I have had saline breast implants for 8 years and am scared of the aesthetic outcome should I have them removed. I am 29 years old, I have very little breast tissue and stretch marks on my breasts from having a baby. I have constant aches and pains in my left breast. I have considered get revision surgery, but what I really want is them to be taken out. I have been researching this for a year now and would really like some advice (especially when it comes to finding the right surgeon to remove them).
Answer: Do I need a lift after removing implants It is not uncommon for plastic surgeons to stage or separate these operations. No one can predict for sure, how your breasts will look after downsizing. It may depend on the size of your implant. Removing a 200cc implant is very different than removing a 600cc implant. Let me offer an analogy which may help to explain: If you look closely at your friends or women after the health club, you will see a variety of different looking stomachs following pregnancy. I have seen women who have had 3 children have an absolutely flat stomach that is more attractive than many 20 year olds. And I have seen women with one pregnancy who have had stretch marks extend over their entire stomach after one child. Do you think you could predict this before having their first child? After you "deliver" the currentl implant from your breast, it will be difficult to predict the contraction of your breast skin. Therefore you can pre-emptively perform a breast lift or wait and see what will be required at a later date. Obviously, I understand the inconvenience of a two stage operation but if you want to do all you can to minimize scarring this may be your best result. I have been impressed, in my personal experience, that after removing implants that have been in place for over 20-30 years, the skin will contract better than I would have predicted. Of course, it may look as if they had some loss of upper fullness but they appear age appropriate for a 50-60 year old. This is just one surgeon's opinion so take it for what it is worth. This is an artistic as well as a medical judgement. I hope this helps.
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Answer: Do I need a lift after removing implants It is not uncommon for plastic surgeons to stage or separate these operations. No one can predict for sure, how your breasts will look after downsizing. It may depend on the size of your implant. Removing a 200cc implant is very different than removing a 600cc implant. Let me offer an analogy which may help to explain: If you look closely at your friends or women after the health club, you will see a variety of different looking stomachs following pregnancy. I have seen women who have had 3 children have an absolutely flat stomach that is more attractive than many 20 year olds. And I have seen women with one pregnancy who have had stretch marks extend over their entire stomach after one child. Do you think you could predict this before having their first child? After you "deliver" the currentl implant from your breast, it will be difficult to predict the contraction of your breast skin. Therefore you can pre-emptively perform a breast lift or wait and see what will be required at a later date. Obviously, I understand the inconvenience of a two stage operation but if you want to do all you can to minimize scarring this may be your best result. I have been impressed, in my personal experience, that after removing implants that have been in place for over 20-30 years, the skin will contract better than I would have predicted. Of course, it may look as if they had some loss of upper fullness but they appear age appropriate for a 50-60 year old. This is just one surgeon's opinion so take it for what it is worth. This is an artistic as well as a medical judgement. I hope this helps.
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March 24, 2019
Answer: Implant removal Breast volume and shape after implant removal can vary based on a number of variables, including your pre surgery breast volume, implant volume, age, duration of implant, skin laxity etc. Since you had saline implants you can actually deflate them preoperatively to get a sense of how much breast tissue you have left. This also allows the breast tissue to rebound from having the pressure of the implant removed and the skin can contract to some degree. Then you can make a final decision about needing a lift, new implant or fat transfer. See a board certified plastic surgeon to discuss all of your options.
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March 24, 2019
Answer: Implant removal Breast volume and shape after implant removal can vary based on a number of variables, including your pre surgery breast volume, implant volume, age, duration of implant, skin laxity etc. Since you had saline implants you can actually deflate them preoperatively to get a sense of how much breast tissue you have left. This also allows the breast tissue to rebound from having the pressure of the implant removed and the skin can contract to some degree. Then you can make a final decision about needing a lift, new implant or fat transfer. See a board certified plastic surgeon to discuss all of your options.
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Answer: Your breasts after implant removal Breast implant removal (explant surgery) can be performed for a number of reasons. Each individual may have their own reason for wanting their implants removed. Some common reasons are: she is in a different place in her life now and would prefer to be without implants; she was never happy with her result e.g. they were always too big; she has an implant complication such capsular contracture or rupture/leak; a common reason now is that she has health issues and feels that this is due to the implants i.e. breast implant illness. Results will obviously vary from each patient. The main factors that will determine how your breasts look after removing implants will be: what size implants you have in, whether or not you have had children and breastfed, how long you have had implants for, and importantly what your skin quality is like. Over time your skin changes. It may be a little looser and a little more aged. Your breasts returning to similar aesthetic prior to implants would depend on these factors. One way to look at it could be like “looking like you have lost weight and your clothes are too baggy”.
