Are lifts always necessary after explant en bloc with total capsulectomy?

Question

I am looking for a surgeon to perform these procedures, however, I've received different responses on whether a lift is necessary or not. I went from a B cup to full C cup, saline implants.

Bianca Knoll, MD · Answer

Thank you for posting your question. It is not always necessary to perform a breast lift after breast implant removal. If a breast lift is recommended depends majorly of the remaining breast tissue, quality of the skin, the sagginess of your breast, and what breast shape you are desiring after  implant removal.  Kind regardsBianca Knoll

Erik Miles, MD, FACS · Answer

Implants are routinely removed without doing a breast lift.   It is also common to have a lift. It really depends on your breast tissue and what your goals are for an end result. Sometimes it is actually safer to wait before you do the lift depending on how thin your tissue is. Discuss your concerns with a reputable board-certified plastic surgeon who is experienced with breast surgery.  Best wishes!

Daniel Barrett, MD · Answer

Dear runnerrunner,it will depend on the shape of your breast after implant removal and your goals. You also have an option to remove the implants now and wait until you are fully healed to see the final shape of your breasts. If you end up with breasts that you don't like, you will have an option to do the lift. 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, MHA, MS 
Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery  
Member, Am. Society of Plastic Surgery

Camille Cash, MD · Answer

A lift is not always necessary.  It will depend on the patient's skin elasticity, the amount of breast tissue, the amount of ptosis, the size of the implants, and the length of time the implants were in place.  An in person exam with a board certified plastic surgeon will be the best predictor of what is needed in your situation.

Tom J. Pousti, MD · Answer

Thank you for the excellent question. Short answer: much will depend on your physical examination ( factors such as degree of breast ptosis, current position of breast implants, number of previous operations, assessment of breast skin quality/elasticity…) and your plastic surgeons' clinical judgment.   Generally speaking what breasts look like after explantation depends on several factors such as: the quality of skin elasticity (the better the elasticity the better the skin will bounce back), the size of the implants used (the larger the implant the more trouble you may have with redundant skin), and the amount of breast tissue present at this time (which may have changed since the time of your breast augmentation).
Life experience since your breast augmentation procedure, such as pregnancy or weight gain weight loss, will potentially influence the factors discussed above. If you take these factors into consideration and apply them to your specific circumstances you may get a good idea of what to expect after the implants are remIn "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 (allow for about six months to pass after breast implant removal) before deciding whether breast lifting would be beneficial. I hope this helps. Best wishes.

Scott Thellman, MD · Answer

This can sometimes be very difficult to determine preoperatively in borderline cases.  It depends on the amount of breast tissue present, skin quality, size of implants, etc.  It also depends significantly on the patient's idea of what constitutes a satisfactory result.  Some patients are happy to accept some sagging and deflation, others aren't.  If there's any doubt in your mind or the surgeon's you can have the implants removed, allow the tissues to heal and then see if you are satisfied.  If not, a lift can be performed as a second procedure.  Hope it goes well for you!

Hilton Becker, MD · Answer

Lifts are not always necessary after implant removalIt is often possible to re adjust the breast tissue and close of the pocket reducing the need for a lift.Fat grafting can also be done at the time of implant removall

Benjamin J. Cousins, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question and post. Generally, the implants are removed with (and if needed) the capsule or most of the capsule. A lift can be done later down the road once things settle and the skin/breast/muscle have contracted and healed or at the same time as the ex-planted breast settles. Be sure to see a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon who can examine you in person and take time to answer any and all questions you may have.
  
Sincerely,
  
Dr. Benjamin J. Cousins MD Board Certified Plastic Surgeon Miami/Miami Beach FL

Kelly Killeen, MD, FACS · Answer

No, it is not always necessary to have a breast lift after explant.  It really depends on how much native breast tissue you have, the quality of your skin, how droopy you are starting, the size of your implants, and, your desired look.  It is very common in plastic surgery to get varying opinions.  Pick the surgeon you are comfortable with and go with their recommendations.  Good luck!

Scott L. Replogle, MD (retired) · Answer

Breast lifts are never "necessary" as it's a cosmetic procedure to improve the shape of the breast. It's a misconception that putting in implants lifts the breast and taking them out makes the breasts sag. It's an illusion created by the forward volume of the implant particularly in the upper pole. The benefit of a breast lift is when the nipple-areola sits significantly lower than the inframammary crease behind the breast. It should also be mentioned that most explants of breast implants do not need an en bloc or total capsulectomy. The only reason to remove the scar tissue layer around the implant (capsule) is when it is abnormal or affecting the shape/appearance of the breast. Removing the capsule makes the explant operation bigger and bloodier and also heals with another scar tissue layer.

Are lifts always necessary after explant en bloc with total capsulectomy?

Answers (10)

More En Bloc Capsulectomy Questions

How much does it cost to have explant surgery with enbloc and fat transfer?

I am explanting. Is it important to explant en bloc and does the muscle have to be sewn back?

I've had silicone implants since 2004. Implants are hard and causing breathing problems. Is en bloc the way to go?

Who is the best breast explant surgeon in the GTA?

Seeking an 'en bloc' capsulectomy in the UK, preferaby near South Wales

Will it be safe to drive seven hours alone 5 days post explant?

WE SEND PRETTY
EMAILS