Breast Implant Size and Skin Tightening After Downsizing Surgery?

I'm petite, 5'2" 103 lbs, and 34 B entire life. I had surgery in Feb 2009 to get back the volume I lost. My breast implants are 350cc mentor mod plus. I feel very big and uncomfortable with my look and out of proportion. I'm VERY anxious to downsize. But to what? I feel the mod plus is very wide. But the narrower options have very high projections. I'm considering 275cc mod plus. I'm afraid 300cc won't be small enough. I hate to make another surgical mistake. My biggest concerns are how do I know what size to choose? Is the skin likely to tighten?

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breasts skin 5 ft 0 in to 5 ft 3 in 250-299cc 300-349cc 350-399cc 090-109 lbs B cup implant size

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12 Doctor Answers | Asked by bird16 in nj

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Downsizing Breast Implants-Does Skin Tighten After Surgery

Thank you for your question. The most important thing I can tell you is that most patients in my experience are happy after "downsizing" or removing breast implants. In time, usually 6 months to a year, in younger patients with healthy skin and no pre existent breast sag or ptosis, the breast skin does retract or tighten around the new smaller breast implant to a degree. I also agree with the other comment that a reduction of 100cc of breast implant volume is usually required for... more

Implant size when downsizing

Like all surgeons, I will say you need to be seen to make those types of decisions. Having said that, dropping to 275cc will make a noticeable difference. As far as skin recovery is concerned, it will depend on genetics and age, As long as the nipple is above the fold you will probably be happy.

Breast implant size?

The more breast surgery I do the more I realize that there is no correlation between the size of implant and resulting cup size. This may have to do with several factors including: the amount of breast volume the patient starts with, the shape of the patient's chest wall (concave or convex), the type and model of breast implant selected (saiine/silicone and low/moderate/high profile), bra manufacturer variance in cup sizes, the degree of filling... more

Implant size

Choosing the correct implants and especially for down sizing is something that is done in person during a physical exam.. As for the skin, again it would be hard to say.

Steven Wallach, MD

12 reviews

Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Breast Implant Sizing

It is very unfortunate that you will be undergoing another surgery in less than a year to resolve a problem that should not happen. Anyhow, I generally tell my patients that you need to decrease the size by about 100cc to really notice a difference. Now, it all depends on how your skin quality was before surgery. If you had loose skin and the surgeon was trying to fill the skin up, you may have loose hanging skin after the fact, or your nipple/areola complex may be a bit on the low... more

How to decide correct size implant when downsizing.

Hi Bird16. I am sorry you are having this problem. For the sake of people who may read this answer to your question, please be sure and try on sizes in the office to make sure you are comfortable with size and the surgeon should measure your breast and chest width to make sure he/she chooses an implant that is the right size for you. How to choose correct size now? What cup size did you want to be and what cup size are you now? This can be a guideline to help you. In general, I have... more

Downsizing implants.

I would tend to agree with your assessment. I don't think 300 cc implants would make a significant difference if you feel the 350 are too large. Decreasing down to 275cc is not a major size change (roughly 2.5 ounces). I believe your skin will contract down nicely to accomodate the new implant, given the relatively short time since they were placed .

Otto Joseph Placik, MD

32 reviews

Chicago Plastic Surgeon

Downsizing breast implants

While it is a good thing to be an informed patient and actively engaged in the sizing of breast implants, it is the surgeon's responsibility based on his/her expertise that determines final implant size. There is simply no way to answer your question without a physical exam. Downsizing may or may not require additional lifting procedures. There are many factors that determine this (i.e. skin quality, size of breast implant, submuscular vs. subglandular implant position). I recommend... more

Issues related to downsizing implants

Unfortunately there is no perfect method to predict in advance which size is going to be best in the long run. The problem with downsizing, as you have anticipated, relates to the skin being stretched and so it may need tightening. This would require a lift if that is the case. However, this isn't always needed, so your plastic surgeon should be able to give you some advice on that. The other question relates to implant dimensions. It really doesn't need to be too complicated. First pick... more

Pick a surgeon you trust and let your surgeon decide on the best breast implants.

Hi! 1) This is the most commonly asked question, and I don't understand why women feel it is their resposibility to select breast implants. Picking the right size and shape is really a technical, medical, aesthetic, somewhat complicated decision. Even experienced plastic surgeons can occasionally get it wrong. 2) Make sure your surgeon really understands the look you want. 350 cc's is obviously too big for you. 250 cc's may be right, and probably no bigger. Your surgeon should show... more

Downsizing your breast implants

First of all, there are moderate, moderate plus, and high profile implants. Each produce a different look and each comes in a wide selection of base diameters and therefore volumes. It isn't the moderate plus that looks "wide" but perhaps the wrong base width for you. The best looking result for you will be a moderate profile implant of the proper base width for your chest wall. Lifting would be indicated if you had loose skin and a downward displcement of the nipple.... more

Downsizing breast implant size

I suspect that if you fee that the 350 cc is too large and given the fact that they are moderate plus, going down only 50 cc may not make much of a difference, 75 cc will give you just the bit more that you may need to see the difference. If they had been high profile you would see a bigger difference with a 50 cc reduction. Unfortunately you can never be 100 % certain but given your frame and your desires for a smaller size the 275 shoul work well for you. The sooner you get this done the... more