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Will I Need a Breast Lift With My Breast Implant Removal?
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Most women undergoing a breast augmentation don’t necessarily think about permanently removing their implants sometime in the future, a procedure known as an explantation. This is true whether they are in their 20s, 30s, 40s or older.
They just want to look great and feel confident and attractive going forward in their lives.
Reasons Why a Woman May Want an Explantation
There are many reasons a woman would decide to have her implants taken out permanently. Some of the more common reasons include:
- Implant rupture
- Capsular contracture
- Change in her aesthetic tastes
- Breasts have become much larger over the years due to significant weight gain
- Is far more active and desires smaller breasts
- Having issues with her breast implants
- Just don’t want implants anymore for no specific reason
- Concerned about breast implant illness (BII)
Will Your Breasts be Droopy After Implant Removal?
So what will your breasts look like once the implants are removed?
Will they look somewhat like they did before the implants were placed, or will they be droopy?
The answer as to whether or not your breasts will be droopy after an explantation depends on numerous variables, most of which are quite individualized. Ultimately, your plastic surgeon can give you a better idea of what to expect after your implants are removed.
The drooping, clinically called ptosis, results from stretching of the breast skin and tissues themselves. There is a loss of elasticity, structural support and, consequently, the youthful shape. The occurrence and the extent of this are influenced by numerous factors.
Some of these include:
- Implant size
- Placement of implants above versus below the muscle
- Saline versus silicone implants
- Quality of the skin and breast tissue at the time of the initial breast augmentation
- The period of time that you have had the implants
- Intervening health issues
- Weight gain and extent
- Weight fluctuations
- Pregnancies
- Breastfeeding
- The extent of wearing a supportive bra
- Genetics
- Aging
- Activity level
- Smoking
- Tanning
- Sun exposure
If your breasts are droopy after an explanation, you may want to consider a breast lift to improve their appearance.
What Is a Breast Lift?
A breast lift is a cosmetic procedure that addresses sagging breasts by tightening the breast tissues and skin. This addresses the laxity caused by aging, weight loss, implant removal and many other factors.
Does Every Implant Removal Need a Lift?
Not every woman who removes her implants “needs” a breast lift. In some cases, such as where the implants are small or haven’t been in place for long, the tissues and skin may return to how they were before breast augmentation. This is particularly true if the breasts were in great condition prior to this procedure.
If this is the case, there is no reason to undergo a breast lift.
When Can a Breast Lift Help After Implant Removal?
When necessary, a breast lift can improve the appearance of the breasts, resulting in more youthful, firm, perky and lifted breasts.
If there is lax skin with sagging, the breasts can look “tired” and deflated, the nipple-areola complexes may be situated lower than ideal or are even stretched out. If this is the case, then this procedure should be strongly considered.
Should You Have a Breast Reduction After Your Explantation?
The breasts may still be very large after implant removal if there is considerable weight gain over time. In this situation, breast reduction may need to be considered. This procedure intrinsically involves a breast lift.
Is a Breast Lift Right for You?
Just because your breasts are saggy, soft, have reduced projection and are not very youthful doesn’t mean that you must have a breast lift. You may benefit from the procedure, but it is not medically necessary.
This is a personal decision for you to make based on your desires, priorities and other factors.
However, if you do decide that you want to rejuvenate your breasts with a breast lift, a reputable plastic surgeon, board certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery, can assist you in your decision-making. He/she can provide you with an abundance of information as well as recommendations from incision types to expectations, risks and possible untoward outcomes.
Are You Interested in a Breast Implant Removal and Breast Lift?
Dr. Steven Turkeltaub, board-certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery, has decades of experience enhancing women’s breasts with primary and revision breast procedures, including breast lifts and explantations.
Contact us today at (480) 451-3000 or complete our online form to schedule your consultation, determine your candidacy and learn more about our cosmetic breast surgery procedures.
Let us help you achieve your breast aesthetic goals.