Small tuberous breasts- had lift and implants. Will tuberousness be corrected after explant? (Photos)

It is hard to tell from your photo, but it does not look like you have typical tuberous breasts. Have you considered fat transfer to the breast? It is a great option to help with shape and fullness in patients that do not want implants. Thank you for the inquiry!

Short answer: No, your breasts do not have to revert to a tuberous shape after explant — if the revision is done correctly. And yes, this is exactly where a Push-Up Lift (supportive mastopexy) is the right solution Why tuberous shape doesn’t automatically come backTuberous breasts are caused by:A constricted lower poleAbnormal internal fascial bandsPoor distribution of native breast tissueWhen you had your original lift + implants, those constricting elements were at least partially released and your tissue was redistributed. That structural correction does not disappear just because implants are removed.What does happen after explant is:Loss of implant volumePotential skin laxityRisk of flattening if tissue is not re-supportedThat’s where technique matters.How to maintain a round, non-tuberous shape without implantsA skilled explant revision using a Push-Up Lift focuses on:Re-releasing any residual constriction in the lower poleRedistributing your own breast tissue centrally and inferiorlyRebuilding internal support, not relying on skin aloneMaintaining a round breast footprint, even at a smaller sizeThis approach reshapes the breast from the inside, so the breast stays:RoundSoftNaturalNon-tuberousWhat to avoidAfter explant, tuberous features are more likely to reappear if:Only implants are removed with no reshapingA skin-only or limited lift is performedInternal support is not recreatedThat’s why “just explant” or a minimal lift often leads to disappointment in patients who originally had tuberous breasts.

Dear Versatile34571,

it is hard to predict the shape of your breasts after you get implants removal but they should have better shape than prior to initial surgery. 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

In your pre-operative photograph, your breasts were low on the chest wall and not necessarily tuberous. You had a lollipop lift that was insufficient. At this time, I recommend explantation and lift using The Bellesoma Method. 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. Vertical scars are avoided, nipple sensation (in 95%) and the ability to breast feed are maintained if not injured during your previous surgery. Later, fat transfers can be performed if additional volume is desired.

Best Wishes,

Gary Horndeski, M.D.

Thanks for your pictures and questions. The answer is "it depends." Generally speaking, if your surgeon made an effort to repair the tuberous deformity at the time of the implant, then some of those internal things should be corrected. However, there are plenty of surgeons out there who do not adequately recognize and treat the tuberous problem and just throw in the implant and move on. In addition, the implant often is used in breast deformity cases to "impart" its shape upon the breast and when that implant is removed, the breast sometimes has an uncanny ability to return "back to normal" and retake some of the original shape. Best thing would be to discuss with your plastic surgeon if any procedures could be done at the time of the removal to alter the shape or contour of the breast for a more ideal outcome.
Best of luck!
Dallas Buchanan, MD
VIVIFY plastic surgery
Tampa, FL

Judging by the way things look now, I would say and explant and lift would be the way to go. You did not have significantly tuberous breast before surgery so you should be fine after the removal and lift, obviously using a skilled surgeon who understands and has lots of experience with explant surgeries in the past.

Hope that helps

I would recommend not going with an explant all together but an exchange to implants that would result in improved symmetry and a more natural result as well as improving nipple-areola size.

Since you have had your implant over two years, you should be able to maintain a better shape after the removal.

Your breast shape after implant removal will be influenced by if the constricted bands were addressed by your surgeon in your initial surgery. Your tissues should have stretched somewhat due to the presence of the implants, but the degree to which the constriction has changed permanently is unknown.