Breast Implant Removal: Is It Worth Returning to Your Natural Shape?

In recent years, more and more of my patients have been requesting not only to reduce the size of their breast implants but to have them removed entirely. This trend, which has been actively developing in the United States and Europe, is gradually spreading to Ukraine. The reasons vary: physiological changes, the desire to live without foreign objects in the body, a shift in aesthetic preferences, health issues, or entering a new stage in life. Yet the question always comes down to one key point: is it worth returning to the natural shape of the breasts?

Reasons for Breast Implant Removal
Modern society increasingly promotes trends toward naturalness and authenticity, so it’s not only celebrities (like Pamela Anderson) who seek to return to their natural forms, but also many ordinary women.
Most often, patients decide to remove implants after 10–15 years of wearing them – a typical period after which replacement or assessment of their condition is necessary. Some turn to removal due to capsular contracture (tightening around the implant), discomfort, asymmetry, or age-related changes that diminish aesthetic appeal. In certain cases, it’s about psychological fatigue from implants, when over time, a woman grows tired of the heightened attention from men.

Aesthetics After Implant Removal: What to Expect
One of the most important questions women ask me during consultations is: What will my breasts look like after implant removal? There is no universal answer, as the appearance of the breasts in each case depends on:

• the duration of implant wear

• the initial breast volume

• the condition of the breast skin and surrounding area

• the presence of ptosis (tissue sagging)

It’s important to note that after implant removal, natural tissue does not always return to its original appearance. Additional interventions are often needed, such as breast lift (mastopexy), lipofilling, or other soft-tissue procedures that restore the shape, volume, and proportions of the breasts.

Is Returning to “Natural” Always the Best Choice?
Returning to a natural form is not just a physical change – it’s an important emotional decision. It’s often linked to changes in self-identity, acceptance of age-related features, a new lifestyle, or a different perspective on one’s body.
However, this isn’t the ideal choice for everyone. Sometimes, implant removal without correction results in an outcome a woman feels uncomfortable with. In such cases, alternatives can be considered: smaller implants or modern anatomically shaped implants.

Surgical Approach
The implant removal procedure can be straightforward or combined. Sometimes only the implant is removed; other times, the capsule is taken out as well. In cases of fibrosis or suspected chronic inflammation, an en bloc resection is recommended, during which the implant and surrounding tissue are removed together.

Personally, I support an informed patient decision based on realistic expectations (for example, it’s impossible to remove large breast implants without any visible changes), a thorough assessment of breast tissue condition, and a review of overall health.

In some cases, implant removal is necessary for medical reasons. In others, the previous surgeon’s work may have been excellent, with no health concerns – but for the patient, removal is simply a path toward naturalness. The role of the plastic surgeon is not only to perform the surgery well but also to ensure the patient feels confident and comfortable in her new appearance.

If you’re considering removing implants that feel unnatural or cause you discomfort, book a consultation with me – together, we will find the best solution for you.