You don’t automatically need a breast lift after having your implants removed. Some women may be happy with how their natural tissue settles after breast implant removal, while others have loose skin, lower positioning, or shape changes that make a lift worth considering. Implant size, how long you’ve had them, and how much your skin has stretched can all influence the decision.
Maria Lombardo, DO, FACOS, performs breast procedures at Lombardo Cosmetic Surgery in Rancho Mirage, CA. She is a board-certified general surgeon and diplomate of the American Board of Cosmetic Surgery, and she completed fellowship training that included breast and body surgery.
What Happens to Your Breasts After Implant Removal?
Your breasts don’t necessarily return to exactly how they looked before augmentation. Implants add volume and weight, and over time they can stretch your skin and supporting tissues. Once that volume is gone, the breasts may look flatter, lower, or somewhat uneven. Larger implants and longer implant use might contribute to more stretching.
That doesn’t mean everyone will be unhappy without a lift. Your remaining volume, skin elasticity, position, implant history, age, and personal preferences all influence how your breasts look after removal.
When Might a Breast Lift Be Added?
A breast lift reshapes the remaining tissue and removes excess skin. It can also involve repositioning the nipple and areola when they sit lower than you’d like.
Dr. Lombardo commonly combines implant removal with a breast lift when stretched tissue could leave the breasts looking noticeably flatter or lower after the implants are taken out.
You might consider combining the procedures when you have:
- Noticeable loose or hanging skin
- Nipples that sit lower on the breast
- Significant stretching from larger implants
- Tissue that has dropped over time
The goal isn’t simply to remove the implants. It’s also to consider what breast shape you want afterward.
Can You Have Your Implants Removed Without a Lift?
Yes, you can undergo implant removal on its own. Dr. Lombardo may use the original breast augmentation incisions to remove the implants. Depending on the condition of the surrounding capsule, some scar tissue might also need to be removed.
Recovery is generally simpler when implants are removed without a lift because there is less skin removal and tissue repositioning. Adding a breast lift creates additional incisions and requires more healing. You’ll have specific restrictions on upper-body movement and exercise.
Discuss Implant Removal in Rancho Mirage, CA
Deciding whether to add a lift comes down to your breast tissue, skin quality, implant history, and how you’d like your breasts to look afterward. Dr. Maria Lombardo can evaluate those factors with you at Lombardo Cosmetic Surgery in Rancho Mirage, CA. To discuss implant removal and whether a lift makes sense for you, contact us or call 760-610-8990.
