Robert Whitfield MDAmerica's Breast Implant Illness Expert™

What You'll Look Like Without Implants

2 Oct 2026 · 1 min

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0:45

Dr. Robert Whitfield discusses what to expect after breast implant removal: saline implants can be deflated first to preview the change, but silicone cannot. A lift may be needed depending on skin stretch. Fat grafting can restore up to about a cup size if you're healthy, though feeling strange about the change afterward is normal.

Questions this video answers

Yes. If they're saline, I can deflate them first, so you get to live with the change before surgery. With silicone, you can't do that.

No, not everyone. It depends on how much your skin's been stretched and how much of your own tissue is left.

Yes, if your health's in good shape. If your body's dealing with a lot of inflammation, I'd rather you heal first and do it later.

No. It's hard to get much more than a cup size out of a fat transfer.

Yes, feeling strange after implant removal is a normal emotional adjustment.

Can I get used to being smaller before my implants come out?
Yes. If they're saline, I can deflate them first, so you get to live with the change before surgery. With silicone, you can't do that.
Do I need a lift?
No, not everyone. It depends on how much your skin's been stretched and how much of your own tissue is left.
Can you add fat back in the same surgery?
Yes, if your health's in good shape. If your body's dealing with a lot of inflammation, I'd rather you heal first and do it later.
Can fat get me back to the size I had with implants?
No. It's hard to get much more than a cup size out of a fat transfer.
Is it normal to feel weird about how I look after?
Yes. A lot of women got implants at 18 and can't remember what they looked like without them. Waking up to that is a big change, and it's okay if it takes a while for you to feel like you again.