A few years ago boob jobs were booming, with twice as many women having enlargements compared with those having implants removed.
Experts believe the reduction in enlargement operations is down to an NHS clampdown on the procedures.
Surgery is now only being granted to those with significantly misshapen breasts or to women who can prove they are suffering serious psychological effects.
The number of removals has surged partly because the fashion for enormous false breasts has declined.
The scandal over French PIP silicone - where hundreds of women had potentially dangerous implants taken out - also had an effect.
Last year 1,602 women were admitted to hospital for breast implant removal compared with 390 wanting enlargement.
Twelve years ago 633 women went in to have implants out, while 1,778 were admitted for boob boosts.
Taxpayer-funded cosmetic surgery became a political issue in 2013 when it was revealed would-be model Josie Cunningham had a £5,000 boob job on the NHS to go from 32A to 36DD.
Six months later she wanted them reduced, saying they were so big they were preventing her from getting modelling jobs.
Celebrities such as Katie Price, who had enlargements that made her a 32GG, and Victoria Beckham who had a boob job to swell her bust to 34DD, have both undergone reduction procedures in recent years.
Gary Ross, a plastic surgeon in Manchester, said: "There are more removals done in the NHS, mainly due to faulty PIP implants, and women going abroad for surgery who then have problems later."
Gross stuff