Will a breast lift correct asymmetry after explant? (photos)

Question

I am looking at explant, full capsulectomy and a lift. Will the lift help with asymmetry? I am in my 40’s, I’ve had my implants for 10 years. I was a small B before augmentation and a full C after. Textured implants roughly 415cc each.

Joel Patrick Maier, MD · Answer

Yes, a breast lift can help make your breasts more symmetric. However, not completely. If you look at your photo, you will see that your left breast is located a few centimetres higher than you right breast. This is common if not normal occurrence. Still, implant removal with a lift can help rejuvenate, tighten and lift your breasts. Thank you.

Alan Gonzalez, MD, FACS · Answer

Hello @REW80, thank you for your question. My opinion is that a breast implant removal should be combined with immediate breast reconstruction to reposition the breast tissue and improve projection of the upper pole and medial areas using the BRALAN Technique (Breast Reconstruction Anatomical Lift Augmentation) since the results will be adequate in terms of aesthetics and have a minimal scar in the shape of an L. If you are considering a breast explantation, consultation with a plastic surgeon who is experienced in this procedure is essential to ensure optimal results. Best wishes!

Alan Gonzalez MD, FACS. American Society of Plastic Surgery Member (ASPS), International Federation for Adipose Therapeutics and Science” Member (IFATS), Colombian Society of Plastic Surgery member (SCCP)

Alan Gonzalez MD, FACS. American Society of Plastic Surgery Member (ASPS),   International Federation for Adipose Therapeutics and Science” Member (IFATS), Colombian Society of Plastic Surgery member (SCCP)

Dev Vibhakar, DO, FACS · Answer

Hi!Congratulations on your decision to Explant! A lift will definitely help correct some of your asymmetry. Your nipple areola position and size will be higher and smaller. Your breast footprints (shape) are slightly different so that natural shape difference post Explant will persist. Overall, after the explant and lift they will look more like sisters - not twins.Hope this helps,Dr Dev

Emre Guvercin, MD, FEBOPRAS · Answer

Will a Breast Lift Correct Asymmetry After Explant? (Yes &mdash; If It’s the Right Kind of Lift)Yes &mdash; a breast lift can significantly correct asymmetry after implant removal, and in your situation it is not just helpful, it’s essential for a pleasing, balanced result.Why asymmetry is common after explantAfter 10 years with ~415 cc textured implants, several things typically happen:The implant pockets stretch unevenlyBreast tissue descends at different ratesOne side often becomes wider, lower, or flatter than the otherAfter explant, these differences become more obvious, not lessA full capsulectomy alone does not correct this &mdash; it removes the implant and capsule, but it does not reshape the breast.How a lift corrects asymmetryA properly planned lift allows the surgeon to:Reposition each nipple independently to the same heightRedistribute your own breast tissue to balance volume side-to-sideCorrect differences in lower-pole length and breast widthRebuild a symmetrical breast footprint on the chest wallThis is where technique matters.Why a Push-Up Lift is ideal after explantA Push-Up Lift (supportive mastopexy) goes beyond skin tightening. It:Reshapes and supports the breast internallyAllows asymmetric tailoring (very important in revision cases)Restores projection and roundness without implantsProduces a more stable, long-term correctionThis is especially important in patients in their 40s, where skin elasticity is reduced and symmetry cannot be achieved by skin excision alone.What to expect realisticallyAfter explant + Push-Up Lift:Breasts will be smaller than with implants, but well-shapedAsymmetry is usually dramatically improvedPerfect mirror-image symmetry isn’t realistic &mdash; but natural, balanced symmetry isMost patients feel their breasts look better than they did pre-implants

Mario Arturo Moran Romero, MD · Answer

Perfect symmetry is very difficult to achieve, especially after implants and natural asymmetry. However, when performing an explant with a breast lift, there are definitely things we can do to improve balance.Usually, I remove a little more tissue from the larger breast and, if needed, add some volume with fat grafting to the smaller side. Sometimes more than one procedure is necessary to get the best possible result &mdash; especially if the skin or tissue has been stretched or thinned over time. Sometimes we need both &mdash; a little plus, fat grafting, a little minus, removing tissue, &mdash; to get the best balance. It’s important to know that perfect symmetry is not realistic, but the goal is always a natural and proportionate result that looks good in and out of clothes.

Jeffrey M. Darrow, MD · Answer

Carefully measured markings for a breast lift which places the nipple and areola at the same level and created a symmetrical skin envelope for each breast should help you achieve as much symmetry as possible.  The only remaining issue would be if you have significantly more breast tissue in one breast, so one breast looks larger.

Krishna Vyas, MD, PhD, MHS · Answer

Yes, a breast lift can help correct asymmetry after explant surgery, but it may not completely resolve it. A lift can improve the position and shape of the breasts, particularly by addressing issues like sagging or changes in nipple position caused by the loss of implant volume. For patients who have had implants for many years, as in your case, a lift can rejuvenate the breast tissue, tighten the skin, and provide more symmetry, but some natural asymmetry may still remain.
It's important to note that the success of the lift in correcting asymmetry will depend on factors like the amount of remaining natural breast tissue and the degree of asymmetry prior to surgery. If there is significant volume loss after explantation, some patients may still experience minor asymmetry. A detailed consultation with an experienced plastic surgeon will help you understand the options available and what results to realistically expect based on your unique anatomy and goals.
Krishna Vyas, MD, PhD, MHSHarvard, Hopkins, & Mayo Clinic Trained Aesthetic Plastic SurgeonNew York, New York

Jose Perez-Gurri, MD, FACS · Answer

Thanks for your question. From the photos submitted, the left side seems to be more ptotic (droopy) than the right side. More and more women today are undergoing explantation and opting to have a lift. An exam will reveal how much of your own breast tissue is present and how much of the total breast volume is accounted for by the implant. If there is sufficient breast tissue to lift and form an adequate breast mound there will be no need for an implant. Good luck, Doc PG

Shaher W. Khan, MD · Answer

Hello, thank you for your question. Many different factors can be causing your asymmetry. Please view the attached video to hear potential causes. Explanting your implants alone will restore your breast to their natural size but removal alone is unlikely to fully address breast asymmetry. In my practice, I perform a pseudolift for each patient. The removal of implants will likely result in some loss of volume, and there may be some sagging or deflation, which can make asymmetry more noticeable. If asymmetry is a primary concern, a lift or further revision surgery might be necessary to correct the shape and position of the breasts after explantation. A detailed consultation with a surgeon will help determine the best course of action based on your specific needs and goals.

Arif Eroglu, MD · Answer

Hello,
With breast lifting, as much symmetry as possible can be achieved. However, it is also worth noting that when small-sized breasts without implants are lifted, they may appear smaller than before

Will a breast lift correct asymmetry after explant? (photos)

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