Will I need a lift after implant removal or will my breasts go back to their original shape / size? 310 cc submuscular (photos)

Hello, thank you for your question. There is a degree of skin recoil after an implant is removed. Its difficult to say to what extent your skin will shrink to since it varies from person to person. you will have to remove and wait and see once its healed if you will need a lift.

The technique I recommend is explantation with a mini lift. Using a circumareola incision, 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.

Best Wishes,

Gary Horndeski, M.D.

Although each person is different, about 80% of my patients do not require a lift after explant due to the specific technique I perform.

Only on the basis of in person evaluation of your breast/skin envelope, one could give you a sound opinion. Very likely that after implant removal you may need a skin tightening procedure like a breast lift or fat grafting.

Hello @gAurora007, thank you for your question. My opinion is that a breast implant removal should be combined with immediate breast enhancement to reposition the mammary tissue and improve projection of the upper pole and medial areas using the BRALAN Technique (Breast Reconstruction Anatomical Lift Augmentation) since the results will be adequate in terms of aesthetics and have a minimal scar in the shape of an L. If you are considering a breast explantation, consultation with a plastic surgeon who is experienced in this procedure is essential to ensure optimal results. 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)

Thank you for your question. After removal of your implants, you’ll be left with stretched out deflated skin. Not only is this because the implants stretched your skin but also secondary to pregnancy and breast-feeding. It is extremely unlikely that your skin will retract leaving you with the same size and shape breasts that you had previously. A good option would be a small skin excision and you can consider doing a small amount of fat grafting if you wanted to maintain some volume but still be smaller than your current size. Good luck.

Dear Aurora007,
it is hard to tell for sure without an examination. You can get implant removal and wait to see the final results. If you end up with saggy breasts, you can get breast lift later. 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, 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 photographs. Although you will likely see some skin retraction you will be left with some loose breast skin as I do not think you will be able to return to your "before" photographs.

The skin envelope has stretched from having the implants for four years. You will have some skin retraction but it is difficult to tell how much. One option is to remove the implants and allow them to heal. If you are happy with the outcome then you have avoided the lift. If you are unhappy you can return at a later date to lift them.

Your tissue has been stretched with implants, so you may have some loose tissue. You could ask your surgeon about minimally invasive radiofrequency skin tightening with Renuvion or ThermiTight to help tighten your skin at the same time the implants are removed.