Would I be right in expecting that I would be a B to a C cup after the explant? (photo)

Good morning,
I perform a lot of explants, and you do not need a lift. Everybody seems to want to explant and lift at the same time- and it just doesn't make a lot of sense to me. I would do a capsulectomy/explant, place a drain on each side for five days, and then have you wear a nice tight compression bra for 12 weeks postop. It is absolutely amazing how the skin envelope "shrinks back down" and with this approach 95% of patients go back to the way they looked pre-implants and do not need a lift! And yes I think you would be in the B+/C- size range.

At size 36, each 200 cc of implant corresponds to 1 cup size change. Removing 235 cc implants will take you down 1 cup size to a size D. The technique I recommend is a mini lift. Using a circumareola incision, your breast tissue is reshaped, elevated higher on the chest wall and more medial to increase your cleavage. At the same time, fat transfers can be placed.

Best Wishes,

Gary Horndeski, M.D.

Dear libertina,
it is hard to tell for sure without an examination. You can get implant removal and wait to see the final results and then decide whether you'll need breast lift. If you later want increase in size, you can get fat transfer. If you are considering a surgery, I would suggest you to 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

Thank you for sharing your question and photograph and I am sorry to hear of your implant issues. After removal I would anticipate a C-D cup range for your breasts and it would be unlikely to need a lift. Best wishes.

An examination would give more accurate information, but it is realistic to think you will be a B or C cup after removal if you were a C cup prior to implants. It does not appear from the photo that you'll need a lift. Be sure to visit with a board certified plastic surgeon near you to discuss your goals for surgery.

For now, you can just consider a removal. If needed, radiofrequency skin tightening, like ThermiTight could be done with minimal incision.