I am not as optimistic - 375cc is large

George J. Beraka, MD answers: Options for reducing breast implant size?

I had a breast lift and breast augmentation w/ 375cc implants. I was originally a saggy B but now (7 days post-op) I am mortified at how big they look. I feel like a porn star. My husband is freaking becuase of the money we've already spent but I just couldn't go through life like this. What options do I have? Can the current implants be "deflated" in some way?


George J. Beraka, MD
11 months ago

To Ell,

I am sorry to  offer a negative note. But , in my experience with women who have lost weight, large breasts may make you feel overweight again. And you do have large implants.

So here is my advice:  Try not to think about your breasts for several months.  They will feel smaller once they have been incorporated into your body image (when you have gotten used to them). And if you still feel too large, it is usually fairly simple to exchange the implants for smaller ones. Your surgeon would probably do this at a minimum cost to you. But I would wait at least 6 months. 

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A: Give the implants time to settle

David Shafer, MD
11 months ago

Ell,

I understand your concerns, but just 7 days after surgery, your breasts are likely still very swollen. Just give it some time - a few months - for all the swelling to resolve and the implants to settle. In most cases, patients actually wish that they chose larger implants. So, do not get too worried yet. If you do decide to have them changed out to a smaller size, the costs involved would be the operative time, the surgical fee and the new implants, so you are looking at a cost very similar to your initial operation. I hope that prior to your surgery you were able to be properly fitted with implants and had the opportunity to have all of your questions answered and concerns addressed.

David Shafer, MD
New York City

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A: Breast implants often look large early post-op

Steven Wallach, MD
8 months ago

I don't usually experience this with my patients. I think it is because of the long discussion and interaction with my patients to choose the right implants for them. We go over this in great detail. This being said, your implants may look quite large right now, but it is still early post-op and as the swelling subsides, the implants will look a bit smaller. In fact, often the opposite occurs. Some patients like how they look early post-op because of the swelling, and state months later that they wish they had gone larger.

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