MED0001382689- This website contains imagery which is only suitable for audiences 18+. All procedures contain risks. Surgical risks read more here. Non-surgical risks read more here
A/Prof Magnusson, featured blog image 4 , breast asymmetry, capsular contracture, breast implant removal

Breast Implant Removal With or Without a Breast Lift: How Do You Know Which Is Right for You?

Many women considering breast implant removal share the same concern. They want their implants out, but they are worried about what their breasts will look like afterwards. Will there be excess skin? Will the breasts appear deflated? Will a breast lift be necessary at the same time? These are entirely reasonable questions, and the answer is genuinely individual. This blog walks through the factors that help inform the decision between removal alone and combining removal with a breast lift (mastopexy), so you can have a more confident conversation at your consultation with A/Prof Magnusson on the Gold Coast or in Toowoomba.

What typically happens to breast appearance after implant removal?

Once the implants are out, the appearance of the breasts depends on several factors working together. The amount of natural breast tissue that remains, the degree to which the skin has stretched over time, and the elasticity of that skin all influence how the breasts settle.

Some women, particularly those who had smaller implants, those with good skin elasticity, or those whose implants were in place for a shorter period, find that their breasts settle into a shape they are comfortable with. Others may notice a degree of looseness, deflation, or drooping that they would prefer to address with additional surgery.

What this looks like cannot be predicted precisely, and the outcome cannot be guaranteed either way. A/Prof Magnusson begins to assess these factors at your consultation by examining the breast tissue, skin quality, and existing implant size to give you a realistic picture of what to expect.

Factors that influence whether a breast lift may be recommended

Several variables can affect whether removing implants alone is likely to give a result you are comfortable with, or whether combining removal with a breast lift may be more appropriate.

Implant size. Larger implants tend to stretch the skin and breast tissue more significantly over time. Women removing larger implants are more likely to have residual skin laxity once the implant is out.

Time the implants have been in place. The longer implants have been present, the more the surrounding tissue has had to adapt and stretch.

Skin elasticity. Skin quality varies between individuals and is affected by age, sun exposure, weight changes, and genetics. Younger women with good skin quality may have better natural tissue recoil after removal.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding. Both can significantly affect breast tissue volume and skin elasticity, and may increase the likelihood that a lift would be beneficial.

Weight fluctuations. Significant weight gain or loss affects breast tissue independently of the implants.

Natural breast tissue volume. Women with more of their own breast tissue tend to have a better foundation for the breasts to settle into a pleasing shape after removal alone.

What are the surgical options?

There are generally four pathways to consider, and A/Prof Magnusson will discuss which may suit your situation at your consultation in his Gold Coast or Toowoomba clinic.

Removal only. The implants (and, where appropriate, the surrounding capsule) are removed without any reshaping of the breast. This may suit women with good skin elasticity, those who had smaller implants, or those who have realistic expectations about post-removal appearance.

Removal with breast lift (mastopexy). Done at the same time as removal, a lift takes away excess skin, reshapes the breast, and lifts the nipple and areola back into a higher position. The trade-off is extra incisions. Depending on how much lift is needed, the scar pattern may be peri-areolar, vertical, or anchor/inverted-T. Many women with noticeable skin laxity end up choosing this route.

Staged approach: removal first, lift later. Not every woman wants to dive into both procedures right away. Plenty of patients have the implants out first, give themselves time to live with the result, and then look at a lift if they still feel they need one. It’s a fair option when you’re on the fence, or when the surgeon wants to see how your skin and tissue behave before committing to more surgery. The usual wait is somewhere from half a year to a year.

Removal with fat grafting. If you’d like to keep some breast volume after the implants come out, but don’t want new implants, fat transfer can be worth considering. Not everyone is a good candidate for it. Keep in mind that grafting adds volume, it doesn’t deal with loose skin.

What does recovery look like when a lift is combined?

Combining implant removal with a breast lift is a more involved procedure than removal alone. It takes longer in theatre, involves additional incisions and scarring, and typically requires a longer recovery period than a straightforward explant. That said, doing both in a single procedure avoids the need for two separate general anaesthetics and two separate recovery periods.

Most women find they need around one to two weeks away from work. For roughly six weeks after that, hold off on intense exercise and any real lifting. A compression garment, worn through this stretch, helps the breasts settle in nicely. A/Prof Magnusson will provide tailored recovery instructions and follow up at his Gold Coast clinic in Southport or his Toowoomba consulting rooms.

Managing expectations realistically

It’s a topic worth slowing down for. Breast tissue that has held implants for years simply won’t look the way it did pre-augmentation, lift or no lift. The goal of doing both together is a shape that suits your body and feels right to you, not a copy of the past.

The scars from a breast lift are permanent, although they are positioned to be as discreet as possible and tend to fade over time. Discussing realistic expectations openly is a core part of A/Prof Magnusson’s consultation process.

