Florence Mussat, M.D.
680 N Lake Shore Dr. #1030 Chicago, IL 60611 (312) 751-9000

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Category: Breast Implant Removal

What Are My Options for Fixing My Breasts After Implant Removal?

Are you wondering what options are available to restore your breasts to their desired appearance after breast implant removal? Rest assured, you’re not alone on this journey, and there are practical solutions to address your concerns. At Dr. Florence Mussat’s practice in Chicago, IL, we understand the significance of regaining confidence in your body, and we’re here to guide you through the process. We’ll explore the various options for fixing your breasts after implant removal with you, including surgical and non-surgical breast restoration approaches. Whether you’re considering a breast lift, fat grafting, or breast reduction, Dr. Mussat will help you make an informed decision to achieve your desired outcome. 

After implant removal, Dr. Mussat can enhance the appearance of the breasts with a combination of surgical and non-surgical treatments tailored to your needs and goals. Several breast restoration options are available, from addressing changes in breast shape and volume to enhancing overall appearance.

What Is Breast Implant Removal?

Breast implant removal, also known as explantation, is a surgical procedure to remove breast implants either for medical reasons or personal preference. This procedure may be performed to address complications, such as implant rupture, capsular contracture, or dissatisfaction with the appearance of the breasts.

What Are the Common Breast Appearance Concerns After Implant Removal?

Common concerns after implant removal include changes in breast shape, volume loss, sagging or drooping of the breasts, asymmetry, visible scarring, and breast tissue recovery. These changes may occur due to skin elasticity, implant size, duration of implantation, and individual anatomy.

What Surgery Should I Have After Breast Implant Removal?

The choice of surgery after breast implant removal depends on your aesthetic goals and the condition of your breasts. Some standard options include:

Breast Lift After Implant Removal

Breast lift surgery is designed to reshape and elevate the breasts by eliminating excess skin and tightening the surrounding tissue. This procedure helps restore a more youthful and lifted appearance to the breasts after implant removal.

Fat Grafting to the Breast After Implant Removal

Fat grafting, or autologous fat transfer, involves harvesting fat from one body area (such as the abdomen or thighs) via liposuction and grafting it into the breasts to enhance volume and improve contour. Fat grafting post-implant removal is particularly beneficial for restoring natural-looking breast volume after implant removal.

Breast Reduction After Implant Removal

A breast reduction is recommended for women who experience discomfort or dissatisfaction with the size of their breasts after implant removal. This procedure involves eliminating excess breast tissue and reshaping the breasts to achieve a more proportionate appearance.

What Should You Expect During Recovery After Breast Correction Surgery?

Recovery after breast correction surgery varies depending on the type of procedure performed. Patients can expect a degree of bruising, swelling, and discomfort in the days following surgery. Following your surgeon’s post-operative instructions carefully and attending follow-up appointments for optimal healing and results is essential.

How Do I Choose the Right Surgeon for Post-Implant Breast Correction?

Choosing the right plastic surgeon for post-implant breast reconstruction is crucial for achieving safe and satisfactory outcomes. When selecting your surgeon, consider their experience, qualifications, board certification, before and after photos of previous patients, and testimonials.

Dr. Mussat’s philosophy is simple: to deliver the optimal procedure for every one of her patients with personal follow-up care.

She believes beauty is in a woman’s harmony, inside and out. Each patient is unique. Each procedure must be adapted to her anatomy, lifestyle, and aesthetic needs.

She meets with her patients and answers their questions until she fully understands the person and their aesthetic goals. Annual follow-ups are complimentary. She strives to deliver the latest advances in plastic surgery.

As a woman, she understands the need to keep femininity harmonious with graceful aging. Her practice focuses on cosmetic surgery of the face, breast, and body contouring.

Learn More

Navigating the journey of breast implant removal and post-implant correction can feel overwhelming, but you don’t have to go through it alone. Dr. Mussat is dedicated to providing compassionate care and personalized solutions to help you achieve your aesthetic goals. Whether you’re considering a breast lift, fat grafting, or other corrective procedures, we’re here to support you every step of the way.

Contact us today to schedule a consultation and take the first step toward restoring your confidence and reclaiming your body.

What Are My Options for Fixing My Breasts After Implant Removal?

