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Risks and Side Effects of Downsizing Breast Implants

asked 3 years ago by mariana in colmbia
Latest answer by Paul C. Zwiebel, MD
Question viewed 8,987 times
Tags: breasts

I had 500 grams silicone high profile implants place about 3 months ago. They feel a little too big and firm. I would like to downgrade them to maybe 425, maybe same projection but lesser diameter, since my ribcage is rather small. I am not necessarily looking for a conservative look; I just don't want to look too big.

I'm also concerned, can reducing the breast implants damage tissues or result in a large area of stretched out skin? What are the side effects or risks to doing this? I would probably do it in a couple of months.

18 answers to Risks and Side Effects of Downsizing Breast Implants

Downsizing a breast augmentation

Reducing the size of your implant by less than one hundred cc's seems reasonable. It is possible that you may need a small nip/tuck to reduce some skin excess and laxity.

Raffy Karamanoukian, MD
Los Angeles Plastic Surgeon

You can exchange breast implants now with little damage

Since your implant was inserted only 3 months ago, it is possible to change to a smaller implant with little effect on the skin and breast tissue. Hope that helps!

Hisham Seify, MD, PhD
Los Angeles Plastic Surgeon

High profile is the narrowest to start

Reducing your implants by 75 cm will do little to create a sag. And you are correct that moving from 500 to 425 in the Natrelle line will not change the projection, only the width.

Robert M. Freund, MD
New York Plastic Surgeon

Reducing the size of breast implants is usually not a problem

Mariana, Reducing breast implant size from 500 cc to 425 cc should not cause a problem. The breast envelope should re adjust naturally to the smaller implant. With the size difference you mention I think any stretch mark or skin thinning would be very unlikely. The skin should tighten naturally around the new implant. I would also suspect that the breast will look more natural with the smaller implant.

Brooke R. Seckel, MD
Boston Plastic Surgeon

Loose skin from downsizing or removing implants

This depends on several factors: Your age The prior condition of your breasts Assuming no weight gain/loss in interim Hormonal factors Skin Elasticity Tobacco use Submuscular vs Subglandular placement Textured vs smooth surface Without being aware of these factors, as well as other issues, It is very difficult to predict what the shape of your breast will be or the condition of the skin envelope when you downsize. With that being said, downsizing from 500 to 425 with a different profile... more

Otto Joseph Placik, MD
Chicago Plastic Surgeon

Reducing Size of Implants Not Risky

The relatively small volume change you are considering will not likely create any problems for you. When you visit your surgeon and discuss your concerns, he/she can show you that there is just a few millimeters of difference in dimensions between the sizes you are considering..

Paul C. Zwiebel, MD
Denver Plastic Surgeon

Reducing breast implant size is risks and benefits

The amount of difference in the volume other breast implants you mentioned is very small only 75cc, less than 3 ounces, so I don't feel that this implant exchange is likely to help you with your concerns. Also, you concerns regarding the width are unlikely to be helped unless the breast implant that you have now is significantly wider than the one you thinking of removing. So, the risks seem to outweigh the benefits. You need to have a thorough discussion with your... more

Fredrick A. Valauri, MD
New York Plastic Surgeon

www.drvalauri.com

Downsizing risks and complications

Mariana, reducing your volume 75cc but keeping in the same "profile" and plane, will probably not cause problems with skin laxity and excess. With regards to an overly enlarged pocket, I doubt that you will require modification of the pocket to reduce the space. What is of concern is your description of the implants as "firm". While firmness may be a consequence of how recently you have been implanted, do remember that the risk of capsular... more

Lavinia Chong, MD
Orange County Plastic Surgeon

Breast Implant Exchange

Actually the sooner you do the exchange the better as the tissue will retract back. However, 75 cc reduction is not a big change and I am not sure if you would see a big difference. In general, when I discuss this with patient, I always explain to them that if you are going bigger or smaller, in general you should go at least 100cc to see a noticeable difference. Hope that helps.

Farbod Esmailian, MD
Orange County Plastic Surgeon

Don't think a 75 cc downgrade would change that much

Decreasing your implant size by 75 cc will make you a little smaller but not do much else. I think your concern about stretched skin and stretch marks is understandable but I am not overly concerned about either problem, especially with only a 75 cc decrease.

Talmage J. Raine, MD
Chicago Plastic Surgeon

Smaller implants will not lead to tissue damage

To mariana, I hardly ever use 500cc implants. They are too big for most women and they look worse as you get older. Try 400 cc. You will still be nice and full. The implant pocket can be made smaller during the revision. I would not worry about stretched skin, because the skin usually contracts snugly.

George J. Beraka, MD
Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Breast Implant Exchange

The type of surgery you will need will depend on the elasticity of your skin and breast tissue and the implant pocket size. When exchanging to a much smaller implant, I find that the implant pocket does not shrink adequately to accommodate the new implant. I will adjust the pocket size with permanent sutures so that the implant is properly positioned. If the breast skin has poor elasticity, a breast lift (mastopexy) may also be required.

Daniel Reichner, MD
Newport Beach Plastic Surgeon

Tissue damage from implant exchange

I am assuming that in your question you are not referring to a formal beast reduction but you mean breat implant size reduction. Going to a slightly smaller implant will probably not make your breast significantly saggy, but without examining you I could not give you a definitive answer.

Steven Wallach, MD
Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

It's all about age and skin quality

Mariana, I'm assuming that by "breast reduction", you are referring to the downsizing of your implants. The placement of the 500cc implants has indeed resulted in some stretching of your tissues to accommodate the volume increase. Downsizing to 425cc may or may not result in some sagging or ptosis of your breasts. It is dependent on many factors, including your skin quality, age, sun exposure, how long your 500cc implants are in place, and whether you smoke or not. I would suggest... more

Kenneth R. Francis, MD
Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Downsizing probably causing tissue damamge

Going down from 500 to 425cc is probably not too extreme that it would cause sagging but each patient's tissue characteristics are different. If you already have high profile implants, you probably can't get the same projection with a narrower base diameter since reducing the volume usually means reducing the projection as well as the diameter. If you have a mid or moderate profile implants, then presumably you could reduce diameter but increase or maintain projection by going to a high... more

Robin T.W. Yuan, MD
Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon

The larger implants are causing the stretching

Hello, An implant exchange for smaller implants may result in the appearance of loose skin but this is from the stretching from the larger implants, not the additional surgery. Usually, the smaller implants just take a lower position on the chest or there is lesser upper pole fullness. These cases vary.

John P. Di Saia, MD
Orange Plastic Surgeon

You should be fine with a small reduction in implant size

Mariana, You should be fine with a small reduction in the size of your implant. Especially if you have too much projection or fullness now, the smaller size may help you look more natural. If you reduce the size too much, then you will develop breast ptosis or drooping. If this is the case, then you may need a breast lift at the same time. I hope this is helpful.

David Shafer, MD
New York Plastic Surgeon

www.ShaferPlasticSurgery.com

Reduction in size of breast implants

If you have definitely decided to go with a smaller size, the sooner the better. Otherwise, large implants will stretch the skin for the duration that they are in. Thinning of the skin also occurs over time. It is possible the breasts will appear slightly more droopy if you go with a smaller size because the skin will be the same, but there will be less volume in the skin. The longer you wait, the more looseness will happen. You should be sure of your decision to go smaller, because all... more