Should I get a lollipop lift with explant? (Photo)

Great question!  The answer to your question all depends on your ultimate goal.  Also how important is scarring to you.  Most patient do not like excess scars so they op for explanation and seeing how the tissue retract.  The tissues will retract to a certain point, just like after pregnancy, but to what degree will be difficult to tell.  You would then wait about 6-12 months for the tissues to stabilize.  If you are happy then nothing else needs to be done, if you feel they are still saggy then you can have a breast lift done.  Doing it this way could potentially save you on scars, but it is a long waiting game.  The other option is to do it all together.  This way you wouldn't have saggy breasts, but you will have scars on your breasts for life.  Only with a consultation and an examination, as well as reviewing your goals, can the right recommendation be provided for you.Best of luck and hope this information helps!- Dr. Roger Tsai  @DrRogerTsaiBoard Certified Plastic Surgeon

To properly answer this question would require a physical examination. Photographs alone are not adequate in this situation. Since your surgeon has already performed the examination it is probable that a lift would not be necessary. You also always have the option of deferring the lift now and returning for the procedure if you are unhappy with the appearance. 

Good morning!
My approach in almost all cases is the following:
1) en bloc capsulectomy/explant
2) drain for five days
3) tight compression bra for 12 weeks
With this approach I almost never have to go back and perform a lift
because the skin has such an amazing ability to "shrink back down" to
your preop size and shape.

Dear msl7366,
it is hard to tell for sure without an examination. You can get implant removal, wait some time to see the reuslts of your surgery and later get a breast lift if there is a need. Or you can get both procedures at the same time. 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

Hello and thanks for your question. With removal of the implants, the breast will decrease in volume and the breast may appear to be sagging more because it has lost the volume. If you are concerned about this, a lift can be performed to raise the nipple areola complex into a more youthful position. The extra skin can be excised and the shape of the breast altered so it doesn't look like its sagging. Thanks, Dr. Ali 

It is impossible to answer this question without an in-person exam.  However, based on the photo, I would typically recommend a breast lift.
Often, this procedure can be fairly straightforward, however can be more involved depending on what the patient brings to the table, ie skin quality, skin envelope, scar capsules, etc.
Definitely see your board certified plastic surgeon.
I hope this is helpful, best of luck!

Based on your goals, a lift is probably recommended.  One option is to remove the implants and allow the breasts to heal.  If you are unhappy with the result you can return for a lift.  If you are wanting everything in one stage then you should probably proceed with a lift.  Be sure that you are seeing a board certified plastic surgeon and that you are comfortable and confident in your surgical plan.

Thank you for the excellent question.   Nothing will replace in-person evaluation when it comes to providing you with good advice.  In other words, whether to lift breasts at the same time as  removal of breast implants or "stage" the procedures is a decision that is best individualized.   Every patient starts out with different anatomy, different goals/expectations, as well as different  preferences…
 I have found in my practice, that when breast lifting surgery is definitely going to be necessary in order to achieve an aesthetically pleasing outcome, MOST patients prefer to have the breast lifting performed at the time of breast implant removal.   Most patients simply do not wish to undergo two operations, if avoidable.
 On the other hand, there are patients who (where safety considerations such as potential for loss of blood supply to tissues…), benefit from a two-stage approach.   For example, there are patients who benefit from the following operation: removal of breast implants and capsulectomy surgery,  if indicated based on the patient's clinical situation and examination (in the first stage).  A second stage breast lift may be more accurately planned and more safely executed.
 
  
In "borderline" cases where there is doubt whether breast lifting is necessary or not, I advise patients to undergo explantation only and to give their breasts the benefit of the doubt  before deciding whether breast lifting would be beneficial.  Patience is definitely indicated after removal of breast implants; it will take many months/year for the skin to “bounce back” and for you to see the final appearance of the breasts.
 
 As you can see, there is much to consider (which is why nothing replaces individualized care,  centered on good communication and good judgment, provided by a well experienced board-certified plastic surgeon). 
My best advice: select your plastic surgeon carefully. Make sure that he/she has significant experience achieving the types of outcomes you will be pleased with. Then, communicate your goals carefully, as well. Working together you will come up with a good plan to achieve your goals.  
Best wishes.

Have the implants removed and see how much your skin retracts when healed, before considering a lift.  You may not need a lift.

Without an exam to determine how much of your volume is implant vs breast tissue, it would not be possible to give you any reliable advice. In most cases it is better to have the explant and wait 6-12 weeks for the tissues to adjust. About 1/2 my patients that follow this advice find out they do not want or need a lift.