Are you wondering what options are available to restore your breasts to their desired appearance after breast implant removal? Rest assured, you’re not alone on this journey, and there are practical solutions to address your concerns. At Dr. Florence Mussat’s practice in Chicago, IL, we understand the significance of regaining confidence in your body, and we’re here to guide you through the process. We’ll explore the various options for fixing your breasts after implant removal with you, including surgical and non-surgical breast restoration approaches. Whether you’re considering a breast lift, fat grafting, or breast reduction, Dr. Mussat will help you make an informed decision to achieve your desired outcome. 

After implant removal, Dr. Mussat can enhance the appearance of the breasts with a combination of surgical and non-surgical treatments tailored to your needs and goals. Several breast restoration options are available, from addressing changes in breast shape and volume to enhancing overall appearance.

What Is Breast Implant Removal?

Breast implant removal, also known as explantation, is a surgical procedure to remove breast implants either for medical reasons or personal preference. This procedure may be performed to address complications, such as implant rupture, capsular contracture, or dissatisfaction with the appearance of the breasts.

What Are the Common Breast Appearance Concerns After Implant Removal?

Common concerns after implant removal include changes in breast shape, volume loss, sagging or drooping of the breasts, asymmetry, visible scarring, and breast tissue recovery. These changes may occur due to skin elasticity, implant size, duration of implantation, and individual anatomy.

What Surgery Should I Have After Breast Implant Removal?

The choice of surgery after breast implant removal depends on your aesthetic goals and the condition of your breasts. Some standard options include:

Breast Lift After Implant Removal

Breast lift surgery is designed to reshape and elevate the breasts by eliminating excess skin and tightening the surrounding tissue. This procedure helps restore a more youthful and lifted appearance to the breasts after implant removal.

Fat Grafting to the Breast After Implant Removal

Fat grafting, or autologous fat transfer, involves harvesting fat from one body area (such as the abdomen or thighs) via liposuction and grafting it into the breasts to enhance volume and improve contour. Fat grafting post-implant removal is particularly beneficial for restoring natural-looking breast volume after implant removal.

Breast Reduction After Implant Removal

A breast reduction is recommended for women who experience discomfort or dissatisfaction with the size of their breasts after implant removal. This procedure involves eliminating excess breast tissue and reshaping the breasts to achieve a more proportionate appearance.

What Should You Expect During Recovery After Breast Correction Surgery?

Recovery after breast correction surgery varies depending on the type of procedure performed. Patients can expect a degree of bruising, swelling, and discomfort in the days following surgery. Following your surgeon’s post-operative instructions carefully and attending follow-up appointments for optimal healing and results is essential.

How Do I Choose the Right Surgeon for Post-Implant Breast Correction?

Choosing the right plastic surgeon for post-implant breast reconstruction is crucial for achieving safe and satisfactory outcomes. When selecting your surgeon, consider their experience, qualifications, board certification, before and after photos of previous patients, and testimonials.

Dr. Mussat’s philosophy is simple: to deliver the optimal procedure for every one of her patients with personal follow-up care.

She believes beauty is in a woman’s harmony, inside and out. Each patient is unique. Each procedure must be adapted to her anatomy, lifestyle, and aesthetic needs.

She meets with her patients and answers their questions until she fully understands the person and their aesthetic goals. Annual follow-ups are complimentary. She strives to deliver the latest advances in plastic surgery.

As a woman, she understands the need to keep femininity harmonious with graceful aging. Her practice focuses on cosmetic surgery of the face, breast, and body contouring.

Learn More

Navigating the journey of breast implant removal and post-implant correction can feel overwhelming, but you don’t have to go through it alone. Dr. Mussat is dedicated to providing compassionate care and personalized solutions to help you achieve your aesthetic goals. Whether you’re considering a breast lift, fat grafting, or other corrective procedures, we’re here to support you every step of the way. Contact us today to schedule a consultation and take the first step toward restoring your confidence and reclaiming your body.

Breast Implant Removal With Lift vs. Implant Exchange

Breast revision surgery involves multiple options and surgical techniques, which may confuse some patients trying to find the correct procedure to adjust to lifestyle changes or resolve an issue with existing implants. As a breast surgery expert and board-certified plastic and reconstructive surgeon, Dr. Florence Mussat is familiar with the complex nuances of cosmetic breast surgery. Perhaps more importantly, as a woman, she understands the importance of choosing the right operation.

