Recently, Sherlyn Chopra spoke openly about removing her breast implants. Her reasons were not cosmetic dissatisfaction—but physical suffering. She described chronic back pain, persistent neck spasms, fatigue, and even what she called “brain fog.” Her implants, in her own words, felt like excess baggage.
As a plastic surgeon, cases like this are not shocking—but they are deeply instructive. They highlight a mistake I see far too often: choosing implants that are too large for the body’s natural framework.
This is not about judgement or aesthetics. This is about biomechanics, long-term health, and informed decision-making. And it’s exactly why choosing the Best plastic surgeon in Mumbai matters—not for glamour, but for safety and longevity.
What Really Went Wrong? A Medical Perspective
Sherlyn Chopra’s experience is a classic example of implant-induced gigantomastia—a condition where breast volume (often exceeding 500–600cc implants) overwhelms the skeletal and muscular support system of the body.
When implants exceed what the chest wall, skin, and spine can safely support, the body starts paying the price.
The Lever Effect: Why Big Implants Hurt the Back and Neck?
Large implants act like a constant forward pull on the chest.
This creates what we call the lever effect. The weight of the breasts pulls the upper body forward, forcing the neck, shoulder, and back muscles to remain continuously contracted just to maintain posture. Over time, this leads to chronic pain, muscle spasms, and postural fatigue.
This is not a temporary issue—it worsens with time.
Tissue Thinning: When Skin Can’t Keep Up?
Oversized implants stretch the skin envelope beyond its natural capacity. As the skin thins, patients may start feeling implant edges, rippling, or unnatural movement.
This thinning also compromises long-term results. Even if the breasts look impressive initially, the skin simply cannot sustain that load over years.
This is one of the most common reasons patients eventually seek implant removal or downsizing.
Gravity Always Wins—Faster with Bigger Implants
Gravity affects everyone—but it acts faster on heavier implants.
Large implants sag earlier, pull the nipple downward, and often require revision surgery sooner than expected. What looks dramatic in the first year can look exhausted within a few years.
Longevity is not about size. It’s about proportion.
Dr. Barve’s Rule: Tissue Compliance Comes First
In my practice, I follow a strict principle—the body decides the limit, not trends.
During consultation, I assess tissue compliance—how much weight your skin, chest width, and internal support can safely carry. If an implant size exceeds what your anatomy can support, I will not operate.
Why?
Because I want you to be happy in 10 years, not just for 10 months.
This philosophy often surprises patients—but it protects them.
Why Chasing Cup Size Is the Biggest Mistake?
Cup sizes are not medical measurements. They vary by brand, bra type, and body shape.
When patients chase a cup size instead of proportion, they often end up uncomfortable, unhappy, or facing revision surgery. The goal of breast augmentation is balance—not burden.
This is why Oversized breast implants risks must be discussed honestly before surgery.
What Women Can Learn from the Sherlyn Chopra Case?
Sherlyn Chopra’s honesty has helped normalise an important conversation: bigger is not always better.
Her experience reminds us that cosmetic surgery should improve quality of life—not compromise it. Pain, discomfort, and long-term health issues are not acceptable trade-offs for size.
About Dr. Devayani Barve
Dr. Devayani Barve is an internationally trained Plastic, Aesthetic, and Reconstructive Surgeon based in Mumbai. Guided by the belief that “Everyone should look and feel their best; don’t let your imperfections weigh you down…”, her approach to breast surgery is rooted in safety, proportion, and long-term comfort.
She completed her MBBS and MS in General Surgery from the prestigious KEM Hospital, Mumbai, followed by a super-specialty M.Ch in Plastic Surgery from PGIMER, Chandigarh. Her advanced international training includes aesthetic and breast surgery fellowships in Miami, USA, along with recognition as an ASAPS International Aesthetic Fellow.
With experience as an Assistant Professor at Christian Medical College, Vellore, and multiple peer-reviewed publications, Dr. Barve is known for her ethical, patient-first philosophy—where refusing unsafe choices is considered part of good surgery.
If you want to understand aesthetic decision-making and long-term outcomes in detail, I regularly share educational, patient-centric content online.
🎥 Watch my breakdown of aesthetic procedures on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/@DrDevayaniBarve
📸 See real patient journeys on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/doctorbarve/?hl=en
Patient Experiences
Women Who Chose Proportion Over Pressure
- Radhika S. – “I wanted bigger, but I’m grateful my doctor explained the risks honestly.”
- Neha K. – “My comfort mattered more than cup size, and that made all the difference.”
- Pooja M. – “I feel lighter—physically and mentally.”
- Ananya R. – “I was saved from a decision I would have regretted.”
- Sneha D. – “Natural and comfortable was the right choice for me.”
Frequently Asked Questions
Are very large implants always unsafe?
They can be unsafe if they exceed what your body frame can support.
Can oversized implants cause long-term pain?
Yes. Chronic back, neck, and shoulder pain is common.
Is implant removal common?
Yes, especially in cases of discomfort or poor initial size selection.
How do surgeons decide the maximum safe size?
By evaluating chest width, tissue thickness, and musculoskeletal support.
Is smaller size always better?
No. The right size is the one your body can carry comfortably.
Sherlyn Chopra’s story is not about regret—it’s about awareness.
Breast augmentation should enhance your life, not weigh it down. The smartest decision is not the biggest implant—but the safest, most proportionate one.