Will I need a key hole lift after explant? (photos)

Question

Planning on a explant ASAP. Nerve pain, uncomfortable and unhappy with them. No plans to exchange. I was 19 when I first had a boob job. AAA to a B. Second round to a C. Two pregnancies and one breastfed till 8 month old. Now 52 years old. Lots of indentations on underside. Shape is off. Wonder if I have a leak. Silicone 450 cc above muscle for 29 years!!!! Ready to be free.

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.  One way to decide whether or not you will be pleased with the results of breast implant removal surgery alone would be to ask your plastic surgeon to show you photographs of what he/she anticipates your breasts will look like after the procedure.
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.

Kamran Khoobehi, MD · Answer

I offer patients with the similar condition combination of the lift and fat grafting. You will need lift because of the areola shape and size. Please see the links for examples

Camille Cash, MD · Answer

You have options to consider with your breast implant removal.  You can consider simply having the implants removed and allowing the breasts to heal.  If you are happy with the outcome, then you have saved yourself the breast lift portion.  You also can consider having a lift done at the same time as the removal.  An examination by a board certified plastic surgeon can provide better feedback about the quality and elasticity of your skin and the likelihood that the breasts will retract adequately.

Steven Wallach, MD · Answer

You probably will not need a big lift.  Your breasts are not really sagging now. they will likely appear deflated afterwards.

Neil T. Chen, MD · Answer

Thank you for the question. If you are having issues with implants, removal is a reasonable option. However, you need to consider the consequence of loss of volume as well. There is usually quite a lot of droopiness (ptosis) as a results. If you will not be happy with the ptosis, you may want to consider a breast lift.

Diana L. Elias, MD (retired) · Answer

Since you have had relatively large implants for a very long time and you have breast-fed, the elasticity of the breasts is almost certainly reduced. However, it is not necessary to make this commitment all at once. Some woman can opt to have the explantation only and wait a year or so to see what the tissue does. You may be pleasantly surprised what time and nature can do a great job of re-shaping breasts. As long as you don't mind the possibility of a minor secondary procedure down the road, this might be an option for you.

Susan Kolb, MD - Account Suspended · Answer

A keyhole lift is very unusual to be needed after explantation.  From your photos, you will probably only need an internal lift.

Will I need a key hole lift after explant? (photos)

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