What to ask at your consultation

If you are weighing this decision, the following questions can help make the most of your time with A/Prof Magnusson:

  • Based on my anatomy, do you recommend removal alone or removal combined with a lift?
  • If you’d suggest a lift, what kind of incision pattern would suit me, and where will the scars actually be?
  • In my case, would you do them both at once, or split them up?
  • Is there anything about my anatomy or history that would change your advice?
  • What would my recovery look like for each option?

The answers will be specific to you and form the basis of the decision you make together.

Book a consultation in Gold Coast or Toowoomba

A/Prof Mark Magnusson performs breast implant removal and combined removal with breast lift surgery at accredited private hospitals on the Gold Coast and in Toowoomba. To discuss your options, please contact our team to arrange a consultation at our Gold Coast clinic in Southport (Suite 6, Level 5, 123 Nerang Street) or our Toowoomba rooms.

A/Prof Mark Magnusson, for when experience matters.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a breast lift when I have my implants removed?

Not necessarily. Whether a breast lift is recommended depends on factors such as implant size, how long the implants have been in place, your skin elasticity, and the volume of your natural breast tissue.

Some women find their skin recoils enough, and they have enough natural tissue, that the breasts settle into a shape they’re happy with after just removal. Others, especially after larger implants, long-term implant placement, or with looser skin, lean toward pairing removal with a lift to sort out shape and position together. A/Prof Magnusson talks through all of this during your consultation at the Gold Coast or Toowoomba rooms.

Can a breast lift be performed at the same time as implant removal?

Yes, it can. For suitable patients, a breast lift (mastopexy) and implant removal are done together under the same anaesthetic, in one procedure.

Doing them together means one recovery instead of two. The trade-off is more incisions and longer time on the table, which won’t be the right call for everyone. For some women, splitting the procedures (removal first, then a lift down the line) makes more sense, depending on the quality of the tissue and personal circumstances.

What will my breasts look like after implant removal without a breast lift?

Every woman heals differently. Things like the size of your implants, how long they’ve been in, your own breast tissue, and skin elasticity all play a part. There’s no formula that predicts the outcome exactly.

Some women find their breasts settle close to their pre-augmentation appearance, particularly with smaller implants and good skin quality. Others may notice a degree of skin laxity or drooping. A consultation with A/Prof Magnusson can help give a realistic idea of what to expect for your situation.

How long should I wait after implant removal before considering a breast lift?

If you’re staging the procedures, the usual advice is to give it 6 to 12 months after implant removal before looking at a lift. That gives the tissue time to settle.

This waiting period gives the breast skin and tissue time to retract as much as they will naturally. After this period, the need for a lift can be assessed more accurately than it could in the early weeks following removal.

Can fat grafting replace the need for a breast lift after implant removal?

Not always. For the right candidates, fat grafting can hold onto some volume after the implants come out. What it can’t do is tighten loose skin or lift breasts that are sitting low.

If the main concern after removal is loss of volume but the skin remains in good condition, fat grafting alone may be appropriate. Where there is significant drooping or excess skin, a lift may be considered alongside or in place of fat grafting. A/Prof Magnusson will discuss whether you are a suitable candidate at your Gold Coast or Toowoomba consultation.

Is a breast lift with implant removal covered by Medicare?

Medicare may contribute to a breast lift performed alongside implant removal in specific clinical circumstances. A breast lift performed for purely cosmetic reasons does not attract a Medicare rebate.

Eligibility depends on whether the procedure meets the relevant Medicare Benefits Schedule criteria, and item numbers are subject to change. A/Prof Magnusson will advise on Medicare and private health fund eligibility once your individual situation has been assessed at consultation.

Why choose A/Prof Magnusson for Breast Implant Removal in the Gold Coast and Toowoomba

Associate Professor Mark Magnusson is a fully qualified Specialist Plastic Surgeon (FRACS) who has been in specialist practice in Toowoomba since 2000 and on the Gold Coast since 2016. His practice has a strong focus on breast surgery, including breast implant removal, breast revision, and combined procedures with breast lift.

A/Prof Magnusson holds a number of credentials that are particularly relevant to patients considering implant removal and breast revision:

  • Fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons, FRACS (Plast)
  • Associate Professor at Griffith University
  • Past President of the Australasian Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (ASAPS)
  • Member of the TGA breast implant advisory working group
  • Editorial board member of the Aesthetic Surgery Journal
  • Published research contributor to the Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery journal on breast implant illness
  • More than 20 years of specialist practice experience

Surgery is performed at accredited private hospitals on the Gold Coast (Pindara Private Hospital in Benowa, Pacific Private Day Hospital in Southport, and Gold Coast Private Hospital in Southport) and at St Andrew’s Hospital in Toowoomba.

You can verify A/Prof Magnusson’s qualifications and registrations through the following independent profiles:

To arrange a consultation, please contact our team at our Gold Coast clinic (Suite 6, Level 5, 123 Nerang Street, Southport QLD 4215) or our Toowoomba rooms.

Further reading

Medical references

A/Prof Mark Magnusson, AHPRA number: MED0001382689, Medical Practitioner, Specialist Plastic Surgeon, Nominals: FRACS (Plast)