Before and after bilateral explantation, total capsulectomy and mastopexy in a 33 year old woman. She had previously placed implants in the submuscular position. They were contacted and sitting higher than the natural position of her breasts, creating the “waterfall deformity” or “Snoopy deformity” and a flat, wide, aesthetically displeasing breast.
She also had a past breast lift attempt which had left her areolas enlarged and still sitting low on her breast. She was “done with implants” and wanted them removed. Her capsular tissue was very thick and contributing to her discomfort and deformity.
Often, removal of the implant alone without capsulectomy is recommended, but in this case, a total capsulectomy was warranted. This requires several hours in the operating room, drains and a longer recovery than simple explantation in the office under local anesthesia – which is our usual approach.
This patient’s surgery was combined with a tummy tuck as a full Mommy Makeover, with an overnight’s stay in the hospital. Her old implants and the surrounding capsule scar tissue were removed, and her remaining breast tissue was rearranged to create a perky breast shape. A breast lift always includes a reduction of the areola size and lifting the nipples to a more aesthetically pleasing location on the breast.
Liposuction of the axillary rolls (armpit fat and back fat/bra roll area) completed her breast procedure. Follow up photos are shown just 8 weeks after surgery. She has started scar therapy and is thrilled with her results!
*All photos are actual patient photographs and are for illustrative purposes only. Individual results may vary.
