Breast implants are an excellent way of improving the appearance of the breast by changing its shape, size, and contour. Implants can last from 10 to more than 20 years after which they need to be removed or replaced. Breast implants are also removed in people who have the symptoms of Breast Implant Illness, and those people who need their implants removed because of having or have a risk of having ALCL (Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma) associated with their textured implants.
Breast implant removal and lift is the procedure for you if you are looking to get your implants removed while retaining the proper contour of your breast.
Implant Removal and Lift – How Combined Procedures Perform
Explant surgery is a surgical procedure to remove breast implants following the development of implants related complications or when the implants have run their due course.
Following the removal of small breast implants, particularly in younger women, the skin may adjust to the volume changes and return to its original shape. However in some women, due to age-related loss of skin elasticity, this may not happen and the skin around the breast may sag.
Breast lift is a cosmetic surgical procedure to raise and reshape the breast to restore its perky appearance. It helps get rid of excess saggy skin around the breasts which may be present following implant removal surgery.
These two surgical procedures can be effectively combined for best results related to implant removal especially in women with poor skin elasticity and women requiring removal of large implants.
Mastopexy can be performed along with implant removal surgery in one procedure. Also, you can wait and see if the tissues around the breast naturally return to their original state and then 3-6 months after removal surgery, you can do lift surgery if needed.
Benefits of Implant Removal and Lift
The benefits with these procedure include but are not limited to:
- Tightening of the breast tissue after removal.
- Promotion of aesthetic and contoured look of the breast after implant removal.
- Getting rid of the deflated appearance of the breast following implant removal.
- Counteraction of age-related skin sagging.
- Improved contour and regained refreshed appearance around the breast area which may help you gain the aesthetic results you desire.
Discussing your risks and benefits of the surgery in your consultation session with Dr Doyle will help you assess if the combined surgery is the correct fit for you.
Good Candidate
You are a good candidate for breast implant removal and lift surgery if you:
- Would like to have your implants removed but still want perky breasts.
- Are dissatisfied with the look following implant placement or have developed complications following its placement and want to get it removed.
- Want to prevent breast sagging after implant removal.
- Have damaged implants.
- Suffer from ALCL or Breast Implant Illness
- Are in good physical and mental health.
- Have realistic expectations about their surgery.
- Are willing to stop smoking before and after the surgery.
Breast Implant Removal and Lift Recovery
It’s normal to experience some degree of bruising or swelling after the procedure. The swelling gradually subsides over weeks. Wearing a compression bra over your breasts helps minimise bruising and swelling, following the surgery and promotes quicker healing. Compression garments should be worn for six weeks following your procedure.
You will be able to resume normal office work after about 1-2 weeks following your surgery. Avoid engaging in any strenuous physical activity for at least 3-4 weeks after the procedure. Lifting heavy weights or stretching is strongly not recommended. Avoid smoking as it interferes with the wound healing process. Intake of fibre or protein-rich diets and fresh vegetables helps to speed up recovery following the surgery.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Are the Complications Associated with Implant Removal and Lift?
Complications with the procedure include:
- Excessive bleeding
- Infection at the incision site
- Poor and excessive scarring
- Temporary or permanent loss of sensation around the breast and nipple
- Breast contour and shape irregularities
- Breast asymmetry
- Fat necrosis
- Hematoma and seroma formation.
- Potential partial or total loss of nipple and areola.
- Deep vein thrombosis
What Do Breasts Look Like after Implant Removal?
Following breast implant insertion, the skin around the breast gets stretched to accommodate the increase in breast volume. When these implants are removed the breast decreases in size, and the extra skin surrounding the implant which was kept in position by the implant, sags.
However, whether your breast will sag following implant removal is dependent on the elastic property of your skin. As in women with good skin quality, the skin will adapt to adjust with the volume change.
Some people choose implant replacement after removal while others may choose only breast lift or none.
Will My Insurance Cover for Combined Breast Implant Removal and Lift?
As the procedure is done mostly for cosmetic purposes to improve the appearance of the breast, your insurance will most likely not cover the procedure and you will be expected to bear the expenses of the procedure in full. Your insurance may cover you in part, for implant removal if your breast implants have ruptured, or you have a severe capsular contraction. It is uncommon for there to be item numbers for your breast lift. This will be determined in your initial consultation and insurance will only pay some of the cost of your surgery if it attracts a Medicare rebate.
Book a Consultation
Book a consultation with our skilled specialist plastic surgeon, Dr Mark Doyle, to discuss the procedure in detail and decide if you would like to undergo breast implant removal combined with a breast lift.
About Dr Mark Doyle FRACS (Plas) – Queensland Plastic Surgeon
Servicing patients in Gold Coast, Brisbane, Sunshine Coast, Cairns and New South Wales NSW – Northern Rivers, Byron Bay, Ballina, Lismore and more.
Dr Mark Doyle is a Specialist Plastic Surgeon with over thirty years of experience performing Breast, Body, Face and Nose surgery. Dr Doyle is a fully qualified Specialist Plastic Surgeon with 30+ years of experience. He has completed all required training and only carries out approved surgical practices. There are absolutely NO undertrained doctors or cosmetic doctors acting as surgeons in our clinic.
As a highly esteemed plastic surgeon, Dr Mark is committed to achieving the best possible results for all his breast, body, face and nose patients, both men and women.
