at the time of explantation may be beneficial. Combining the procedures allows your plastic surgeon to address both the removal of implants and the correction of breast ptosis simultaneously, resulting in a more comprehensive outcome.
2. Aesthetic Goals: Consider your desired breast shape and appearance after explantation. If you wish to restore a more lifted and youthful breast contour, having a lift at the time of explantation may be preferable. This approach can provide immediate improvement in breast shape and symmetry.
3. Recovery Considerations: Combining explantation with a breast lift may result in a longer initial recovery period compared to explantation alone. However, it eliminates the need for an additional surgery and recovery period later on.
4. Surgeon's Recommendation: Your plastic surgeon's expertise and assessment of your individual circumstances play a significant role in determining the best approach. They will evaluate factors such as the degree of ptosis, breast tissue quality, and skin elasticity to recommend the most suitable timing for the lift.
5. Personal Preference: Ultimately, the decision to undergo a breast lift at the time of explantation or delay the lift is a personal one. Some individuals may prefer to address one aspect of their breast appearance at a time, while others may prioritize achieving their desired results in a single surgery.
It's essential to discuss your goals, concerns, and options with your plastic surgeon during the consultation process. They can provide recommendations based on your unique anatomy and aesthetic preferences. Whether you choose to have a lift at the time of explantation or delay the procedure, ensure that you fully understand the potential benefits, risks, and outcomes associated with each approach.

I would suggest choosing the surgeon who made the most sense and with whom you felt the most confident. Personally, I choose to do the lift with the removal unless the blood supply to the nipple might be jeopardized with the lift. In ladies with minimal breast tissue, it is safer to do the lift at a separate surgery once healed.

In many cases the implant removal and lift can be done at the same time. This is often preferred by patients as it includes one trip to the operating room and one recovery. There are circumstances where it may be recommended to break it into stages, such as patients who are wanting to are borderline for needing a lift or who are trying to avoid a lift. These patients may choose to remove the implants and allow the breasts to heal before determining if they want to proceed with a lift. Review before and after photos of each surgeon's work, ask lots of questions, and select the board certified plastic surgeon with whom you feel most comfortable and confident.

Dear Ima,
This is really funny. I just saw a patient yesterday in NYC complaining about this exact issue.
Here's the best answer....there is no right or wrong answer. Each patient has different anatomy, different sized implants and different expectations. I do not have a cookie cutter procedure or answer. Most time's, I perform both the explantation and mastopexy (breast lift) at the same sitting. If a patient is undecided, removing the implants under local anesthesia then returning later for evaluation and decision on mastopexy is a good plan.
Best wishes.
Dr. Taranow