When you have breast implants removed, you lose the volume and weight of the implants themselves, which can lead to a smaller bust and possibly weight loss, but you may also experience loose skin and a deflated look; some people see their breasts "fluff" and regain some natural shape, while others opt for a lift to address sagging. The actual weight loss is usually minimal (just the implant's weight, often 1-2 lbs per side), but the visual change in breast size and shape is significant, often requiring adjustment to a more natural, smaller look.
Research shows no direct link between Nexplanon and weight gain. If you lose weight after removing the implant, it's likely due to other factors.
Overall, you should feel completely normal after getting your implant taken out. Your arm may feel tender or swollen around where the implant was for a few days. It may look bruised for a week or two. Your doctor or nurse will tell you how to wash and take care of your skin for a couple of days after removal.
When you have breast implants, your skin stretches to accommodate the size of your breasts. After implant removal, your breasts may sag, droop or appear misshapen. Many people choose to have implant removal with a breast lift (mastopexy).
While some women end up with a satisfying breast shape and minimal loose skin after explant surgery alone, others find their breasts appear somewhat deflated, saggy, or deformed without implants filling them out. Combining mastopexy with explant helps reshape and support the remaining tissue.
Other reported side effects of the contraceptive implant include headache, sore breasts, weight gain, acne, and thrush or bacterial vaginosis. There's not enough evidence to say whether these side effects are caused by the implant.
Breasts may appear deflated, saggy, or misshapen. Skin may be loose and will likely have severe wrinkles. Nipples and areolas point downwards.
Drains: Most patients will have drains for 4 or 5 days. Sometimes drains can stay longer depending on the amount of fluid your body is producing. Once the drains are under 30cc for a full 24 hours then they can be removed.
There is no specific “shelf life” for implants, but typically they need to be removed or replaced every 10 to 20 years. That's why, in addition to getting regular mammograms, women with breast implants should also schedule ultrasounds every 3 years to ensure the implants remain intact.
Patients can take steps during recovery to tighten skin and improve the appearance of their breasts before further treatments or procedures.
The Breast Implant Removal Procedure
Breast explant requires general anesthesia and may take up to two to three hours, depending on the patient and their breast concerns.
Breast explant regret refers to the emotional or aesthetic dissatisfaction some women experience after having their breast implants removed. While many patients feel empowered and relieved after explant surgery, others encounter unexpected feelings of loss, disappointment, or self-doubt.
If you are having an implant removed and your current implant is out of date and you do not want to get pregnant we ask you to use another method of contraception e.g. pill or condom or abstain from sexual intercourse for 3 weeks before your removal appointment.
Weight loss blockers often include calorie creep (underestimating intake), a slowing metabolism as you lose weight, hormonal imbalances (like thyroid or cortisol issues), poor sleep, chronic stress, and not enough protein/too many processed carbs, leading to plateaus; addressing these involves adjusting calorie intake, increasing activity, improving diet quality (more protein/veggies, fewer sugars/refined carbs), managing stress, and ensuring sufficient sleep.
There are usually no major side effects from the implant removal procedure itself and in fact, any side effects that you might have had while you had the implant will eventually go away after it's been removed. The most common side effect of the contraceptive is changes to your menstrual bleeding.
Fortunately, the breast implants themselves will retain their volume and shape over time, even with weight change. However, gaining or losing weight can cause the fat cells in and around the breasts to swell or shrink, which will affect the overall appearance of the chest.
It works for 3 years before it needs to be replaced. You can use the contraceptive implant until you reach the menopause. The implant can be removed at any time by a doctor or nurse. It only takes a few minutes to remove and local anaesthetic will be used.
Typically, the most common breast implant size ranges between 300cc and 500cc. 400cc tends to be the single most common implant.
The "45 55 breast rule" refers to a widely studied aesthetic ideal where the breast volume is split with 45% in the upper pole (above the nipple) and 55% in the lower pole (below the nipple), creating a naturally sloped, teardrop shape rather than a round, full look. This ratio, established by plastic surgeon research, is consistently rated as most attractive by men, women, and surgeons across different demographics, supporting its use as a benchmark in breast augmentation for natural-looking results.
Many doctors request that you wear a bandage for support during the healing process. The pain after breast implant removal can be very minimal. You will likely be able to resume your normal activities right after your procedure. This is a procedure that is not as invasive as an actual enhancement.
The procedure should not feel sharp or painful but it is normal to feel pressure. Implant fitting usually takes about a minute; the skin incision is less than 3mm. Implant removal usually takes less than 5 minutes and the incision is usually less than 5mm.
Fluffing refers to the process where breast tissue re-expands or recoils to its pre-implant size following explant surgery. This typically occurs over several weeks to a few months. The degree of fluffing varies based on factors such as age, weight fluctuations, skin elasticity, and the amount of natural breast tissue.
Round is the most common implant shape and creates a very natural looking result, both when standing and lying down. The saline or silicone inside of a round implant settles when standing, creating a natural breast shape that is wider at the bottom, thinner at the top.
Oftentimes, the breasts will sag significantly in addition to being much smaller. When you have breast implants inserted, your breast tissue gradually stretches to accommodate them. So, when those implants are removed, the skin will be more stretched out than necessary, which can cause the breasts to sag or droop.
According to Men's Health, the biggest tipoffs that men look for to determine if a woman has had breast augmentation surgery are based on sight alone. Indicators include the breasts being too close together, appearing abnormally large, or sitting too high on a woman's torso.