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Answer: Your breasts after implant removal Breast implant removal (explant surgery) can be performed for a number of reasons. Each individual may have their own reason for wanting their implants removed. Some common reasons are: she is in a different place in her life now and would prefer to be without implants; she was never happy with her result e.g. they were always too big; she has an implant complication such capsular contracture or rupture/leak; a common reason now is that she has health issues and feels that this is due to the implants i.e. breast implant illness. Results will obviously vary from each patient. The main factors that will determine how your breasts look after removing implants will be: what size implants you have in, whether or not you have had children and breastfed, how long you have had implants for, and importantly what your skin quality is like. Over time your skin changes. It may be a little looser and a little more aged. Your breasts returning to similar aesthetic prior to implants would depend on these factors. One way to look at it could be like “looking like you have lost weight and your clothes are too baggy”.
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August 9, 2019
Answer: Removing saline breast implants Just like making the decision of who should place your breast implants, choosing the right person to remove them is very, very important. I recommend seeking someone certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and has extensive experience with these types of procedures.There are several options and details that are important for you. First of all, because you have saline implants, it is possible to deflate them while still in your body, allowing your skin to shrink around them and potentially require less of a breast lift afterwards. Some patients do require a lift, some do not. That decision is based on how much loose skin and breast tissue you have.There are options available to fill the breast after removing the implant. Fat grafting to replace the volume loss is a great possibility as is an auto augmentation procedure done at the time of the breast lift.I wish you the best,Dr. Gabbay.
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August 9, 2019
Answer: Removing saline breast implants Just like making the decision of who should place your breast implants, choosing the right person to remove them is very, very important. I recommend seeking someone certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and has extensive experience with these types of procedures.There are several options and details that are important for you. First of all, because you have saline implants, it is possible to deflate them while still in your body, allowing your skin to shrink around them and potentially require less of a breast lift afterwards. Some patients do require a lift, some do not. That decision is based on how much loose skin and breast tissue you have.There are options available to fill the breast after removing the implant. Fat grafting to replace the volume loss is a great possibility as is an auto augmentation procedure done at the time of the breast lift.I wish you the best,Dr. Gabbay.
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November 28, 2018
Answer: Post explant appearance Following explant, there is bound to be some degree of deflation and skin laxity. Some of the skin will recoil, but, depending upon the volume lost (in your case significant), some of the skin will not snap back and remain lax. Often times, these patients will need a lift/mastopexy, if they chose not to replace the volume lost. With regards to your specific question, I would expect some skin laxity post explantation, at least initially. You have youth on your side which may allow for greater recoil due to the inherent elasticity of the skin. Ultimately, this often a function of the degree to which the skin was initially stretched with augmentation. This may take several months to settle. However, if the snap back is not satisfactory, this may necessitate a lift. Explant and lift do not necessarily have to be done simultaneously. You could stage the procedure if you are hoping to avoid the scar burden associated with lift. This would allow you to evaluate the appearance of your post explantation breasts and then decide whether to proceed with a lift. As always, discuss your concerns with a board certified plastic surgeon (ABPS).
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November 28, 2018
Answer: Post explant appearance Following explant, there is bound to be some degree of deflation and skin laxity. Some of the skin will recoil, but, depending upon the volume lost (in your case significant), some of the skin will not snap back and remain lax. Often times, these patients will need a lift/mastopexy, if they chose not to replace the volume lost. With regards to your specific question, I would expect some skin laxity post explantation, at least initially. You have youth on your side which may allow for greater recoil due to the inherent elasticity of the skin. Ultimately, this often a function of the degree to which the skin was initially stretched with augmentation. This may take several months to settle. However, if the snap back is not satisfactory, this may necessitate a lift. Explant and lift do not necessarily have to be done simultaneously. You could stage the procedure if you are hoping to avoid the scar burden associated with lift. This would allow you to evaluate the appearance of your post explantation breasts and then decide whether to proceed with a lift. As always, discuss your concerns with a board certified plastic surgeon (ABPS).
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November 21, 2018
Answer: Breast implant removal There are many factors that go into determining how your breasts may look after removing the implants. Some include the amount of breast tissue you have, the size of the implants, your skin elasticity, and the length of time the implants have been in place. Many women elect to have a breast lift performed when the implants are removed in order to address shape concerns. The best place to begin is a consultation with a board certified plastic surgeon near you.
Helpful 1 person found this helpful
November 21, 2018
Answer: Breast implant removal There are many factors that go into determining how your breasts may look after removing the implants. Some include the amount of breast tissue you have, the size of the implants, your skin elasticity, and the length of time the implants have been in place. Many women elect to have a breast lift performed when the implants are removed in order to address shape concerns. The best place to begin is a consultation with a board certified plastic surgeon near you.
Helpful 1 person found this helpful