Do breasts look deformed if breast implants are removed?

Question

If one would like to have them removed, does the breast go back to its original shape?

Jed H. Horowitz, MD, FACS · Answer

hello itskin Although good results are expected, there is no guarantee or warranty, expressed or implied, as to the results that may be obtained. The body is not symmetric and almost everyone has some degree of unevenness, which may not be recognized in advance. One side of the face may be slightly larger, while one side of the face may be droopier. The breast and trunk area exhibits the same possibilities. Many of these issues cannot be fully corrected with surgery. The more realistic your expectations are as to the results, the better your results will appear to you. Some patients never achieve their desired goals or results, at no fault of the surgeon or surgery. You may be disappointed with the results of surgery. Asymmetry, unanticipated shape and size, loss of function, wound disruption, poor healing, and loss of sensation may occur after surgery. Size may be incorrect. Unsatisfactory surgical scar location or appearance may occur. It may be necessary to perform additional surgery to improve your results. Unsatisfactory results may NOT improve with each additional treatment.

Natalie Ngan, FRACS (Plast) · Answer

The appearance of breasts after removal of implants is dependent on multiple factors including: how long the implants have been in, which plane the implants are in (sub muscular vs sub glandular), the size of the implants, the amount of overlying breast tissue, the quality of the overlying skin/tissue, whether or not there is capsular contracture. I would recommend having a consultation with a Plastic Surgeon for an opinion. They will be able to assess you and give you an indication of what your result may be after implant removal. Good luck!

Steve Merten, FRACS - Account Suspended · Answer

This depends on what they were like before, what sized implants you have and how much the skin is stretched. If your skin is good and breast small, then the result may be better. I would never guarantee that they will be like they were before, however. Regards, Dr Steve Merten, Sydney

Tom J. Pousti, MD · Answer

Thank you for the question.   Nothing will replace in-person evaluation when it comes to providing you with good advice.  
Generally speaking, what your breasts will 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.
 Patience is definitely indicated after removal of breast implants; it will take many months/year for the skin to “bounce back” and for you to see the final appearance of the breasts.
In "borderline" cases where there is doubt whether breast lifting is necessary or not, I advise patients to undergo explantation only and to give their breasts the benefit of the doubt  before deciding whether breast lifting would be beneficial.  
 I hope this helps. Best wishes.

Camille Cash, MD · Answer

There are many factors that will determine how the breasts will appear once healed from implant removal.  Some of the factors include size of the implant, length of time implant was in place, and quality of the skin.  The skin will retract to some degree, but it varies by patient.  I recommend visiting a plastic surgeon in your area for a consultation.  Your surgeon will be able to provide more detailed information after an exam.

Scott L. Replogle, MD (retired) · Answer

A breast implant is like a pillow placed behind the breast and doesn't "deform" it when put in and doesn't "deform" it when it's taken out. It also doesn't lift the breast up when put in or make the breast sag down when taken out. There are two reasons why a breast might not look the same as it's original shape though. One is that time has passed and the breast has changed with or without an implant behind it. The other is if the implant was too big or otherwise deformed the breast when it was put in. Breast implants that are properly sized and positioned when put in don't deform the breast and if the implant is taken out within the first few months the breast would likely look the same.

Stacy Peterson, MD (retired) · Answer

Very good question.  Breast implants stretch the skin and tissues.  When the implants are removed, the breasts tend to sag and droop more.  After being stretched for a long period of time they will not go back to their original state.  Most women who have implant removal in my practice typically come in at a later date to have them put back in.

Do breasts look deformed if breast implants are removed?

Answers (7)

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