I have Saline breast implants that are now ten years old. They were beautifully done and look natural, although the doctor went bigger than I had asked for: a full C instead of a full B. It was his aesthetic call, he said, and at the time, (and urged on by my then-boyfriend) I decided I'd live with them.
Ten years later, I am about ten pounds less and much leaner than back then (5'5", 112 lbs, very fit, 18.5% body fat) and the implants have sagged somewhat. When I see photos of myself, I feel my silhouette is out of proportion, and that I would look much better with slightly smaller breasts, as I had originally intended... and perhaps Silicone this time. To go for smaller, firmer, higher breasts after having larger saline implants, would I need a Breast Lift in addition in order to accomplish this? How are these procedures usually done?
Breast lifts and Breast implants accomplish complementary tasks. In a breast lift, the position of the breast and breast nipple is elevated. It does not add volume to the breast. In a breast augmentation, the volume and projection of the breast are elevated. Often, these two procedures are performed together to accomplish both tasks.
Almost certainly you will want to consider a lift at the same time as your replacement surgery with a smaller implant.
If the skin is already loose (droopy), this problem will only become more pronounced once a smaller implant is placed.
A board certified plastic surgeon can go over the options with you. You will certainly want to discuss where exactly the implants are (above/below the muscle) , what type of lift will give you the best appearance, whether a complete vs. partial capsulectomy is planned, drains, etc. If possible, you can make this easier if you obtain records from your first surgery, so you know the exact cc size of the first implants.
Every situation demands a customized solution. There are a multitude of factors that determine how your breasts look with implants:
Skin tightening can be achieved in various ways although if done to a significant degree usually requires a vertical incision between the areola and the inframammary fold. You should try to see if you are a candidate for a vertical lift instead of the inverted-T or anchor incision lift, which it sounds like you might possibly be. It all becomes an issue of compromise and trade-offs.
Contact the doctor
