How dramatically will explanting affect my breasts?

Thank you for your inquiry! Typically this depends on how much breast tissue you currently have. We would love to meet with you and discuss your concerns. Schedule a consultation with a Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon to help you reach your goals.

After 11 years with 150cc and 250cc saline implants, you can generally expect a moderate change in breast volume and shape after removal but the outcome depends on a few key factors:
Deflation or Flattening: Since the implants are relatively small, dramatic deflation is less likely than with larger implants. You’ll lose upper pole fullness but most women retain some natural shape.
Skin Retraction & Elasticity: At 22–23 years old, your skin likely had good elasticity. If you’ve maintained a stable weight, your skin may retract reasonably well after removal.
Asymmetry & Contracture Effects: Mild capsular contracture could slightly distort the shape, but once removed, the tissue typically softens over time. Asymmetry may remain unless corrected with a lift or fat transfer.
After healing (usually over 3–6 months), your breasts will settle into a more natural shape. They may appear a bit deflated at first, but this can improve as swelling resolves and tissue adjusts. If desired, many patients consider:
Fat transfer for subtle volume and shape restoration or Breast lift if there’s sagging or stretched skin
But of course, a consultation will help tailor and give you a more precise idea of your likely results and if you’d benefit from a Lift or Contouring at the time of explant.
Warm wishes for your next steps, Dr. Erman AK!

In general, silicone implants are superior to saline implants. However, there are three scenarios in which saline implants are preferable. The first scenario is in the patient who has a narrow budget and nice soft tissue coverage. Saline costs less than silicone implants. We, as plastic surgeons, achieved great results when silicone implants were routinely off the market in the 90s. The second scenario is in patients such as yourself in which you'd want to "see" before committing to what you might look like with no implants. You may love it. You may hate it. But at least you would be able to make an informed, visual decision before opting to a larger procedure. and your decision is reversable. The third is the patient who has gained weight over many years and the breast are now too large. She doesn't know if she wants smaller implants or, if they are still too large when the implants are deflated, she may choose to have NO implants at all. Best advice is to deflate them in the office using local anesthesia. It will be obvious in a very few weeks if you love the new look (and simply want them removed) or whether you still want "a little somethin" in which case you may opt for a smaller size.