Complete sub-shell of d-electrons in ions

[905934067]

When the metallic p-block elements in Period 4 and later periods lose their s- and p-electrons, they leave a noble-gas core surrounded by an additional, complete sub-shell of d-electrons. Why is the sub-shell of d-electrons kept while just the s- and p- electrons are lost?

[Lauren_Hayashi_1E]

Technically the d shell comes before the s- and p- shells. It is also stable. It is weirdly put when making electron configurations, but think of it in numerical order as that being what the goal is. For example, if an element in the d-block is losing electrons, think to minus s- first, then look at d. Or, look at which would be more stable (all 5 filled in d, 2 filled in s, etc)