Breast Implant Removal: Should I Undergo a Breast Lift or Fat Grafting?

October 31, 2023

Whether motivated by personal preferences, complications, or health concerns, the removal of breast implants requires careful consideration. However, it’s essential to recognize that the journey doesn’t end with implant removal alone. Corrective procedures play a vital role in restoring and rejuvenating the breasts, allowing individuals to regain their natural shape, volume, and symmetry. Minnesota Plastic Surgeon Dr. Joe Gryskiewicz has over 30 years of experience performing many types of breast procedures. He is dedicated to providing each of his patients with the best possible results.

What is Breast Implant Removal?

Breast implant removal is a surgical procedure that involves the extraction of previously inserted breast implants. There are various reasons why patients may choose to undergo this procedure, including personal preferences, complications, and health concerns.

Personal Preferences

• Over time, personal preferences and aesthetic ideals may change, leading individuals to decide that they no longer desire the appearance or feel of breast implants.
• Personal growth and self-acceptance can also play a role in the decision to remove breast implants and embrace one’s natural body.

Complications

• Implant-related complications such as capsular contracture (hardening of the scar tissue around the implant), implant rupture, or implant malposition can occur.
• Infection or the development of a breast implant-associated illness, although rare, may prompt the removal of implants.
• Implant rippling, asymmetry, or dissatisfaction with the cosmetic outcome can also contribute to the decision to remove breast implants.

Health Concerns

• Breast implant-associated anaplastic large cell lymphoma (BIA-ALCL) is a rare type of cancer that has been linked to textured breast implants, leading some patients to consider removal.
• Those with autoimmune disorders or a family history of breast cancer may opt for implant removal for their peace of mind.

Correcting Shape After Breast Implant Removal with a Breast Lift

A breast lift, also known as mastopexy, is designed to correct sagging or drooping breasts and restore a more youthful and lifted appearance. A breast lift involves removing excess skin, reshaping the breast tissue, and repositioning the nipple and areola to a higher position. 

Surgical Techniques and Incisions

• Anchor Incision (Inverted T Incision): This technique involves three incisions—a circular incision around the areola, a vertical incision from the bottom of the areola to the breast crease, and a horizontal incision along the breast crease. It allows for significant reshaping and lifting of the breast.
• Lollipop Incision: This technique involves a circular incision around the areola and a vertical incision from the bottom of the areola to the breast crease. It is suitable for moderate breast sagging and provides a more moderate lift compared to the anchor incision.
• Donut Incision (Periareolar Incision): This technique involves a circular incision around the areola. It is suitable for individuals with mild sagging and provides a more minimal lift.

Fat Grafting after Breast Implant Removal

Fat grafting is a natural alternative to breast implants for restoring volume to the breasts. This procedure involves removing fat from one area of the body through liposuction, and transferring it to the breasts to enhance their shape and fullness. Fat transfer breast augmentation utilizes the patient’s own fat cells, making it a natural and safe option for breast volume restoration. The fat cells are carefully harvested from areas with excess fat, such as the abdomen, thighs, or hips, and then processed to purify and prepare the fat for injection into the breasts.

Advantages of Fat Grafting

• Natural Results: Fat grafting allows for a more natural-looking and natural-feeling result compared to breast implants since it uses the patient’s own tissue.
• Improved Breast Contour: Besides adding volume, fat grafting can also enhance breast shape and contour, addressing concerns such as asymmetry or irregularities.
• Simultaneous Body Contouring: The liposuction step involved in fat grafting allows for simultaneous body sculpting in the donor areas, resulting in improved overall body proportions.
• Long-Lasting Results: Fat grafting can provide long-term volume enhancement, although some degree of fat reabsorption may occur over time.

Limitations and Potential Risks

• Adequate Fat Donor Site: To perform fat grafting successfully, there needs to be a sufficient amount of donor fat available. Individuals with low body fat may have limitations in terms of the volume that can be transferred.
• Fat Survival: Not all of the transferred fat cells will survive. Some of the transferred fat may be reabsorbed by the body, which can affect the final outcome. Multiple sessions may be required to achieve the desired volume.
• Additional Procedures: In some cases, a second fat grafting session may be necessary to achieve the desired volume or contour. This should be discussed during the consultation with your plastic surgeon.

Combined Approach: Breast Lift and Fat Grafting

A combined approach allows for a comprehensive restoration of the breasts, providing optimal results that are tailored to the individual’s desired aesthetic outcomes. By combining a breast lift with fat grafting, individuals can benefit from the advantages of both procedures.

• Shape: The breast lift component of the procedure corrects sagging or drooping, repositions the nipple-areola complex, and reshapes the breast tissue to achieve a more aesthetically pleasing contour.
• Volume: Fat grafting adds volume to the breasts, creating a fuller appearance and addressing any loss of volume that may have occurred after implant removal. The transferred fat can be strategically placed to achieve optimal volume and symmetry.

Breast Implant Removal FAQs

What is the recovery time for breast implant removal with subsequent lifting or fat grafting?

Recovery time varies depending on the individual and the specific procedure. Typically, for breast implant removal and a subsequent lift or fat grafting, most patients can expect to return to non-strenuous activities within a week or two. However, full recovery, including returning to exercise and heavy lifting, usually takes about 6 weeks.

Will these procedures leave any scars?

All surgical procedures potentially leave some degree of scarring. In the case of a breast lift, incisions are usually made around and possibly beneath the nipple, resulting in scars that are often well-hidden in the natural contours of the breast. Fat grafting, on the other hand, requires smaller incisions for the liposuction and injection process, often resulting in minimal, less noticeable scarring. Proper post-operative care can help to minimize scar visibility over time.

How long do the results of these procedures last?

The results of a breast lift are typically long-lasting, but they are not immune to the effects of aging and gravity. As for fat grafting, some of the transferred fat may be reabsorbed by the body over time, and additional treatments may be required to maintain the desired result. The fat that remains should provide a permanent increase in breast volume. It’s important to have realistic expectations and discuss this with your surgeon.

Further Reading about Breast Surgery with Dr. Joe

• Read Dr. Joe’s Breast Procedures Page
• Read Dr. Joe’s Breast Lift Surgery Page
• Read Dr. Joe’s Breast Augmentation with Lift Surgery page
• Read Dr. Joe’s blog about Why Dr. Joe Prefers Mentor Implants
• Read Dr. Joe’s blog about Silicone vs Saline Breast Implants

Medical References about Implant Removal

• Indications of implant removal: A study of 83 cases – NCBI
• Removal of orthopaedic implants: indications, outcome and economic implications – NCBI
• Breast Implant Removal: What to Expect, Surgery & Recovery – Cleveland Clinic
• Breast Implant Safety – WebMD