I'm planning on explanting my 6 year old 550cc implants. I got them when I was 22 years old, and was about 40lbs lighter. I was a 32DDD after implants in 2013 and I honestly have no idea what size I am now, I fall out of a 36DD and prefer to wear sports bras because I'm so large. I have a lot of pain with my implants now and priorities have changed since the birth of my daughter. Just wondering want I can expect post explant.
December 29, 2019
Answer: Explant 550cc - What can I expect Thank you for sharing your question and photographs. Unfortunately without being able feel the relative ratio of your breast tissue to implant it is difficult to offer definite advice. Most likely removal will leave you a good overall result, but if the skin does not fully retract, you may require a small lift to achieve a tighter skin look and feel.
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December 29, 2019
Answer: Explant 550cc - What can I expect Thank you for sharing your question and photographs. Unfortunately without being able feel the relative ratio of your breast tissue to implant it is difficult to offer definite advice. Most likely removal will leave you a good overall result, but if the skin does not fully retract, you may require a small lift to achieve a tighter skin look and feel.
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December 27, 2019
Answer: Removal predictions The downsides of removal are primarily aesthetic. It is difficult to make 100% accurate predictions following explant. There are a number of factors to consider including age (the breast changes over time irregardless of augmentation), weight change, skin stretch and residual elasticity. Following removal, one can expect: -Loss of volume- Not an exact correlation between pre- and post augmentation due to the changes over time. You may be bigger or smaller than you remember. -Ptosis/sagging-Ptosis develops over time and may be worsened by the presence of an implant. If a patient has pre-explant sagging, removal is likely to worsen this to a certain extent. If there is no ptosis, it does not necessarily mean there will be no ptosis after removal. -Skin laxity/stretch- There is inherent skin elasticity which will allow for some measure of snap back. However, the greater the volume differential pre- and post- the more likely there will be excess skin. In my experience, it is usually a safe assumption that there will be some changes post removal which oftentimes may necessitate further operative intervention (i.e. lift), however this is often a function of size and length of time post op. Small implants which have only been in place for a short period will lead to an improved response/recoil post removal. Whereas larger implants which have been in for several years will often necessitate a lift.Based on your photos and narrative, larger 550 cc implants will likely lead to some degree of tissue stretch (not to mention pregnancy). You may want to consider a lift in conjunction with removal. As always, discuss your concerns with a board certified plastic surgeon (ABPS). Donovan Rosas MD Board Certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery Member: American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, American Society of Plastic Surgeons RealSelf Verified Member RealSelf Top 100 RealSelf Hall of Fame
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December 27, 2019
Answer: Removal predictions The downsides of removal are primarily aesthetic. It is difficult to make 100% accurate predictions following explant. There are a number of factors to consider including age (the breast changes over time irregardless of augmentation), weight change, skin stretch and residual elasticity. Following removal, one can expect: -Loss of volume- Not an exact correlation between pre- and post augmentation due to the changes over time. You may be bigger or smaller than you remember. -Ptosis/sagging-Ptosis develops over time and may be worsened by the presence of an implant. If a patient has pre-explant sagging, removal is likely to worsen this to a certain extent. If there is no ptosis, it does not necessarily mean there will be no ptosis after removal. -Skin laxity/stretch- There is inherent skin elasticity which will allow for some measure of snap back. However, the greater the volume differential pre- and post- the more likely there will be excess skin. In my experience, it is usually a safe assumption that there will be some changes post removal which oftentimes may necessitate further operative intervention (i.e. lift), however this is often a function of size and length of time post op. Small implants which have only been in place for a short period will lead to an improved response/recoil post removal. Whereas larger implants which have been in for several years will often necessitate a lift.Based on your photos and narrative, larger 550 cc implants will likely lead to some degree of tissue stretch (not to mention pregnancy). You may want to consider a lift in conjunction with removal. As always, discuss your concerns with a board certified plastic surgeon (ABPS). Donovan Rosas MD Board Certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery Member: American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, American Society of Plastic Surgeons RealSelf Verified Member RealSelf Top 100 RealSelf Hall of Fame
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