Is it possible to get a breast lift with an I.C.D. implant in my chest?

Hi kzrae,

I understand your concern. However, it is difficult to provide you with an accurate answer to your question with online consult. It is best that you visit a board certified plastic surgeon, so you can be properly assessed. Only after a thorough examination you will get more information and recommendations.

Daniel Barrett, MD, MHA, MS

Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery

Member, American Society of Plastic Surgery

Member, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

The answer is yes and no. Since a lift only involves removal of skin in the lower half of the breast that answer is yes. When it comes to implants and breast reductions I would usually say no. My experience with defibrillator/pacing implants in the breasts is that they distort breasts and stimulate scar tissue following more aggressive breast surgery. Once they do so further revision surgery is extremely difficult. A better option may be a lift (if indicated) and conservative fat graft sessions (if indicated). For safety reasons any such surgery is probably better performed in a hospital.

Thank you for your question.  Yes, it is possible.  You will just need clearance from your cardiologist that you're medically able to undergo the procedure.  Your plastic surgeon will probably want to do this in a hospital setting.Best,Dr. Michael EpsteinMAE Plastic SurgeryNorthbrook, IL

I suppose it would help to know why you have an ICD to start with?
It’s an elective cosmetic operation but the short answer is - if your cardiologist gives his or her blessing - then absolutely possible. I’ve done many cases along these lines.
I would do this in a hospital setting and not a physician office OR. 
Find a board certified member of asps/asaps for your consultation and good luck!

You could have this surgery safely.  The defibrillator can be deactivated before surgery.  Cardiac clearance preoperatively will ensure you will do well with the general anesthetic. 

Hey there,
Drooping and saggy breasts and breasts with loss of volume need augmentation with silicone implants of appropriate sizes along with a breast lift if necessary after assessment. There should be no contraindication for surgery if you are cleared to proceed by your cardiologist or your cardiothoracic surgeon.

Hope this helps.

It is possible to have a breast enlargement in your situation. Sometimes the cardiologist will relocate the device so it’s not located on your breast. You would want to discuss this with your cardiologist to see if you are a candidate. In addition sometimes the cardiologist, or pacemaker representative, will disable part of the difibulator prior to surgery and reactive it afterwards. I hope you find this information useful. Please watch the enclosed video.

Yes you can certainly have breast surgery with a ICD in place. Just as you would do for any other surgery you would have it performed in the hospital with staff that are familiar with an ICD and its management during the perioperative period But it can be done safely and the ICD should not be in a position to interfere with the lift or implants. 

The major question is why a 21 years old has an ICD??What is the underlying condition? Since this is an elective surgery our role as plastic surgeons is to minimize the patient risks and be prepared to say NO.If the surgery is to be done, it should be in coordination with your cardiologist, be done in a hospital.The position of the ICD will become more prominent as the breast implant will be pushing it forward.communication with the cardiologist on the use of epinephrine, and electrocuatery during surgery??Can the ICD be changed to under the muscle? That will depend if the wires are of enough length to be put under the muscle.What if you cardiologist needs to go back to change the ICD. Approach for the cardiologist would be difficult and will need the plastic surgeon!

I have done this in the past with good results. First we obtained clearance from the cardiologist. Secondly, we had the device rep shut it off so that we could use electric cautery during the operation. I actually repositioned the AICD below the breast tissue for the patient to make it less conspicuous. The device rep was available to turn it back on after the case was over.