A breast explant with lift is a procedure that removes your current breast implants and tightens excess skin to reshape the breast mound for a lifted appearance. If you no longer wish to have implants due to functional or aesthetic concerns, we can remove them and rebalance your proportions with a procedure that requires minimal downtime. In 2023, specialists in the U.S. performed more than 600,800 cosmetic breast procedures. (1) This effective procedure has helped thousands of patients achieve their aesthetic goals and improve their self-esteem.

Dr. Michael J. Yoo is a board-certified plastic surgeon who has helped thousands of patients restore their body confidence and enhance their natural beauty with customizable breast and body procedures.

Contact our office online or call (949) 861-3340 to schedule a consultation at our Newport Beach or Beverly Hills locations.

About a Breast Explant With Lift

An explant with lift removes excess skin and takes out your current breast implants to reshape the breast mounds. Droopy skin is common after aging, weight loss, and pregnancy, and these effects can occur even with breast implants. A breast explant with lift can improve the way your bras fit and rebalance your proportions. Many women find that their self-esteem improves and that they feel more comfortable without implants. Although some women undergo the procedure for aesthetic reasons, breast implant removal can address several functional concerns as well:

  • Capsular contracture: When scar tissue forms around an implant and hardens, you may experience discomfort as well as aesthetic changes. During a breast implant removal procedure, we can excise the scar tissue as well as the implant.
  • Breast implant illness: Some women experience brain fog, fatigue, and nausea after receiving breast implants. If your body is rejecting an implant, removing it could improve your quality of life.
  • Implant displacement: In some cases, a breast implant can shift in the breast pocket, resulting in asymmetry. We can address this issue by removing the implant and placing a new one, or we can remove both implants and reshape the breast mound.
  • Ruptured implants: If your implant ruptures or tears, we can remove the implant and any silicone that leaks into the breast tissue.

During the procedure, Dr. Yoo can also reposition the areola for a balanced, natural-looking appearance. He makes discreet incisions along the natural curves of your breasts to tighten the skin, remove the implants, and excise droopy skin for natural-looking results. Afterward, you can enjoy a smoother, more lifted, and youthful-looking appearance.

Implant Exchange

Implant exchange is a procedure that replaces your current breast implants with new ones. If your implant ruptures or shifts, or if your cosmetic preferences change, we can place new implants to help you improve your figure for your desired look. It is also recommended to replace implants after about 10-15 years. We can place implants that are a larger or smaller size or a different shape to achieve your desired look. There are several different types of implants we can place depending on your aesthetic preferences:

  • Saline: Saltwater-filled implants are typically inflated after we place them into the breast pocket with smaller incisions.
  • Silicone: Silicone gel mimics the natural movement of breast tissue. We insert these implants pre-filled. They are ideal for thinner patients as they are less likely to cause visible rippling.
  • Gummy Bear: With a highly cohesive silicone gel-filled implant, we can improve your breast volume and projection.

Depending on your underlying anatomy and aesthetic goals, we can place the implant behind or in front of the chest muscle. (2) During your consultation, Dr. Yoo will perform a physical exam to determine the best treatment plan for your needs.

Benefits

There are several benefits of breast explant procedures, including:

  • Minimally invasive treatment: We make thin incisions along the natural curves of your skin for a natural appearance.
  • Customization: We can adjust the procedure based on your unique body proportions and combine it with a breast lift.
  • Balanced proportions: A breast explant lift can also rebalance your curves for a more youthful-looking appearance.
  • Less skin irritation: Reducing excess, droopy skin can reduce uncomfortable rashes along the lower breast fold (inframammary crease).

Candidates

Suitable candidates for breast explant procedures would like to improve the shape of their breasts, address droopy skin, and remove their implants. If you are in good overall health, you are likely a good candidate for the procedure. It is also important that you take good care of your body and have realistic expectations about what you can achieve with the procedure. If you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or planning to become pregnant, we recommend that you wait to undergo breast enhancement procedures because these can affect your results.

Consultation

During your consultation, we will ask about your aesthetic goals, medications, and medical history to create a personalized treatment plan for your needs. You will need to come prepared to ask questions, and you can bring photographs if you have them to help us achieve your desired look. We can discuss the best treatment plan, including incision type, during your procedure. If you want to address additional aesthetic concerns, we can also recommend other body contouring treatments.

Preparation

You must take time off work to care for your body and attend follow-up appointments. You will also need to stop drinking alcohol for a few weeks before and after your procedure and avoid nicotine use (if applicable) for the best results. Dr. Yoo can provide specific instructions based on your medical history and treatment plan.

We recommend that you run errands ahead of time and create a comfortable place in your home to recover. You must also arrange for a trusted adult to drive you home after the procedure.

Procedure

During an explant with lift procedure, we will cleanse your skin and place you under anesthesia. Dr. Yoo will make thin incisions along the natural curves of your breasts to remove the implants. He will remove the implants from the breasts with a discreet incision along the natural curves of your breasts. Next, he will remove the excess skin and tighten muscles to lift the breasts. If needed, he may reposition the areolas for a natural-looking appearance. He will close the incision with sutures, and our team will monitor you in our recovery room.

Recovery

You can return home immediately after your procedure, but you must rest to help your body heal. You will need to take a few weeks off work to allow your body to recover fully, and Dr. Yoo will let you know when you can return. While you are recovering from breast explant with lift surgery, you will need to follow postoperative instructions.

You will likely experience minor swelling or bruising while your skin heals after the procedure.

We recommend light walks to improve your blood flow. You will also need to avoid intense exercise until you are fully healed. Dr. Yoo will let you know when you can return to physical exercise and when to attend follow-up appointments.

Results

After your procedure, you can enjoy natural-looking results. After reshaping the breasts and removing the implants, you can enjoy a smaller, more proportionate breast mound. Since Dr. Yoo makes thin, discreet incisions along your body’s natural curves, the incisions typically fade into your skin over time.

The Cost of a Breast Explant with Lift in Newport Beach

The cost of breast explant with lift will depend on your personalized treatment plan. We can provide an all-inclusive quote and perform more than one treatment during a single appointment to help you meet your goals with minimal downtime.

Contact our office online or call (949) 861-3340 to schedule a consultation at our Newport Beach or Beverly Hills locations.

FAQ

Is a breast explant with a lift procedure painful?

An anesthesiologist will administer anesthesia for your comfort during the procedure. Some swelling and discomfort after the procedure is normal. Your surgeon will provide you with post-operative instructions that will help you minimize this discomfort.

Can I have a breast explant with lift if I am planning to become pregnant?

If you plan on having children, we usually recommend that you wait to receive an explant with a lift because pregnancy can affect your results. However, if you are experiencing discomfort from capsular contracture or your implant shifts out of position, we can discuss the best options during your consultation.

Will I have droopy skin after my breast explant with lift?

We remove droopy skin as part of the lift procedure to reshape the breast mounds. Afterward, you can enjoy smoother, lifted, and youthful-looking breasts.

References

  1. American Society of Plastic Surgeons ® Endorsed Partner. https://www.plasticsurgery.org/documents/news/statistics/2023/plastic-surgery-statistics-report-2023.pdf
  2. Pelc Z, Skórzewska M, Kurylcio A, et al. Current Challenges in Breast Implantation. Medicina. 2021;57(11):1214. doi:https://doi.org/10.3390/medicina57111214
  3. Bartow MJ, Raggio BS. Liposuction. PubMed. Published 2022. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK563135/
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