"Internal Lift" with Breast Explantation?

It’s not unusual for
patient’s to develop significant breast sag following explantation of breast
implants.In many cases, correction of
this deformity will require bilateral breast lift procedures.In an effort to avoid breast lift surgery, surgeons
occasionally obliterate the implant pocket by placing quilting sutures between
the under surface of the breast and the chest wall.In some cases, these sutures can advance the
breast tissue in an upward direction to provide an internal lift.It’s important to realize that each patient’s situation
is unique.This option may be extremely
helpful for some patient’s while other patients may need a formal breast lift
procedure.It all depends upon the
physical examination, the patient’s aesthetic goals, and how the tissue
responds to these maneuvers in the operating room.If you’re worried about breast sag following breast
implant removal, it’s important to discuss this issue with your plastic
surgeon.Your surgeon should be able to
discuss your options and determine if an internal lift is a possibility for
you.

Good day! Generally after explantation, the shape and size of the breast will be unpredictable. The breast will obviously be smaller and possibly sag more. Still, it varies between patients depending on their age, duration of the implant, or previous state of their breasts. Patients who already have ptosis (drooping) should think about mastopexy at the time of surgery. Improved appearance can also be achieved through natural breast augmentation after explantation. Do not hesitate to contact your surgeon about this and discuss realistic goals and expectations. Best of luck! #RealSelf100

When you remove an implant, there is a large space within the breast. By rearranging and suspending the breast tissue, often times the end result is very attractive. This "internal lift" is merely a suspension and rearrangement of the breast tissue to help close the space and support the remaining breast tissue.

Most patients are able to return to their preoperative state with implant removal. An internal lift or pocket plication can take advantage of the capsule and reposition the breast higher.

It is not uncommon for us to try and elevate the breast mound higher on the chest wall after removing the implant.  Usually the results are quite good, but it has a lot to do with selecting the right patient for the procedure.  If you need a lift before having the implant removed or if the implant is really large and has stretched the skin quite a bit, then you will need some external form of lift afterward.

Yes, there are different versions of internal lifting by either rolling breast tissue upwards or simply sewing breast tissue to a higher point on the chest wall internally. It depends upon the patient but this can be a reasonable procedure in the right hands and with the right breast structure

There are a number of techniques to 'internally list" the breast following implant removal. The breast itself though often recovers in a remarkable way once th implant is removed. The skin contracts, the breast reshapes and the end result often is very satisfying. Ask your board certified plastic surgeon. Aloha. Dr C

Once the implant and the scar capsule are removed, dissolvable sutures are used to decrease the base of the breast, increase the projection, and recreate the fold if needed.

As with many other terms, different words can mean different things to different surgeons, so if you want to know what any specific surgeon does, the best thing is to find out exactly what he means.  You can contact him directly and ask precisely that.

In general, it is possible to elevated and suspend some of the remaining tissue after an explantation (or any other breast tissue) but the degree to which this is possible varies on the individual patient.  A given patient may need to have skin removed and tightened, or some other procedures in order to achieve the greatest degree of elevating the tissue, and maintaining that elevation.

I realize that this may not be as precise an explanation as you'd like, but I hope that it has at least helped a bit.

Dr. E

Hi.

Of course, it depends on the details of your personal anatomy, but with skilled technique, most patients are very happy.