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Breast Implant Exchange - Replacing Cohesive Gel Anatomical with Moderate Round Silicone

asked 3 years ago by sandyt123 in Toronto, Ontario
Latest answer by Tom J. Pousti, MD
Question viewed 10,017 times
Tags: exchange, replacement

I currently have the Natrelle style 410 cohesive gel, form stable implants. They are 280 grams, have a diameter of 12cm, and a projection of 4.4cms. They are too big for me as I wanted a B cup and am now a DD!

I should have looked more at the projection than the gram/cc amount when choosing an implant. I now realize that I'd like a much smaller projection and am looking to replace these Natrelle 410's with the Mentor Smooth Round Moderate Silicones - 225ccs. They have a diameter of 12.2 and a projection of 2.6cms.

So I am looking to replace form stable cohesive gel implants (level III) with Mentor Moderate Round implants (level I).

Will this small decrease of 55ccs/grams enable me to avoid a breast lift? Or would the larger projection of the 410's have already stretched me out too much? Also, will the cohesive level difference in the two be an issue?

Thanks in advance.

13 answers to Breast Implant Exchange - Replacing Cohesive Gel Anatomical with Moderate Round Silicone

The best result would be with a small mastopexy

The quick answer is that yes the skin will be stretched to the current implant size. When the smaller implants are placed the pocket will need to be reduced. And, if you want the home-run result a small periareolar mastopexy will likely be needed. With that said, and depending on your age and skin tone, the skin will contract some without the mastopexy. It just depends on what you are willing to accept. I think you will like the Mentor implants. They are very natural feeling and my... more

Christopher L. Hess, MD
Fairfax Plastic Surgeon

You probably can avoid a breast lift

The only way to have your breast the size and shape you are looking for it to do exactly what you have preposed. After looking at your photo it seems to me most probably you will be able to avoid a lift. Unfortunately, the only what to know for sure is to do the surgery and she what it is like at 6 months. I believe you will be happy if you take this approach and will do well with out the need for a lift. Good luck.

Carl W. "Rick" Lentz III, MD
Daytona Beach Plastic Surgeon

From Natrelle to Mentor

How long ago had you had your surgery? You appear early post-op in your photos: this may have a big impact on your concerns. The volume differences you describe don't seem to correlate with your questions/concerns. The size diffferences you are seeing with the implant size you have chosen seem disproportionate and the small difference in implant size you are anticipating would not make a cup size change. The differences you might see if you changed from Natrelle to Mentor... more

Paul C. Zwiebel, MD
Denver Plastic Surgeon

www.pzwiebel.com

Go ahead with your plan

Your surgeon should ideally have let you know what you would potentially look like with your current implants. With 225 moderate profile Mentor gels you will look much smaller and much more natural with no upper pole bulging that you currently have. While there is no way to know for sure, it doesn't look like you will need lifting.

Richard P. Rand, MD, FACS
Seattle Plastic Surgeon

Choosing your breast implant size

Communication with your surgeon is critical in achieving the results you wish. I find that this is best done with the use of pictures as opposed to trying to predetermine specific implant size or profile. The more breast surgery I do the more I realize that there is no correlation between the size or model (profile) of implant used 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... more

Tom J. Pousti, MD
San Diego Plastic Surgeon

Change to a smaller implant size will not require a breast lift.

Droppin down to the size you indicate should not create a problem that will require any breast reshaping. In my experience, both Natrelle and Mentor are similar quality implants. I offer both products to my patients. If I were you, however, if your breasts are soft and there is no other reason to operate, I would strongly reconsider the change in size. It is unwise to put an otherwise good result at risk by subjecting yourself to another operation. more

Vincent N. Zubowicz, MD
Atlanta Plastic Surgeon

Replacing cohesive gel anatomic implants with moderate round silicone implants.

When replacing an anatomic implants with rate with a moderate round silicone implants, patients should expect to see additional fullness and improve cleavage. Work closely with your plastic surgeon and review the differences in the dimensions of the implants. These differences may affect the position of the breast implants on your chest as well as the contour of your breast itself. To learn more about breast augmentation, see photos, and help you decide which one is best for you,... more

B. Pat Pazmino, MD
Miami Plastic Surgeon

Change from 410 silicone implants to round gel, will I get the desired result?

Hi Sandyt123. I have several thoughts. One, it appears that you are wearing tape on your scars, which indicates your surgery is fairly recent. In the early post-operative period the final result is not visualized. Second, it would good to know what style 410 you have; it looks like either the implant is too tall for your breast (is it a full height implant?) or that the pocket is not low enough. Third, I agree with previous comments that 280cc would not take you from a less than B cup... more

Tracy Pfeifer, MD
Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

drpfeifer.com

410's versus Mentor Silicone Breast Implants

I doubt that you will need a lift from the images I see. A 55 cc reduction is pretty small. Check with your surgeon regarding your desired goal size. On the feel of your new implants, it really depends upon the cohesiveness you desire. Mentor implants are all cohesive gel at this point. They should be a bit softer than the 410's you had. Best Regards.

John P. Di Saia, MD
Orange Plastic Surgeon

Exchanging Breast Implants

Cohesive gel implants of 280 cc's should not put you into a DD. With a small drop in volume they will definitely be less projecting for you, but the overall volume will not be that much different. So whatever cup size you are now, I would think that it will not change much.

Steven Wallach, MD
Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Breast augmentation surgeon more important than implant.

Hi. 1) It is not clear why your shape is not more natural (so much fullness on top) with 280 cc breast implants, which is not a huge size. 2) I don't think just going down a little in size will get you where you want to be. I cannot tell how from the one picture, but the implant pockets need to be modified. What your breasts look like has much more to do with how the surgery is done than with the implant. 3) You certainly do not need a breast lift.

George J. Beraka, MD
Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

There is no way you could have gone from a Pre-operative B cup to a DD cup with a 280 cc implant

I would suggest you discuss your issues with your implanting surgeon. It is impossible to go from a B cup to a DD cup with 280 cc, and I would assume that you could only have been a at most a B cup pre-operatively, as you said you only wanted to be a B cup after the implants. There is a significant amount of confusion in your question - best to write out EXACTLY what you want to be different about your breasts and take that to your consult. This will give you the best chance to avoid... more

W. Tracy Hankins, MD
Las Vegas Plastic Surgeon

Exchanging gummy bear for cohesive gel implants....

Thanks for your photo and story. In the US we are eagerly anticipating the release of the gummy bear gels, however your case illustrates the importance of matching the correct device with the patient's objectives. I've implanted 3 patients with these devices and have only a 66% satisfaction rate; both are unilateral breast cancer reconstruction patients. Just like you, my cosmetic patient feels that her breasts project too much and are stiff. With reference to your choice of Mentor... more