Do the nipples always have to be moved for a successful breast lift after implant removal?

Implant removal does not always require a breast lift. A breast lift does involve moving the areola to a more superior position. There is a situation of glandular ptosis without true ptosis wherein only inframammary skin removal may be necessary. Find a plastic surgeon with ELITE credentials who performs hundreds of breast implant removals, breast augmentation revisions, and breast augmentations each year. Then look at the plastic surgeon's website before and after photo galleries to get a sense of who can deliver the results. Kenneth Hughes, MD Los Angeles, CA

Thank you for your question. The answers to your questions depend on a variety of factors.  How large are your implants?  What is your skin like?  Do you have ptosis?  This will help determine if you need a lift or not.  As far as finding a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon, a good place to look is the website for ASPS or ASAPS.  Discuss with them your goals.  Together you will come up with a plan.

In some cases a woman may desire a lift after implants are removed.  This can usually be determined ahead of time based on breast measurements.  There is nothing wrong with removing the implants only at the first operation and waiting until you heal to determine if you desire a lift.

Unfortunately, you will always need a nipple lift as part of a breast uplift procedure. There are not many variations of this. Best of luck.

Thank you for your question.Not every patient who removes their breast implants will need a breast lift procedure - it will depend on your specific case. If in fact you do need the breast lifting surgery then yes, the nipple/areola complex will be moved during the breast lifting surgery.Discuss your concerns with your plastic surgeon and allow him/her to help you with your decisions.Best wishes.

Breast lift means decreasing the skin envelope of the breast and moving the nipples to the right position on the breast

I do a lot of this type of surgery. There comes a time when many women physically and mentally outgrow their breast implants. It sounds like you have arrived.Having smaller breasts will likely make you look slimmer even if the rest of your body stays the same. This is seen all the time in heavy ladies who have their breasts reduced. The first thing they hear from their friends is "have you lost weight"?Lifting the breast usually involves a shift in nipple position but does not involve "moving the nipple" as in removing it and then pasting it into a higher position. I am always amazed at how many patients think we have to cut the nipples off, put them in a bowl and then sew them back on at the end of the procedure. That, in my practice, is never the case with a breast lift and almost never the case with big breast reductions, even really big ones. The blog I've included shows how the nipple position is shifted up without the nipple ever leaving the underlying breast.I encourage you to look into having you implants out once and for all. My implant removal patients are almost always very happy and very relieved to be implant free.

I can understand your concern with posting photos, but without them there is no way to comment on your specific situation. A breast lift does involve nipple repositioning, and is done specifically for patients with low nipples. If that is not your case you may have other options. Find an experienced ssureon in your area and he can give you advice specific to your concerns.