Breast implant removal, often referred to as explant surgery, can be a deeply personal and empowering decision. Whether your desire for removing your implants are due to lifestyle changes, medical concerns, aging implants, or the need to return to a more natural appearance, many patients wonder what their breasts may look like after implants are extracted. Since implants stretch the skin and alter the breast’s internal support over time, undergoing explant surgery alone may leave the breasts looking deflated, sagging, or uneven. In this blog, acclaimed NYC plastic surgeon Neal Goldberg, MD, FACS explores how breast lift surgery can play a vital role in restoring shape, proportion, and confidence after breast implant removal.
What are Common Aesthetic Changes After Implant Use?
Once implants are removed, the breast tissue must adapt to reduced volume and a skin envelope that may no longer retract on its own. The degree of change usually depends on factors such as implant size, how long a patient’s implants are in place, skin elasticity, age, weight fluctuations, and whether pregnancies occurred after breast augmentation. For many patients, a breast lift, also known as mastopexy, can reshape the breasts by tightening excess skin, repositioning the nipple-areola complex, and creating a firmer, more youthful contour without replacing implants.
Loss of Upper Pole Fullness
One of the most noticeable changes after explant surgery is loss of upper pole fullness. Implants often provide roundness and projection at the top of the breasts. Once they are removed, the remaining tissue may settle lower on the chest. A breast lift does not add volume, but it redistributes the existing tissue to create a more natural and elevated shape. By reshaping and supporting the breast mound, a lift can significantly improve overall breast aesthetics even without implants.
Breast Sag
Another common concern following breast implant removal surgery is sagging, particularly when breast tissue falls below the inframammary fold. This occurs when the skin and internal ligaments have been stretched beyond their ability to fully recover. A breast lift can address sagging by removing excess skin and repositioning the breasts higher on the chest wall. The result is a breast that sits in a more youthful position, better aligning with a patient’s natural body proportions.
Stretched or Drooping Nipples
Nipple position is also a key element of the post-explant breast appearance. Over time, implants can cause nipples to point downward or sit lower than what’s ideal on the breast. A breast lift allows Dr. Goldberg to reposition the nipple-areola complex to a more centered, forward-facing location. In many cases, the size of stretched areolas can also be reduced, improving symmetry and restoring a balanced, natural look.
What Can I Expect From a Breast Lift After Explantation?
There are several breast lift techniques available after explant surgery, and the appropriate option depends on factors like:
- The amount of excess skin observed
- The severity of sagging
- The overall breast shape
Mild sagging may be corrected with a periareolar breast lift, while more significant drooping often requires a more comprehensive approach. Regardless of technique, the goal is to restore support, improve contour, and achieve a breast shape that feels more proportional and comfortable.
Some patients choose to undergo explant surgery and a breast lift at the same time, while others prefer a staged approach. Performing both procedures together can reduce overall recovery time and immediately address loose skin and sagging. However, in cases where tissue quality is uncertain or significant healing is expected after implant removal, a delayed breast lift may allow the breasts to settle before final reshaping. A personalized surgical plan is essential to achieving the best outcome.
Recovery and Healing Period
Recovery after explant surgery with a breast lift varies from patient to patient, but most individuals can expect swelling, temporary tightness, and a gradual improvement in shape over several weeks. As healing progresses, the breasts typically soften and settle into their final position. While scars are an unavoidable part of breast lift surgery, they are carefully placed and tend to fade significantly over time, especially with proper scar care and follow-up.
Ultimately, restoring your natural shape after explant surgery can help some patients feel more confident in their body again without the need for implants. For this reason, a breast lift can offer a powerful solution for addressing the changes left behind after implant removal while helping patients achieve a proportional and natural-looking result.
As a top-rated and board-certified Westchester plastic surgeon, Dr. Goldberg personalizes each patient’s surgical plan to help them reclaim natural yet rejuvenated breast contours after implant removal. If you’re ready to begin the process or you’d like more information on breast implant removal, please contact Dr. Goldberg at our NYC-area practice today.