Got mentor gel implants under the muscle 11 years ago, does the breast shrink back to normal over time?

Hi Sammi_05,Thanks for your inquiry. Your breasts have undergone some changes over the 11 years since you have had the implants. I definitely recommend undergoing an Explant with a Total Capsulectomy. This can be combined with a lift which is best determined by several factors. A lift is beneficial if the tissue/skin has stretched out considerably, the breasts have dropped leaving the nipple/areola at a low position and if the areola size has increased. If you meet these criteria then you will benefit from a lift. If you have a descent volume of breast tissue then a lift can help reposition this tissue to create some fullness and reconstruct the breasts. Hope this helps!Dr. Dev

Good question! Typically, the breast tissue will decompress, commonly referred to as fluffing postoperatively, and the skin tightens to some degree for many patients. This can occur for months to even one year after breast implant removal surgery. The degree of fluffing and skin retraction is highly variable from patient to patient due to several factors such as patient age, the thickness of one's subcutaneous breast tissue, and skin elasticity. The fact that you are only 31 years old likely increases your chance of having better skin elasticity than an older patient. You can refer to my website (drstraka.com) to see examples of breast implant removal patients who had simultaneous breast lifts and others who chose not to undergo or did not require breast lift surgery after their implant removal. The best way to estimate what your breasts would look like after breast implant removal would be to undergo an in-office examination by a plastic surgeon who is very experienced at performing breast implant removal surgery. That doctor could also determine if you would benefit from a simultaneous breast lift procedure. These are procedures which I personally have performed for over 25 years. I wish you the best of luck!

Hello @Sammi_05, thank you for your question. The shape after explant depends on the specialist surgical technique and this varies from doctor to doctor. It is very important to completely remove the capsule, when the capsule remains in the body it is not reabsorbed and your body may show responses to the capsules. My opinion is that breast implant removal should be combined with immediate breast reconstruction to reposition the breast tissue and enhance the projection of the upper pole and medial areas using the BRALAN (Breast Reconstruction Anatomical Lift Augmentation) Technique as the results will be aesthetically appropriate and have minimal L-shaped scarring. If you are considering a breast lift, consultation with a plastic surgeon experienced in this procedure is essential to ensure optimal results. Best of luck!

Alan Gonzalez MD, FACS. Member of the American Society of Plastic Surgery (ASPS), Member of the International Federation of Adipose Therapeutics and Science (IFATS), Member of the Colombian Society of Plastic Surgery (SCCP).