Back to BlogWhat to Expect: How Your Breasts Will Look After Explant Surgery
Making the choice to remove your breast implants can be challenging, and often comes with a complex mix of emotions. But if you’re experiencing physical discomfort or are unhappy with the aesthetics of your implants, breast explant surgery can help you feel more at home in your body.
“A patient’s happiness with their body is the most important part of what we do,” explains Dr. Sean Boutros. “Our goal is to restore confidence and comfort, whether that means removing implants, reshaping natural tissue, or combining techniques to help you feel like yourself again.”
Of course, even if you’re committed to breast implant removal, you may be concerned about what your body will look like after the surgery and curious about what you can do to improve the look and feel of your breasts.
In this post, we’ll walk you through exactly what to expect, factors that impact surgical outcomes, and other breast procedures to help improve your results, so you feel confident in your decision and comfortable with your appearance.
What Is Breast Explant Surgery?
Breast explant surgery is a procedure in which a board-certified plastic surgeon removes a patient’s breast implants and any surrounding scar tissue. It’s often combined with other cosmetic procedures, like contouring and skin tightening, to help improve breast shape and achieve more natural-looking results.
There are several reasons a patient may choose to have their implants removed, including:
- A change in body image, lifestyle, or aesthetic preferences
- Capsular contracture (hard scar tissue around the implant, which can misshape the breast and cause discomfort)
- Damage or complications (such as an implant leak, rupture, or shift)
- Unsatisfactory results (such as breast asymmetry, rippling, or visibility of the implant’s edges)
- Development of chronic pain in the breast, chest, shoulders, or back
- Suspected or diagnosed breast implant illness (BII)
- Health anxiety over potential future complications
Factors That Affect How Breasts Will Look After Implant Removal
One of the biggest concerns patients have when they begin exploring an explant procedure is about how breasts look after implant removal. But because each of our bodies is unique, surgery results vary significantly.
Here are a few factors that can impact your breast explant results:
- Natural breast tissue volume
Your post-explant appearance will depend on your natural breast structure. For example, patients who have more breast tissue will often retain more volume after surgery, while less naturally full breasts may look more deflated. - Implant size and duration
When implants are large or have been in place for many years, they can stretch the skin and underlying tissue. This can lead to more noticeable changes in breast position and shape after removal. - Skin elasticity and age
As we age, our body produces less collagen and elastin. So, while younger patients often notice their skin naturally re-tightens after explantation, older patients may have looser skin and a less lifted appearance. - Capsular contracture or implant complications
Scar tissue buildup or complications like implant ruptures or shifts can alter the breast shape, and removing the implant and affected tissue can reveal asymmetries and distorted breast appearance. - Weight fluctuations or pregnancy history
Pregnancy and significant weight gain or loss can affect natural breast tissue volume, breast structure, and skin firmness — all of which can impact how breasts look after explant surgery.
Common Aesthetic Outcomes After Explant Surgery
Before you undergo an explant procedure, it’s important to set realistic expectations for your breast appearance without implants.
Here’s what to expect after explant surgery:
- Sagging or drooping (ptosis)
It’s common to see some degree of sagging after implant removal, especially if you had larger implants (which are more likely to stretch the skin). Keep in mind that this is a natural response, not a flaw. - Loss of upper pole fullness
You’re likely to notice less volume in the upper portion of your breast after implant surgery, which is completely normal. In fact, this is where people naturally lose fullness with age, even if they’ve never had implants. - Flattened or deflated appearance
Many patients have a flatter appearance after implant removal — especially patients who have less breast tissue. After living with an augmented bust, it may take some time to adjust to this new shape. - Natural or smaller-looking breasts
Some patients opt to undergo an explant surgery because they miss their smaller breast size. These patients will be happy to know their breasts will likely look much more natural after they’ve recovered from their surgery.
If you need a more visual representation, it can be helpful to look at breast implant removal before and after photos. However, keep in mind that your results will depend on your unique body and breast structure.
Surgical Options to Improve Aesthetic Results
If you’re concerned about the outcomes listed above and want to restore some of the shape, volume, and symmetry you may lose after an explant procedure, there are multiple surgical options available.
Here are a few procedures you can combine with your breast explant surgery to improve long-term results:
Explant with breast lift (mastopexy)
Many patients opt to pair their explant with a breast lift, which can help reduce sagging and achieve a more youthful contour. During an explant with lift procedure, your surgeon will remove excess skin, reshape the breast tissue, and reposition the breasts higher on your chest.
Fat transfer or tissue support options
A fat transfer procedure uses your body’s natural tissue to subtly increase breast volume and smooth out contour irregularities — and tissue support will help reinforce breast shape after your implants are removed. While you can undergo a breast fat transfer after explant surgery, doing it concurrently can help reduce the overall recovery timeline.
All Me Augmentation
Developed by board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Sean Boutros, the All Me Augmentation is a DIEP flap breast surgery that uses excess abdominal tissue to increase breast volume and shape. This personalized procedure often delivers more natural-looking results than traditional implants — without the volume loss or lengthy recovery patients frequently experience with conventional fat grafting. Additionally, because this method uses tissue from your midsection, it can help create a more defined waistline.
En bloc capsulectomy vs. simple explant
An en bloc capsulectomy differs from a regular explant in that it removes the implant and surrounding capsule (formed by scar tissue) in one piece. While this is not necessarily an aesthetic-focused surgery, it can help reduce complications after a ruptured or damaged implant and make it easier for surgeons to perform a breast lift, fat transfer, or other cosmetic procedure.
How Long Does It Take for Breasts to Settle After Explant Surgery?
In addition to aesthetics, patients’ leading concern about breast implant removal is how long it will take to see results. While our surgeons use the most advanced and least invasive techniques available, breast recovery after explant surgery is always a gradual process, and it can take time for your breasts to settle into their new shape.
Although experiences may vary depending on your age, reason for undergoing an explant, and other procedures included, most patients’ healing aligns with this timeline:
- Weeks 1 – 2: Many patients experience bruising, tightness, and swelling after implant removal, which can distort the appearance of your breasts. Focus on resting as much as possible during this period, and be sure to wear supportive garments as directed to help reduce inflammation.
- Weeks 3 – 5: By now, any soreness and swelling will have subsided significantly, and while your breasts may still appear high or misshapen, they will begin to settle. After week three, your surgeon may clear you for light activities, but will likely recommend that you continue wearing supportive garments to keep your breasts stable while your tissue heals.
- Weeks 6+: After week six, you should see substantial improvement in your incision scars, and you may be able to resume exercise and other strenuous activities. Your breasts will likely feel softer and appear more settled, and will continue improving over time. It often takes 3 – 6 months to see final results.
Carefully following your care plan (including all surgeon recommendations) is the best thing you can do to improve results after implant removal.
Talk With a Breast Reconstruction Specialist About Your Explant Options
Whether you’re frustrated by ongoing discomfort due to your implants, unhappy with the appearance of your breast augmentation, or concerned about BII or other potential health impacts, breast explant surgery can help.
Schedule a consultation with one of our experienced Houston plastic surgeons to learn more about your options, get your questions answered, and take the first step toward restoring your confidence and comfort.