How Long Will It Take for my Natural Breasts to Regain Shape After Implant Removal? (photo)

Question

4 weeks ago I underwent breast augmentation surgery. I was an a cup & gained 360cc low profile tear drop implants. A week post op I began to experience pain in the right breast & 10 days postop clear fluid began leaking from the scar. Although my PS stitched the scar & I began hard antibiotics, the scar split completely open. I had to have both implants removed in an emergency surgery. I want to know if what I'm left with will "fluff" as my current breasts are 100x worse than before the surgery!

Tom J. Pousti, MD · Answer

I'm sorry to hear about the complications you have experienced after breast augmentation surgery. Unfortunately, it will take several months ( and even up to one year) for your breasts to “regain” their starting shape. Based on your “starting point” ( preop picture),  I think that it is very likely that you will end up with a pretty shape once the breast skin/tissues have “bounced back”.

	 If you do decide to have your breasts re augmented,  timing for this operation will be very important.  This timing is a judgment call best made by you and your surgeon based on the "aggressiveness" of the infection that you experienced as well as how you are doing clinically.

	 Best wishes;  hopefully you will be pleased with the long-term aesthetic  appearance of your breasts ( whether you decide to proceed with further surgery or not).

Jed H. Horowitz, MD, FACS · Answer

Good day! Generally after explantation, the shape and size of the breast will be unpredictable. The breast will 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 after or 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

Jeffrey J. Roth, MD, FACS · Answer

Thank you for the photos. Sorry to hear about your troubles.  You are still very early in the post operative course. Often there will be pleating that usually resolves. There may be other issues that pertain to your particular case.  The skin will contract, but sometimes there is extra skin that need to be removed.  In your case, the implants were in for only a short while.  You also did not stretch the skin out too much with a large implant.  You should have a good result, but it will take several months to a year to really see.  Please talk with your board certified plastic surgeon.  Discuss your concerns. Together you can make a plan that should work for the both of you.

Kenneth Hughes, MD · Answer

The breast shape should return to a similar state as that of the preoperative breast shape if the implants were only in for 4 weeks.  This may take several months.  Kenneth Hughes, MD Los Angeles, CA

George Bitar, MD · Answer

Your breasts will return to reasonably normal in a few months as the swelling resolves.  After the swelling and infection clear, it is safe to re-augment the breasts. Infection is a risk of the operation, albeit a rare one. Best wishes on your recovery.

How Long Will It Take for my Natural Breasts to Regain Shape After Implant Removal? (photo)

Answers (9)

Answer: 4 Weeks after Breast Augmentation and Removal - Will Breast Shape Return?

Answer: 4 Weeks after Breast Augmentation and Removal - Will Breast Shape Return?

Answer: Breasts Will Normalize over Months

Answer: Breasts Will Normalize over Months

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Everything you need to know about Breast Implant Removal

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How Long Will It Take for my Natural Breasts to Regain Shape After Implant Removal? (photo)

Answers (9)

Answer: 4 Weeks after Breast Augmentation and Removal - Will Breast Shape Return?

Answer: 4 Weeks after Breast Augmentation and Removal - Will Breast Shape Return?

Answer: Breasts Will Normalize over Months

Answer: Breasts Will Normalize over Months

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Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Breast Implant Removal

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.