Why More Women Are Choosing Breast Implant Removal

Different fashion tastes and changing body aesthetics are reshaping women’s interest in breast augmentation. The shift appears to be moving away from the old preference for “bigger is better” to a more natural shape.

“Small is chic these days,” says Devinder Singh, M.D., a plastic surgeon with UHealth, part of the University of Miami Health System. “The trend is for a more subtle look.”

This means breast implant removal surgery is actually growing at a much faster rate than breast augmentation, though the latter procedure is still a popular choice around the country. Figures from the annual Plastics Surgery Statistic Report published by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons bears this out. The ASPS reports 41,271 explantations in 2024, compared to about 36,000 in 2019.

While the growth in implant removal surgery is more modest over shorter periods of time, it signals a steady interest among women.

Breast augmentations, on the other hand, have stayed stable. In the past 15 years, these procedures have grown at a more modest 3%.

“For some women who got the implants 15 or 20 years ago, they’re in a different place in their lives,” adds Dr. Singh, who is also chief and program director of UHealth Plastic Surgery. “Their preferences have changed as they age, so looking a certain way doesn’t matter anymore.”

Why interest in breast implant removal is growing

Recent interest in wellness and physical fitness is also driving the rise in implant removals, says Dr. Singh, as more women prefer an “athletic” body over a curvy silhouette. Social media has helped highlight the growing popularity of the surgery, too. Celebrities such as Alyssa Milano, Michelle Visage, Tori Spelling and Chrissy Teigen have posted about their explant procedures.

Milano, for instance, shared a photo of herself in a hospital gown and cap on her Instagram account in late 2025, writing that she was “letting go of the body that was sexualized…that I believed was necessary for me to be attractive; to be loved; to be successful; to be happy. And in doing so, I hope I am releasing my daughter Bella from ever feeling those same unhealthy demands.”

While clinical trials don’t differentiate between fitness or fashion trends and medical reasons, some tracking data do show that lifestyle and aesthetic preferences influence women when considering breast implant removal. One 2023 retrospective study of more than 500 women reported that the most common subjective complaint was “dissatisfaction with breast appearance,” followed by physical discomfort, pain and safety concerns.

Another global study of 18,541 women across 40 countries found that 23% of women explicitly stated they prefer smaller breasts. (But 48% wanted larger breasts.) Though the study did not deal directly with explant surgery, the results are informative because researchers concluded that breast size dissatisfaction correlates with age.

As women grow older, they prefer smaller, lighter breasts. This corresponds with what Dr. Singh sees in his practice. Breast augmentation patients tend to be in their 20s and 30s. Those wanting to remove them are usually in their 50s or older.

Medical concerns remain the leading reasons for removal

Most implant removal surgeries, however, are driven by medical complications and not aesthetic concerns. The most common are capsular contraction (14.7% of cases), when scar tissue around the implant hardens and causes pain and distortion and rupture or leakage (14.2%). Other reasons given are infection or tissue and positioning issues.

That said, “breast implants have a long and researched record of safety,” Dr. Singh says, adding that newer implant models are more natural looking with fewer leakage issues.

In fact, he still sees “a demand for breast augmentation and it’s a procedure that’s still quite popular in South Florida.”

These requests come with a notable difference. Rather than C or D cups, women are asking for smaller sizes. The ASPS calls it the ballerina breast trend.

This is a complex procedure and it requires a surgeon who understands not just how to remove an implant, but how to manage the surrounding tissue and restore the breast’s natural shape.
Dr. Devinder Singh

What happens during breast implant removal surgery?

The explant surgery is usually done under general anesthesia in an outpatient clinic. It can take about three hours. After an incision is made in the breast, the surgeon carefully separates and removes the implant from surrounding tissue. If the implant is ruptured, the surgeon must also remove the leaked silicone gel or saline as well as any surrounding debris.

Drains are placed in each breast. Typical recovery is one to two weeks, and most women can return to daily activities, including work, by the second week. Full healing takes about six weeks.

In some cases, the surgeon may also perform a mastopexy (breast lift) or reshape the breast tissue to create fullness and symmetry once the implant is removed.

Find a certified surgeon

While every case is different, Dr. Singh strongly recommends that any woman considering the procedure choose a plastic surgeon certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS), not just by a clinic or a self‑designated group. South Florida has repeatedly been linked to serious problems involving non‑certified medical practitioners performing plastic surgeries in unlicensed clinics, resulting in patient injuries and even deaths.

ABPS certification means the surgeon has completed at least six years of surgical training, has specialized training in both plastic and reconstructive surgery and participates in continuing education in surgical techniques.

“This is a complex procedure,” Dr. Singh explains, “and it requires a surgeon who understands not just how to remove an implant, but how to manage the surrounding tissue and restore the breast’s natural shape as well as address any complications.”

Questions about breast implant removal?

Request an appointment with a UHealth plastic surgeon.

Written by Ana Vecina-Suarez. Reviewed by Devinder Singh, M.D.

Tags: breast augmentation, breast implants, Dr. Devinder Singh, plastic surgery