Two of the most common breast revision surgeries are implant removal with a breast lift and a 1:1 implant exchange. Read on to learn which is better for your aesthetic goals and lifestyle needs.

What Is Implant Removal With Lift, and How Is It Different From Implant Exchange?

Implant removal, or explant surgery, aims to prioritize patient safety. Dr. Mussat can restore your breasts’ original shape by adding a lift to the procedure. For medical and cosmetic assurances, completely removing the implants is critical, especially for women at high risk of experiencing health problems associated with their implants.

Why Add a Lift?

If you’ve had breast implants for years, the overlying breast tissue may have weakened, causing your breasts to flatten or droop. Sagging breasts, medically known as ptosis, may result from pregnancy, breastfeeding, weight fluctuations, or the natural aging process.

Removing your implants will diminish your breasts’ size and fullness, leading to significant sagging and skin laxity. A lift may be necessary to restore aesthetics, either at the same time as breast implant removal or in another surgery.

What Is Implant Exchange?

As its name indicates, a breast implant exchange involves removing one set of implants and replacing them with another. Dr. Mussat uses breast revision surgery to help women suffering from complications of a previous augmentation or because they’re unhappy with the size of their existing implants and would like to replace them with smaller or larger ones.

Whatever the reason, Dr. Mussat has extensive experience in primary and secondary breast revision surgeries and can address your concerns following a breast augmentation.

What Happens During an Implant Removal With Lift?

When performing a capsulectomy, Dr. Mussat must separate the capsule from the surrounding tissues while the breast implant is still inside. This meticulous and delicate process allows her to remove the entire unit through a vertical incision from the lower breast crease to the areola. This procedure ensures no part of the implant or fluid within the capsule comes in contact with your body. Plus, Dr. Mussat’s method preserves the glandular tissue in your breasts. No drains are necessary.

During a breast lift, Dr. Mussat will use the same incisions to elevate your breasts and achieve a well-contoured and appealing look. Her procedure uses your tissue to create an internal bra to support your breasts. Next, she removes excess breast skin, tightening and reshaping what remains. Finally, she will reposition the nipples to be higher on your breasts. If necessary, Dr. Mussat will trim down your areolas to make them smaller and more proportional to your breasts.

Breast Implant Removal With Lift Recovery

For the first few days after your capsulectomy explantation and breast lift, Dr. Mussat recommends you get plenty of sleep and relaxation to give your body maximum energy for your body to heal.

Dr. Mussat may place small tubes in the incisions. These are for draining blood and excess fluid to help prevent hematomas and seromas. She will remove these tubes within a few days. Because the sutures are dissolvable, you won’t need them removed during your follow-up visit.

For two weeks, avoid high-intensity activities, including bending and heavy lifting. You don’t want any strain on your surgical sites, sutures, and incisions. Eating nutritious foods and drinking plenty of water are crucial for a successful recovery.  

Sleep on your side or your back to take undue pressure off your breasts and increase your recovery rate. Dr. Mussat will give you a surgical support bra to wear 24/7 for at least four days.  She may ask you to apply silicone gel or tape to your incisions to help in the healing process and reduce your downtime.

During the initial stages of your recovery, avoid exposing your breasts to sunlight. If you need to go outside, liberally apply sunscreen liberally to the area. Please do not go on long trips for the first few weeks after the procedure. You will need to get up and move every few hours. Staying immobile for long periods increases the chance of developing deep vein thrombosis.

What Does an Implant Exchange Entail?

Revision breast surgery is much like your original breast augmentation procedure. It’s an outpatient surgery requiring general anesthesia.

If medically appropriate, Dr. Mussat will use the original incision sites for the revision procedure. Next, she will remove your implants – according to your surgical plan, she will substitute new ones or proceed without replacements. Next, she’ll re-close the implant pocket using internal sutures before closing the incisions with external sutures. Dr. Mussat then dresses the breasts with soft bandages and a compression bra over the top. This surgical bra minimizes swelling and supports the tissues during the healing process.

As with the primary procedure, some of the aesthetic effects of revision breast surgery are noticeable immediately following the operation. However, the full results become apparent after a few months, when the new implants settle into their natural position, swelling subsides, and your body heals completely.

Breast Implant Exchange Recovery

Healing from a breast implant exchange is similar to recovering from the initial breast augmentation. However, the side effects might be more pronounced, as secondary surgical procedures are typically more complex.

