Breast Implant Removal: Forum
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Worried about reducing breast implant size
By Angie Middleton on 08 Mar 2010
I had my breast augmentation in 2001. I was a B cup then and received 350cc's overfilled to 450 ~saleen under the muscle (to my sureprise they were this large!) I thought they were too big then and still do. I am thinking about having them altered once again. I am currently a double e cup and think a D would be more appropriate.
I am worried about scarring, excess skin and not having my chest where I would like it as my skin has really been stretched over the years. Should I be worried about this? Thank you!
View 16 doctor answers to Risks and Side Effects of Downsizing Breast Implants
Had breast augmentation 10 months ago - saline, inframammary incision, submuscular. Had augmentation with the intention to increase from small-B to medium -C, not improve sagginess. Now want to decrease from 405cc's to 250cc's. 26 years old, no pregnancies, no breast feeding. Taking into acocunt skin and muscle elasticity, as well as the fact that they've only been in 10 months, what are the chances this could be a simple exchange with no lift required? Is 6 weeks enough time for the swelling to go down?
I have saline round smooth under the muscle implants that are 325cc. I am pretty small framed and would like to go smaller in case of a leakage (had them for 8 years). What are the risks of going smaller (maybe 280 CC)? Will the pocket be too big and increase the risks of CC? Will healing in the same incision take longer etc? Thanks
Hi 8 Years Saline,
After reading doctor responses to Risks and side effects of downsizing breast implants and Can implant exchange increase capsular contracture risk? here's what I've found:
Reducing your implant size only 45cc likely would not produce a noticeable difference and would not require your pocket to be resized. However, if your pocket does not naturally adjust to the smaller implant, your surgeon would be able to reduce the pocket size during the revision surgery. A couple of doctors specifically noted that they would use permanent/internal sutures to do this if necessary.
Typically, if you didn't experience capsular contracture the first time around and you plan to keep your implants in the same pocket under the muscle, it is unlikely that revision surgery would increase your capsular contracture risk. But as with any breast augmentation surgery, there is never a guarantee capsular contracture won't occur.
Since you've had your implants for several years, tissue atrophy, expansion and loss of skin elasticity may have occurred. If this is the case, your surgeon may suggest a breast lift in addition to implant revision surgery to decrease or prevent sagging.
Additionally, most doctors who answered How is recovery from revision different from initial breast augmentation? agreed that recovery after breast augmentation revision is usually shorter and less painful than the initial breast augmentation surgery, but a lot depends on what exactly is done during your revision surgery.
After conducting a complete physical exam, your surgeon should be able to tell you exactly what needs to be done in your specific case and what you can expect during recovery.
I hope this helps!
April