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Will I Need Breast Lift with Implant Downsizing?

I had a breast augmentation over a year ago. I was an A cup, and got a moderate silicone 225cc. I'm very petite, so I didn't want to go that big. I still wanted to look kind of flat, but with little very little cleavage. So, I want to get smaller implants, but I don't want to get a breast lift. I'm only 26, and I'm hoping I won't need it. Will I need a breast lift? What implant size should I go for? Thanks.

Asked 35 months ago by dandoons in san diego, ca, u.sa

Needing a breast lift after implant removal.

Thanks for the question - This can be very difficult to answer. It depends on the laxity of your skin, the amount of ptosis (sag) you had prior to your breast augmentation and the position and shape of your implants. Many patients do need a lift after removal of implants but some patients with smaller implants (like yours) can get away without it. It also depends somewhat on the amount of sag you're willing to tolerate. Your best bet is to probably have the implants removed and wait 6... more

Steven H. Williams, MD

San Francisco Plastic Surgeon

ASPS

Downsizing May Require a Lift

For a relatively small change in volume, a lift may not be necessary. The factors: the amount of the reduction the degree of drooping you already have is the nipple below the height of the breast crease? is there a lot of breast below the height of the breast crease? the laxity (elasticity) of your skin and breast tissues Having a clear idea of the volume change you seek will help your surgeon help you decide if the surgery is... more

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Paul C. Zwiebel, MD

Denver Plastic Surgeon

ASAPS ASPS

Breast implants or Natural Breast enhancment with fat grafting

You certainly may look saggy after removing or downsizing an implant. However, a 225 cc implant can't be downsized that much. For instance, downsizing to a 150 cc implant is about the limit before they are too small to make a nice improvement. My suggestion is to remove the implants and consider a softer, more natural augmentation with fat grafing to the breast. My choice technique is to use the Viafill fat transfer system.

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Robert M. Freund, MD

New York Plastic Surgeon

ASPS

You probably do not need a lift.

Hi! 225 cc implants are not huge. So I don't think going smaller will create so much looseness that you will need a lift. You may be happy with 150 cc or 175 cc implants. Show your surgeon a picture of what you want to look like. Then I recommend using a disposable implant SIZER during surgery. That way, your surgeon can try different volumes and see which is the best size for you BEFORE opening the permanent implants. This takes the guess work out. A sizer costs only $45, so it is a... more

George J. Beraka, MD

Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

ASAPS ASPS

Breast lift not always necessary when having a large breast implant with a smaller one.

From your description, I doubt that you will need a breast lift with implant exchange. Your present implant is relatively small and removal, even without any replacement, will probable leave a normal appearing breast.

Vincent N. Zubowicz, MD

Atlanta Plastic Surgeon

ASAPS ASPS

Breast lift needed with a breast implant removal

Most of the time, downsizing of breast implants should be accompanied by a breast lift. In some cases, the breast lift can be short-scar, which minimizes scarring.

Raffy Karamanoukian, MD

Los Angeles Plastic Surgeon

Breast lift after implant downsizing

There are many factors that determine whether or not you will need a breast lift when exchanging larger implants for smaller ones. You should discuss your wishes with your plastic surgeon, and make sure you understand what options you have depending on your particular physical characteristics.

Olivia Hutchinson, MD

New York Plastic Surgeon

ASAPS

Breast lift with implant exchange

When you are exchanging a breast implant for a smaller size, the overlying skin and tissue of the breast may sag. To help this, a small breast lift may be necessary. The smaller the implant you ultimately choose, the more skin you will have remaining. Keep this in mind when selecting your implant. Your plastic surgeon should discuss these options with you and review the different breast implant techniques that may be necessary to have a smaller breast with a nice contour.... more

B. Pat Pazmino, MD

Miami Plastic Surgeon

ASAPS ASPS

Breast Implant downsizing

While you do not have a very large implant, if you want to downsize you may possibly need a lift. Since you are young there is a good chance youmay not need a lift, but without examining you, I couldn't know.

Steven Wallach, MD

Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

ASAPS ASPS

Implant downsizing and lifts

The predictors for needing a lift are: a) the volume of the implant; b) the plane of implantation (subpectoral or subglandular); c) the position of your nipple; d) the elasticity of your skin brassiere. Given your situation, I think that it is doubtful that you will require a lift when you downsize. With respect to the implant you should target, choose one whose base diameter is slightly more narrow than the one you currently have. good luck.

Lavinia Chong, MD

Orange County Plastic Surgeon

ASPS

Breast lift usually not needed with downsizing

The most important issue with downsizing is skin laxity and breast tissue laxity after implant removal. Most often, larger implant downsizing results in a smaller lift, but your situation is different. You will respond well with implant downsizing alone. Best wishes.

Khalique S. Zahir, MD

Mclean Plastic Surgeon

ASPS

It all depends on your tissue

It really depends on the quality of your tissue and the size change you are desiring. You may also be able to change to a small size, but a higher profile implant to compensate for the change. If you post pictures, we may be able to give you more specific advice. Good luck.

David Shafer, MD

New York Plastic Surgeon

ASPS

Likely no lift needed

As small a natural breast size you describe you will in all likelihood not need a breast lift with implant downsizing or even removal. As far as what implant size to go with - that is a more difficult question to answer. You already have an implant size that is considered on the smaller side. Going any further will depend on your expectations, your chest size diameter and also is breast augmentation something you really want still? These are the questions to discuss with your surgeon prior... more

Bahram Ghaderi, MD

Chicago Plastic Surgeon

ASAPS ASPS

Downsizing Breast Implants

I clearly understand your predicament and have had this scenario occur frequently. Typically, in the end, patients are generally satisfied with the size; rarely, do patients seek to downsize their implants. Given that this is your desire, you have chosen a relatively modest sized implant. I recently informally contacted the breast implant manufacturer and a representative told me that approximately 85% of implants chosen fall between 325-375. Given this, consideration and the conservative... more

Otto Joseph Placik, MD

Chicago Plastic Surgeon

ASAPS ASPS

I doubt you will need a lift

Lifts are done when the nipple and areola have drifted down to near, at, or below the crease below the breast. From your story, I doubt that this will be necessary from downsizing your already conservative implants a little bit. You probably have good enough elasticity that you will shrink well and not need a lift.

Richard P. Rand, MD, FACS

Seattle Plastic Surgeon

ASAPS ASPS

No way to know without exam....

Hi there- The answers to your questions will really depend on the amount and qualities of your tissues, and on how much smaller the new implant is... this, in turn, will depend (in a responsible approach) on your examination and the range of implants that might give you a pleasing result. In other words, it is very important to understand that not all implants are available to all patients- in order for it to look good, it is important that the implant still fit the dimensions of your body... more

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Armando Soto, MD

Orlando Plastic Surgeon

ASAPS ASPS

Doubt if you will need a lift...

Your surgeon should consider the width of your natural breast in determining what the most appropriate size would be. The volume is usually a by-product of the width measurement, not the end point. I do not know what manufacturer or model/style of impant you have so I cannot comment on absolute size but is sounds as if you should probably choose the flattest, least projecting style of implant that will fit within the dimensions of your normal breast. Having a 225cc. implant, there is no much... more

Robin T.W. Yuan, MD

Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon

ASPS

Depends on your soft tissue

The quality of your soft tissue will determine if a smaller device can be placed with a good result. If there is good skin tone, and it has no been too "stretched" with the current implants, you might tolerate using a smaller implant. There may be some "sagging" with this though. Uusually, a lift is required to remove the excess skin, so it can redrape around the smaller device. Your surgeon should be able to suggest maybe a lower profile device of similar width that may... more