How well will my breast fill out after explant? Been in for 12 years

There are several influences that determine how your breasts will look after explant. Some include the size of the implants, the length of time they were in place, and skin elasticity. An in person evaluation is best but based on the information provided it is likely that you will have some skin retraction but will likely be left with loose skin. A breast lift may be recommended to improve shape. This can typically be done at the time of explant.

Without physical exam and history, no personal advice is possible, but here are some general concepts.There is no magic cream to shrink skin.After removal of implants, the breast will not refill with natural tissue.  However there will be natural shrinkage of the skin.  All pregnant bellies shrink after delivery, some dramatically others less so, but they all shrink.If you have saline implants, fluid can be removed in a controlled manner with a needle over two weeks prior to surgery which will allow smoother shrinkage and give you an idea what the final result will be.

Thank you for the question. Short answer: much will depend on your physical examination ( factors such as degree of breast ptosis, current position of breast implants, assessment of breast skin quality/elasticity…) and your plastic surgeons' clinical judgment.Generally speaking what breasts look like after explantation depends on several factors such as: the quality of skin elasticity (the better the elasticity the better the skin will bounce back), the size of the implants used (the larger the implant the more trouble you may have with redundant skin), and the amount of breast tissue present at this time (which may have changed since the time of your breast augmentation).Life experience since your breast augmentation procedure, such as pregnancy or weight gain weight loss, will potentially influence the factors discussed above. If you take these factors into consideration and apply them to your specific circumstances you may get a good idea of what to expect after the implants are removed.In my practice, if a patient presents with "breasts in borderline position" or has doubts about breast lifting surgery, I suggest that they undergo breast implant removal only; breast lifting can always be done at a second stage, if necessary.I hope this, and the attached link (dedicated to breast implant removal surgery concerns) helps. Best wishes with your decision-making and for an outcome that you will be pleased with long-term.