Explant and Lift Becoming More Common , North Carolina*

Removal of breast implants without replacement has become much more common in the last 5 -10 years or so. Although there are many reasons that lead women to choose this decision; a very common one is that they feel that their breasts are too large. Many decide that they no longer want implants. Unfortunately with aging, breast drooping occurs and removal of the implants will most certainly leave the breast quite droopy or ptotic. Explantation with breast lift is becoming more popular. Dr. Lyle is a specialist in this procedure. This 56-year-old woman had breast implants placed well over 10 years ago by another physician. She felt they made her breasts look too big especially as she had gained weight with aging. She could not get the information about her original implants but she was concerned that the removal alone would leave her quite droopy and lacking fullness. She underwent breast implant removal and breast lifting with some liposuction of her abdomen and flanks and fat transfer to the breasts. The fat transfer is primarily to help augment the mastopexy and must be done very carefully and judiciously to avoid future problems with mammograms.. She was much happier with her smaller lifted-appearing breasts and did not miss her breast implants at all. She was found to have a 350 cc intact Smooth silicone gel implant on the right side and 375 cc gel implant on the left side. She had 100 cc of fat transferred to the left side and 60 cc to the right side.