Many women choose to get breast implants so that they can give their breasts a more contoured and youthful appearance while also adding some size to their bust. However, some women decide to get their implants removed. This is called breast explant.
Breast explant procedures are usually done by women who wish to have old implants removed and don’t want to replace them with new ones. If you want to have your implants removed, you may be wondering what your breasts will look like after the procedure. We’re here to explain how it works and to assuage any worries you may have about your post-op appearance.
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How Does Breast Explant (Implant Removal) Work?
Breast explant is actually a very simple procedure, but it does take a skilled surgeon in order to do it correctly.
The surgeon makes an incision, likely in the same place where the initial incision was made when you got your implants put in. Depending on how the implant was placed, the surgeon may remove the implant from over or under the muscle.
Of course, not all breast explant procedures are the same. Some surgeons may perform a breast lift alongside the breast explant if the patient requests it.
What Will Your Breasts Look Like After Implant Removal?
It’s important to know that your breasts are not likely to look as they did before your augmentation was done. However, you don’t need to fret. If you’re afraid that your breasts will look like deflated balloons, don’t worry: your surgeon will do their best to make sure that this doesn’t happen.
There are many factors that impact the appearance of your breasts after getting your implants removed. These include:
- Time elapsed between implant and explant. The longer your implants have been in, the more likely it is that your skin has permanently stretched to accommodate the size of the implant.
- The size of the implant removed. The larger the implant, the most likely your skin has stretched.
- Weight gain or loss. If you have gained weight since getting your implants in, it’s likely you have more breast tissue and your breasts will be larger than they were before your augmentation. If you’ve lost weight, it’s likely that your breasts will end up smaller than before. This only really happens when weight loss or gain is significant.
- The older you are, the less elastic your skin will be.
- Hormonal changes due to pregnancy, breastfeeding, or menopause. These can all influence the size of your breasts.
- This goes without saying, but skin elasticity is mostly determined by genetic factors.
Other Cosmetic Options After Implant Removal
Breast lift surgery
Many patients choose to get breast lift surgery done in order to correct loose skin. This is a good option for women who still want to have perky, youthful-looking breasts but without as much of the size as they had before.
Smaller implants
A common reason why women have their implants removed is because they feel like their breasts are too large with them, especially if they’ve gained weight or have gone through pregnancy. Smaller implants can provide a bit of a lift without being too large.