You may experience moderate to significant discomfort during the first four or five days following the revision procedure. The treated area might be bruised, tender, swollen, or numb. You can relieve these symptoms by applying cold packs and taking oral pain meds as directed by Dr. Mussat. In addition, you could experience changes in nipple sensitivity, including a tingling sensation, temporary or permanent numbness.

If you’ve undergone revision breast surgery, expect to take at least a week away from your work or daily routine. During this downtime, you should rest often and avoid direct breast stimulation and any rigorous activity, like heavy lifting. Dr. Mussat will advise when you can resume your usual activities, including your exercise routine.

What Are the Benefits of Implant Removal With Lift vs. Implant Exchange?

If you have your implants removed without replacement and get a breast lift, you will enjoy multiple positive outcomes. Here are some lifestyle benefits you can expect from implant removal with a lift:

  • Mammograms are clearer.
  • You will not have the discomfort associated with capsular contracture.
  • You’ll enjoy less neck, back, and shoulder pain.
  • Removing ruptured implants can improve your health outcomes.
  • Your breasts will have a more uplifted contour, with youthful-looking nipples.
  • You can exercise more comfortably.

Conversely, if you’ve decided to exchange your implants for newer, more advanced devices, here are the potential advantages of that choice:

  • A change in breast size – from smaller to larger, and vice versa
  • A more age-appropriate breast appearance
  • Fuller breasts for better0fitting clothing
  • Resolve the effects weight fluctuation or pregnancy has had on your breasts

Which Option Is Right for You? Factors to Consider Before Making a Decision

When your current implants cause issues with your health, appearance, or lifestyle, you must consider several factors to determine which procedure will serve you better.

Though breast augmentation remains one of the most popular cosmetic surgeries among women, lifts have become increasingly sought-after, especially among women who have had larger breasts due to implants.

Questions to ask yourself before deciding your breast surgery consultation include:

  • Will I be happy with smaller breasts after removing the implants?
  • Do my implants now seem excessive as I move into a different stage in my life?
  • Do I value comfort over aesthetics or vice versa?
  • Do my current implants prevent me from comfortably exercising?

Typically, women who choose a breast implant exchange enjoy the firmness and volume breast implants provide. They may be happy with their current size or wish to go larger, but don’t want to return to their natural breast size.

Women who decide to get implant removal with a lift no longer enjoy their implants for the reasons we’ve already touched on – discomfort when exercising, valuing comfort over aesthetics, or wanting their breasts to be perkier and sit higher on their chests.

Start Your Breast Transformation Here

Whether you need more information about breast surgery or already know what you want, call (312) 751-9000 or contact us online to improve your lifestyle and appearance with Dr. Mussat’s advanced techniques.

How To Know If You Need Breast Implant Removal?

When you undergo breast implant surgery, you may hear a thing or two about breast explantation and why you may need it in the future. But when you are basking in the excitement of your ideal figure, it is easy to let those details slip from your mind.

With that said, it is crucial to keep an eye out for signs that suggest you need a breast explant in Chicago, Illinois. To understand when and why do you need breast explant procedure, here is a lowdown on the procedure and its targeted effects on your wellbeing.

What Is a Capsule?

After you go through successful breast augmentation and receive implants, your body forms scar tissue around the implant device. This essentially creates a capsule-like structure where the scar tissue serves as the outer layer of the capsule, with the implant encased inside of it.

A breast explant procedure simply refers to the removal of the whole scar tissue capsule with the implant inside. But it is important to remember that this type of breast explant is just one of many approaches used to remove breast implants.

However, removal of breast implants can be highly necessary in some cases.

Why Is Breast Implant Removal Necessary?

Removal of your breast implants can be necessary due to a variety of reasons. These include but are not limited to the following:

Excessive hardening of the scar tissue. When the scar tissue around your breast implant hardens to a discomforting degree, complete removal of the capsule and implant may be necessary.

Implant rupture. If you have silicone implants and one of them ruptures, a capsulectomy becomes essential in order to prevent further complications and take care of your health.

Breast Implant Illness (BII). In case you develop symptoms for the condition known as BII, it is often suggested to get your implant removed completely through breast explantation.

What Are the Signs for Needing A Breast Explant procedure?

