Breast Implant Removal with Breast Lift and Fat Transfer, Raleigh, NC*

One of the most common reasons for women to decide to remove their breast implants is because of weight gain and their once attractive breasts now just look too large. Removal without replacement in many cases would benefit from a breast lift during the explantation as the skin has typically stretched out with time with the implants in place. This 56-year-old woman had gained significant weight after she had had saline breast implants placed and now just felt her breasts were too large. She wanted much smaller breasts and considered downsizing of the implants but ultimately was hopeful to have the implants removed without replacement. She underwent breast implant removal with mastopexy. She had some liposuction of her abdomen and flanks and some of the liposuctioned and fat was processed and transferred to the breasts. Although only 100 cc per breast was placed , it made a significant improvement in the volume and shape. Fat transfer cannot always be safely performed during explantation especially if a significant amount of capsulectomy is necessary. Many women have enough tissue after weight gain to allow a mastopexy without transfer. This patient was very pleased with her now much smaller breasts and despite a relatively small amount of liposuction, she was very happy with her much slimmer appearance which was the benefit of the Implant removal as well as the fat reduction.