BREAST Implants
Options if you’re flat after breast implant removal
Choosing to remove breast implants is a highly personal decision—and for many women, it comes with both emotional and physical adjustments.
If you’re feeling flat after breast implant removal, know that you’re not alone. Whether it’s due to lifestyle changes, health concerns, or simply evolving body goals, there are options to help you feel confident in your skin again.
In this blog, we explore your next steps—from fat transfer and breast lift to natural enhancement strategies.
Will my breasts look flat after breast implant removal?
It’s possible that your breasts may appear flatter or smaller after breast implant removal, especially if your implants were in place for several years.
Over time, natural breast tissue can thin or stretch, and the skin may lose elasticity—leading to a deflated or sagging appearance once the implants are removed.
However, the final outcome after implant removal depends on several factors, including:
- The size and type of implants you had
- How long the implants were in place
- Your skin’s elasticity and natural breast tissue quality
- Your natural breast size and shape before implants
- Whether you opt for additional procedures like a breast lift or fat transfer
If you’re concerned about looking flat after breast implant removal, there are both surgical and non-surgical options available to restore shape and contour.
What causes flat breasts after breast implant removal?
Flat breasts after implant removal can occur for several reasons.
One common cause is that the breast tissue may have stretched over time to accommodate the implants. Once the implants are removed, this stretched tissue may not fully return to its original shape or size, resulting in a flattened appearance—sometimes referred to as “implant deflation.”
Another possible cause of flat breasts after implant removal is if the surrounding breast tissue is removed along with the breast implant during a procedure called capsulectomy. This is typically done when the implant has ruptured or caused complications such as capsular contracture, and it can result in further volume loss.
Additionally, natural factors such as ageing, hormonal changes, or weight fluctuations can also lead to reduced breast volume after implant removal surgery, making the breasts appear flatter than before.
What are my options after going flat after breast implant removal?
Many women who undergo explant surgery are also considering an upgrade with new breast implants tailored to their current preferences. For some, this means replacing older saline implants—often placed years ago—with modern silicone implants, which tend to look more natural.
Others are looking to increase or decrease the overall size of their breasts. While they may have preferred a fuller or more dramatic appearance in the past, they now desire a smaller, more proportionate look that better aligns with their lifestyle and aesthetic goals.
Today, there’s a wide range of implant options to choose from, including round or teardrop-shaped implants, silicone or saline-filled, low to high profiles, and smooth or textured surfaces—allowing for highly customised results based on your body and vision.
Fat transfer (Natural breast augmentation)
If you have good skin elasticity and only minimal sagging after implant removal, fat transfer may be a great option to restore natural volume.
This procedure involves gently removing fat from areas of the body where it’s not wanted—like the upper arms, abdomen, or thighs—using liposuction. That fat is then purified and strategically injected into the breasts, particularly the upper poles, to create a naturally fuller, lifted appearance.
For many women, fat transfer offers an ideal solution after breast implant removal. This technique allows you to have fuller-looking breasts without implants, along with the added benefit of body contouring in areas where you’ve always wanted to slim down.
That said, it’s important to remember that fat transfer has its limits. Only a certain amount of fat can be safely injected to ensure long-lasting, complication-free results. Your surgeon will help determine if this option is right for your body and goals.
Breast lift after implant removal
After breast implant removal, many women are left with a flat or deflated breast appearance, which can also be compounded by weight loss. In many cases, the issue isn’t a lack of breast tissue, but rather stretched skin and sagging caused by the previous implants.
A breast lift surgery is the ideal solution for women experiencing these changes. This procedure addresses excess skin, repositions downward-pointing nipples, and lifts the breast tissue and areola higher on the chest wall.
While a breast lift doesn’t add volume like implants do, it significantly improves breast shape and contour—resulting in a firmer, more youthful, and perkier appearance without the need for breast implants.
For some patients, breast volume may still feel excessive even after implant removal. In these cases, breast reduction surgery can be a highly beneficial next step.
This procedure reduces breast size by removing excess tissue, fat, and skin, resulting in a smaller, more proportionate shape. Beyond improving appearance, breast reduction surgery often provides significant relief from chronic discomfort such as back, neck, and shoulder pain.
It can also correct other common problems, like skin chafing and difficulty finding well-fitting, comfortable bras or clothing—helping you feel more at ease in your body every day.
Expert care for every stage of your breast journey- Contact Dr Faisal Salim
Whether you’re navigating the changes after breast implant removal or exploring options like fat transfer or breast lift, expert guidance can make all the difference.
Dr Faisal Salim is a leading UK-trained plastic surgeon in Dubai known for his personalised approach, surgical precision, and dedication to helping patients feel confident in their bodies. From subtle reshaping to full reconstruction, Dr Faisal offers tailored breast treatments based on your unique needs and goals—ensuring results that are both natural-looking and empowering.
Book your consultation today.
FAQs
It depends on your skin’s elasticity, the size of your implants, and how long you’ve had them. Larger breast implants or long-term implant use may stretch the skin, leading to sagging breasts after removal. In such cases, procedures like a breast lift or fat transfer can help restore shape and firmness.
Yes, many women achieve a beautiful, natural look after explant surgery—especially when paired with a breast lift, fat grafting, or breast reconstruction. The final appearance will depend on your natural tissue, skin quality, and whether additional contouring procedures are performed.
Breast augmentation is a cosmetic surgical procedure designed to enhance breast size and shape, typically using breast implants. It can also be performed using fat transfer for a more natural alternative.
Breast implants are usually composed of a silicone outer shell filled with either saline (sterile salt water) or silicone gel. Both types have a silicone outer shell, and each has its own benefits in terms of feel, appearance, and safety.
In some cases, yes. If you have good skin elasticity and sufficient natural breast tissue, your breasts may regain a pleasing shape on their own over time. However, if you’re left feeling “flat,” you might consider options like fat transfer or breast augmentation with smaller or different implants for more volume.
“Fluffing” refers to the natural softening and settling process of breast tissue after surgery. After a breast lift with implant removal, your breasts may appear tight or high initially, but they often soften and take on a rounder, more natural shape over the following weeks.
While surgery offers the most noticeable results, some non-invasive treatments like skin-tightening or dermal fillers may offer minimal improvement. However, these are typically not long-term solutions for significant sagging or volume loss.
If you feel your breasts are still too large or causing discomfort, breast reduction surgery may be recommended. It removes additional tissue and skin, helping relieve back pain, shoulder grooving, and posture issues.
Some procedures can be done at the same time as explant surgery. In other cases, your surgeon may recommend waiting a few months to allow swelling to subside and skin to settle before proceeding with further enhancements.
Absolutely. Many women choose to combine both procedures to address volume loss and sagging simultaneously, achieving a more lifted and fuller breast appearance without implants.