Some of the most common symptoms that may indicate the need for a breast explant procedure include but are not limited to:

  • Discomfort in the affected breast.
  • Pressure on the affected breast.
  • Distortion in breast shape.
  • Pain around the implant site.
  • Chronic fatigue.
  • Chronic headache.
  • Breathing problems.
  • Sleeping problems.
  • Joint and muscle pain.

After understanding what a breast implant removal is and its associated symptoms, you can reach out to a qualified surgeon who specializes in this procedure. This way, you can learn if a breast implant removal is necessary for you. Otherwise, you can explore other breast implant removal procedures that you can benefit from in your case.

Contact A Board-certified Plastic Surgeon In Chicago, Il

With hands-on experience regularly performing breast implant removal procedures in Chicago, Illinois, Dr. Florence Mussat is known for her skill and expertise with this intricate surgery. With minimal risks but remarkable results, Dr. Mussat’s expertise can help you take care of your health while maintaining the appearance of your breasts.

To discuss the suitability of breast implant removal in your case, schedule a private consultation with Dr. Mussat. Contact our office by calling (312) 751-9000 today, and we will be happy to guide you through a safe yet aesthetically sound breast implant removal procedure.

Where Will Your Breast Implants Be Placed?

When a woman undergoes breast augmentation surgery, probably the last thing on her mind is that a second surgery, called breast revision surgery, may be needed in the future.

Breast implants are not intended to last a lifetime. Over time, impants can be subject to rupture, rippling, deflation, asymmetry, sagging, or capsular contracture caused by the formation of a hard and dense tissue capsule.

Breast revision surgery is also frequently performed when a woman is not happy with some aspect of how her breasts look or feel. She may want to replace her current breast implants with a different size or style or to simply have her natural breasts back.

Understanding Your Options for Breast Implants

The decision about where you would like your breast implants to be placed during your revision breast surgery will be made in consultation with your plastic surgeon, board-certified plastic surgeon, Dr. Florence Mussat, in Chicago, IL. She would be happy to help you make this decision and to plan for the procedure itself.

Influencing Factors on Breast Implant Placement

There are several factors to keep in mind when deciding on the position of your breast implants:

  • the desired shape and size of your breasts and thus the implants
  • your body size
  • expected recovery time and post-operative discomfort and pain
  • your lifestyle
  • your goals and expectations

Where Can Breast Implants Be Placed?

Breasts implants can be placed:

  • over the muscle, but under the breast tissue
  • under the muscle

Since there are advantages and disadvantages to each placement, Dr. Mussat will help you decide which placement method is best for you. There are several factors which will help determine the optimal implant placement:

  • Your body type
  • Your current health
  • The actual size of the implants
  • Saline vs. silicone implants
  • Your individual goals and desires

All these factors help you understand the pros and cons of the different breast implant placement options.

Subglandular Placement

Also known as “over-the-muscle” placement, the subglandular placement technique positions the implant between the chest muscle and the existing breast tissue. With this positioning, the implant lies behind the glands of the breasts, thus providing the patient the ability to breast-feed in the future.

Advantages: Patients can expect less movement of the implants during physical activity and less discomfort immediately following surgery.

Disadvantages: The appearance of the breasts may seem more artificial, and during mammograms, the readings may be less accurate.

Submuscular Placement

The other breast implant placement option is known as submuscular or under-the-muscle placement. The technique includes partially placement of the implant under the pectoralis major chest muscle in a “dual plane” placement.

Advantages: Patients experience more accurate mammograms. In addition, submuscular placement tends to produce a more natural result.

Disadvantages: Some patients experience slightly more discomfort after surgery, with a longer postsurgical recovery.

Women with very large or strong chest muscles will be best suited for the over-the-muscle positioning of their implants. The reason is that, with larger chest muscles, there will be a tendency for distortion of the breasts as the chest muscles are flexed. In this case, subglandular placement may be advised.

Keeping in mind all the advantages and disadvantages of the possible placement of your implants, you are well equipped to meet with Dr. Mussat to discuss what is best for your particular situation.

Why Choose Dr. Florence Mussat for Your Breast Revision?

Dr. Florence Mussat is a Board-Certified Plastic and Reconstructive surgeon in Downtown Chicago and has a passion for Cosmetic and Reconstructive Surgery.

With her help, you can soon be on your way to achieving the bustline you’ve always wanted. Schedule a personal consultation or by calling (312) 751-9000 today!