“Breast explant surgery” refers to a procedure that removes breast implants previously put in place for augmentation. Each woman has her own unique reasons for choosing explantation.
Maybe her aesthetic tastes or style preferences have changed since her initial augmentation surgery, so she prefers to have their implants exchanged for a larger or smaller size - or removed completely. Maybe she experienced complications, such as a rupture or leak, and needs to have her implants replaced. (And remember, Dr. Brad Bengtson pioneered monitoring the health of your implants with our on-site high-resolution ultrasound that can detect any leaks or ruptures!) Or maybe she found that major life events - such as childbirth or significant weight loss - caused the shape and size of her breasts to change, so that her implants no longer have the same effect.
No matter the reason, breast implant removal is becoming more frequent in the United States. With that in mind, it's important to note that having your implants taken out doesn't mean your options will be limited after the procedure! There are various cosmetic options available for patients who have had an explant, all designed to create the most attractive outcome possible. One of the most effective post-explant procedures is a breast lift (mastopexy). Grand Rapids plastic surgeons, Dr. Brad Bengtson and Dr. David Alfonso, explain that there are three important things to know about what a lift can do:
1) It Restores the Appearance of the Breasts
Many women who have had implants for years will find that they have sagging breasts after their implants are removed. Having larger and heavier breasts will make them more likely to droop, since they give gravity more to pull down on. Simply performing breast augmentation with new implants won't necessarily address stretched-out skin that has grown inelastic with age. A breast lift, however, can elevate the breasts' position on the chest by getting rid of lax skin to pull them up into a more youthful position. Explant and lift surgeries are sometimes combined, or they can be performed separately, depending on the patient.
2) It Provides Volume and Pertness
Patients with larger implants that were in place for a longer time are more likely to notice more significant changes to their breasts after the devices have been removed. The breasts will likely look smaller than they did before, but having a breast lift prevents them from looking “deflated” after the implants have been taken out. A lift can also enhance breast shape to create a rounder, fuller form.
3) It Creates Better Nipple Projection
Your nipples and their areolae (those darker areas of skin surrounding them) are more features to consider. As breasts sag, nipples don't continue pointing up and out as they migrate downward. Instead, they tend to aim at the floor. A breast lift after explantation can reposition your nipples into a higher, perkier position.
Learn more about what's involved in a breast lift after explant surgery from our experienced Bengtson Center for Aesthetics & Plastic Surgery team. Get a head start on sculpting the body you want: Call us today at 616.588.8880 or send in a request for a consultation at our practice.
Written by Bengtson Center for Aesthetics & Plastic SurgeryAre you ready to take the next step to a more beautiful you? Plastic Surgeons Dr. Bengtson and Dr. Alfonso, along with the team at The Bengtson Center for Aesthetics & Plastic Surgery, provide advanced plastic surgery and cosmetic treatment for patients from Grand Rapids, Birmingham, Detroit, and Kalamazoo, Michigan. We specialize in breast augmentation, breast implants, and tummy tuck surgery, as well as laser hair removal, Micro-Needling, BOTOX Cosmetic, JUVÉDERM, and other dermal fillers. Results may vary from person to person.