What Will Breasts Look Like if Implants are Removed?

Plastic surgeons have traditionally done breast lifts in the same surgery as implant removal.  The theory behind this was that the stretched out skin and breast would be very saggy without the implant.  It is, in fact, possible to just remove the implants and wait to see how the breast reshapes.  I have been amazed at how well breasts tighten up in the weeks after explantation, and so, have stopped doing immediate lifts.  Patients have to understand that a secondary lift procedure can be done later, should the breasts remain overstretched and droopy.  I have not yet needed to do a revision lift.  Also, if your implants are saline filled, they can be easily deflated in the office, allowing you to see how the breasts reshape before going to the operating room to take the implants out.  This gives a patient a chance to see how she looks and feels without the implants so she can decide what operation she would like, lift, repeat augmentation or just implant removal, and have it done in one surgery.  If you hate your implants, taking them out is an option.  If this surgeon will not remove them, see another one.

Technically, there will be excess skin after implants are removed, breasts will look smaller and sag. It still varies greatly between patients because age, genetics, environment, skin elasticity, etc. will affect the results. There are a number of options you can choose from if you want your implants to be removed. In our office, there is regular breast lift, natural breast augmentation, or California Lift. The last two is almost the same in the sense that they both uses fat transfer.
Find a  board-certified plastic surgeon that has extensive experience with your case and discuss realistic goals and expectations. Best of luck! #RealSelf100

Breasts should look as they did prior to your implants depending on the size of the implant and the length of time the implants were in place. Discuss with your surgeon for best estimation of what you can expect. 

There are several factors that determine the result of a breast implant removal. Your skin could stretch back under several conditions: If your breast tissue did not decrease over the period from your original breasts; If your pectorals major muscle maintained its bulk; If your pectorals major was not cut during insertion; Or if it was cut during insertion, it was repaired successfully after explantation; If your rib contour was not altered by the implants. In other words, your skin has to be supported by adequate volume in the breast. In general, breasts with sub pectoral implants tend to do better than sub glandular implants after explantation, because the breast tissue is less stretched by the implants. Breasts that had no contracture tend to do better. Your question is a good one but complicated to answer. I have many videos that address concerns with breast implants.

For most patients, your breasts will return to their pre-augmented condition. I will often wait to address droop until 3-6 after explant as the tissues often contract nicely. However each patient is unique.

Unfortunately a small percentage of
breast augmentation patients develop severe capsular contractures which require
implant removal.  These cases are
often refractory to surgical procedures, medical management and massage. When
this situation arises, the only solution may be implant removal.

The majority of patients who
undergo implant removal for severe capsular contracture have good aesthetic
results and don’t usually require secondary surgery.  When severe capsular contractures occur, the implants are
typically forced in a superior direction. 
This prevents downward pressure on the implant pocket and breast tissue
and ultimately minimizes the potential for breast sag. 

                  Occasionally,
breast sag develops in combination with severe capsular contractures and breast
lift surgery is still necessary following implant removal.  In some cases this can safely be done
in combination with explantation. 
In other cases, a breast lift can be avoided utilizing this approach.

                  It’s
important to have a thorough discussion regarding this topic with your plastic surgeon. 
Your surgeon should be able to outline their plan and alleviate your
anxiety.