Plastic surgeons occasionally see women who request removal of their breast implants. They may want their implants removed for a variety of medical, surgical and aesthetic issues. It’s not unusual for these women to be concerned about the development of breast sag following removal.
In any particular case it’s virtually impossible to know if breast sag will develop without pictures or a physical examination. The presence of a nipple areola complex that sets below the infra-mammary fold, poor skin tone and a high ratio of implant volume to native breast tissue volume all suggest that breast sag is likely.
Breast sag following explantation is more likely in patients who have had multiple pregnancies, have breast fed, have had weight fluctuations and have had implants for longer periods of time. When implants are large and placed on top of the muscle the incidence of breast sag following implant removal is higher as well.
If you’re considering removal of your breast implants, consultation with a board certified plastic surgeon is appropriate. This surgeon should be able to determine the likelihood of breast sag following implant removal.