Breast augmentation is the top cosmetic surgery procedure.
But an increasing number of women are returning to the clinic to have their implants removed.
Victoria Beckham and Sharon Osbourne are just a few of the stars who have announced they had ‘explants’ to ditch their larger breasts for a more natural set.
Experts point to a trend that women in their older years are turning to plastic surgeons to remove bustier implants they received when they were younger.
Studies show that larger breasts can lead to neck and back pain, rashes, swelling, joint pain and limited physical activity.
In extreme cases, implants can lead to cancer, causing women to ditch bigger boobs for health reasons.
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Women are beginning to have explants for health reasons. Studies show that larger breasts can lead to neck and back pain, rashes, swelling, joint pain and limited physical activity. In extreme cases, implants can lead to cancer, causing women to ditch bigger boobs
Dr Norman Rowe, a plastic surgeon in New York City’s Upper East Side, said the number of women deciding on explants have taken off in the past year.
He said: ‘Before 2016, it wasn’t even registered as a top procedure, now it’s in the top ten.
WHAT HAPPENS WHEN AN IMPLANT IS TAKEN OUT COMPLETELY
More and more women are having their breast implants taken out completely and turned into explants.
This is not as simple as taking out an implant and the woman will return to her natural size.
Dr Rowe explains that since an implant puts pressure on the native breast tissue, the breast will be smaller than before.
Any size breast augmentation will stretch out the skin, so a lift is common after taking an implant out.
‘More women are wanting a natural look. Obvious implants are going out of style, they don’t want that Barbie look.’
Dr Michael Fiorillo, agreed and said he has seen more older women coming into his practice looking to downsize but maintains that younger women still want the bustier sizes but a natural feel.
He said the reason why breasts might appear to seem smaller is due to improved implant material.
Dr Fiorillo said: ‘They are nicknamed gummy bear implants because they retain their shape better.’
Around 40,000 women had breast explants last year, with most wanting the implant taken out completely and nothing new put in, according to Dr Rowe.
In March the FDA announced they found a rare cancer linked to breast implants containing silicone and saline, which contributed to nine deaths.
Victoria Beckham revealed that she ditched her larger implants breasts for a more natural look. Pictured: Victoria Beckham, left, in 2007 with an overflowing 34DD and in 2016, right, with a modest 34A
Dr Rowe said although this cancer is extremely rare, women may be wary of the risk and opt out of artificially enhanced breasts completely.
Last year there were more than 290,467 procedures of breast augmentation, an increase from 279,143 procedures in 2015, according to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons.
Practicality is also a large reason why women are opting out of their implants.
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Sharon Osbourne also had her breast size reduced in 2011. Pictured left in 2005 and right in 2017
Larger breasts can limit the movements of a person and the complication rate for implants increase with the size, Dr Rowe said.
He added larger breasts will eventually drop and after time may need a lift.
Health complications can include joint pain, rashes, swelling and in some cases implant rupturing and deflation.
Experts have linked the desire for larger breasts as a sign of insecurity. Even superstar Victoria Beckham said lacking confidence led her to get implants.
She went from a modest 34A while she was starting off with the Spice Girls to an overflowing 34DD down to a 34B before returning to a natural A cup.
In a letter she wrote to a younger version of herself, she expresses her regret over her cosmetic surgery.
She wrote: ‘I should probably say, don’t mess with your boobs.’
Women with breast implants are nearly three times as likely to commit suicide and to die from alcohol or drug use, according to research.
The findings reinforce previous studies which revealed women who undergo surgery to enlarge their breasts are at an increased risk of suicide.
Researchers said the higher rate could be because women who choose to have the surgery may already have psychiatric disorders, including low self-esteem or issues with body image.
For confidential support call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255.