Breast Implant Removal

What is breast implant removal?

Breast implant removal, or explantation, is a procedure to remove breast implants without necessarily replacing them. Patients may choose implant removal for many different reasons, including changes in aesthetic preferences, concerns about their implants, complications, or simply a desire for a more natural breast appearance.

Breast implant removal involves surgically removing existing breast implants. Depending on your individual circumstances, the surrounding scar tissue, or capsule, may also need to be addressed. Removing an implant is often straightforward, but achieving the best breast shape afterward requires careful consideration of the breast tissue, skin quality, implant size, and how the breasts have changed over time. In some patients, breast lift, fat grafting, or other procedures may be recommended along with implant removal.

Address implant rupture
Treat capsular contracture
Return to your natural appearance

Who Is a Good Candidate?

You may be a good candidate for breast implant removal if you:

No longer want breast implants
Prefer a more natural breast appearance
Have concerns about the size, shape, or position of your implants
Have experienced changes in your breasts over time
Have developed capsular contracture or another implant-related concern
Have an implant rupture or other implant complication
Have experienced changes following pregnancy, breastfeeding, or significant weight loss
Are in good overall health
Have realistic expectations about how your breasts may look after implant removal

During your consultation, your surgeon will evaluate your breast tissue and skin and discuss whether implant removal alone or a combination of procedures is most appropriate for you.

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What to Expect

Consultation Procedure Recovery

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During your private consultation, your doctor will:

Discuss your reasons for wanting your implants removed
Review your previous breast surgeries and implant history
Examine your breast tissue, skin quality, scars, and implant position
Evaluate breast size, shape, and symmetry
Discuss how your breasts may change after implant removal
Determine whether a breast lift, fat grafting, or other procedure may improve your result
Discuss whether the implant capsule should also be addressed
Review your medical history and current medications
Explain the benefits, limitations, risks, and expected recovery

If available, previous operative reports, implant information, and breast imaging can be helpful during your evaluation. Additional imaging may be recommended depending on your individual circumstances.

Our goal is to develop a treatment plan that reflects both your anatomy and your goals. In some patients, implant removal alone provides the desired result. In others, combining removal with a breast lift or fat grafting can create a more balanced and natural breast shape.

The Procedure

Breast implant removal may be performed under general anesthesia or in the office under local anesthesia. The specific approach will depend on your individual circumstances.

Implant Removal

Your surgeon will use an existing breast incision whenever possible to remove the implant. The surgical approach may vary depending on the location of your previous incision, the condition of the implant, and whether additional procedures are being performed.

Addressing the Capsule

The tissue surrounding a breast implant is called the capsule. In some patients, the capsule can be left in place. In others, part or all of the capsule may need to be removed, particularly when there is capsular contracture, implant rupture, or another specific concern.

Breast Lift

After implant removal, some patients have excess or stretched breast skin. A breast lift can remove excess skin and reshape and reposition the remaining breast tissue to create a more lifted and natural contour.

Not every patient needs a breast lift. Your surgeon will evaluate your breast position, skin quality, and tissue volume to determine whether a lift would be beneficial.

Fat Grafting

In selected patients, fat can be transferred from another area of the body to the breasts to restore some volume and improve contour or symmetry. Fat grafting can be performed alone or in combination with implant removal and breast lift surgery.

Recovery after breast implant removal

Recovery following breast implant removal varies depending on whether additional procedures are performed.

You can expect:

Swelling and bruising during the first several weeks
Mild to moderate soreness and tightness
Temporary changes in breast or nipple sensation
Gradual changes in breast shape as swelling resolves
A supportive surgical bra during the early healing period

Patients having implant removal alone often have a relatively straightforward recovery. Recovery may be longer when a breast lift, fat grafting, or extensive capsule surgery is performed at the same time.

Many patients return to work within 1 to 2 weeks, depending on the extent of surgery and the physical demands of their job. Your surgeon will provide specific instructions regarding exercise, lifting, and other activities.

The breasts will continue to change as swelling resolves and the tissues settle. It may take several months before the final breast shape becomes apparent.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will my breasts look flat or deflated after implant removal?

They may initially appear flatter or less full, particularly if you have had implants for many years or had relatively little natural breast tissue before augmentation. The final appearance depends on the amount of remaining breast tissue, skin quality, implant size, and how much the breast has stretched over time. A breast lift or fat grafting may improve the shape in selected patients.

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

Not necessarily. Some patients have enough natural breast tissue and good enough skin quality that implant removal alone produces an acceptable result. A lift may be recommended when there is significant skin laxity or breast drooping. Your surgeon will evaluate your breasts and discuss what approach is most likely to achieve your goals.

Can I have a breast lift at the same time as implant removal?

In many cases, yes. Implant removal and breast lift surgery are commonly performed together when additional reshaping is needed. Whether combining the procedures is appropriate depends on your anatomy, skin quality, breast tissue, and goals.

Can I have fat grafting instead of a breast lift?

Fat grafting can restore some volume and improve contour, but it does not remove excess skin or significantly lift the breast. For some patients, fat grafting may be useful after implant removal, while others may benefit more from a breast lift or a combination of both.

What happens if my implant is ruptured?

The appropriate treatment depends on the type of implant and the circumstances of the rupture. Your surgeon will evaluate the implant and surrounding tissue and determine whether the capsule or other tissue should also be addressed. Additional imaging may be recommended before surgery.

Do you always have to remove the entire capsule when an implant is removed?

No. The capsule does not always need to be completely removed. The appropriate approach depends on the condition of the capsule, the type of implant, whether there is capsular contracture or rupture, and your individual circumstances.

Will removing my implants improve breast pain or discomfort?

If your discomfort is related to the implants, implant position, capsular contracture, or another implant-related issue, removal may improve your symptoms. However, breast or chest discomfort can have many causes, so improvement cannot be guaranteed.

Will my breasts return to the way they looked before implants?

Not necessarily. Pregnancy, breastfeeding, aging, weight changes, and the effects of having implants can all change the breast over time. Implant removal can return the breasts to a smaller size, but it cannot always restore their exact pre-augmentation appearance.

Will I lose sensation after implant removal?

Temporary changes in breast or nipple sensation can occur following surgery. Most patients experience improvement as the tissues heal, although permanent changes are possible.

Can I replace my implants later if I change my mind?

In many cases, yes. However, the breast tissue and skin may change after implant removal, which can affect future surgical options. If you are considering possibly replacing your implants in the future, discuss this with your surgeon before removal.

How long should I wait after implant removal before deciding if I need additional surgery?

The breasts need time to heal and settle after implant removal. Your surgeon will typically want to allow at least 3 months for swelling to resolve and the tissues to contract before determining whether additional surgery would improve the result.

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