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Is Breast Implant Reduction Too Risky?

asked 3 years ago by mariana in colmbia
Latest answer by Otto Joseph Placik, MD
Question viewed 2,394 times
Tags: 500-549cc, reduce, reduction, replacement, risk, too big

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. Is the procedure of downsizing an implant complicated or risky? I would probably do it in a couple of months.

24 answers to Is Breast Implant Reduction Too Risky?

Downsizing breast implants 3 months after surgery

The "risks" are small. The question is what is the correct decision about this. You must establish with your surgeon exactly what your goals are. Ideally, this should have been done prior to surgery. There are several considerations. First of all, 3 months is very early post-op to make a determination about size. Secondly, downsizing by 75cc is not that much. I find that when patients want to downsize, they need a significant size change to be happy-on the order of at least 150cc.... more

Tracy Pfeifer, MD
Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

drpfeifer.com

Downsizing breast implants

Decreasing the size of your implants from 500 to 425 should not be a problem. This is a relatively small size decrease and your skin should be able to contract and shrink to accommodate the new implant volume. I would wait around six months after your initial surgery to perform this downsizing procedure. In the long run, you will have less complications in general with smaller sized breast implants. Please see a board certified plastic surgeon to discuss your... more

William Bruno, MD
Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon

Downsizing your breast implants

Assuming that your current breast implants are soft (not encapsulated) and well positioned on the front of your chest, implant exchange should be technically straightforward. Discuss your aesthetic objectives with your PS before proceeding, to avoid disappointment and potentially more expense. Be sure that you have optimized your health as weight gain can layer fat and volume on your breasts. Good luck.

Lavinia Chong, MD
Orange County Plastic Surgeon

Breast implant reduction should be low risk

Hello, For the record, you are talking about an implant exchange and a small one relatively-speaking. You should be OK, but of course have your surgeon explain risks and benefits for your particular case. Most women in your situation would do well.

John P. Di Saia, MD
Orange Plastic Surgeon

Removing and replacing an implant

Revisionary breast surgery is very safe as long as you pick the right plastic surgeon. The procedure would be very similar to the original breast augmentation surgery and involve removing your current 500 high profile implants and replacing them with smaller (moderate profile) implants. Since you are only 3 months post-op surgery, you may want to wait a few more months to see the final result. Over time, your implants will become softer and settle into the pocket. Massage the breasts to... more

Tom J. Pousti, MD
San Diego Plastic Surgeon

Probably best to wait

You should wait at least 6-9 months before making any final determinations about downsizing your implants. You won't really know until then if this surgery is really necessary. Remember that any surgeries carry risks and expenses so it is best to keep them to a minimum if at all possible.

Richard P. Rand, MD, FACS
Seattle Plastic Surgeon

You should allow some time before changing your implants

You should give it some time before rushing in for another surgery. Of course, you can have another procedure and change your implant to a smaller size, but your body is still accomodating to having your implants placed. You may feel that you actually like your size in a few months. Although an implant exchange can be relatively 'easy', any surgery entails some risks and costs, of course. The other thing to consider is that the difference between a 500cc and 475cc high profile implant... more

Sanjay Grover MD
Orange County Plastic Surgeon

Implant size can be reduced safely

Mariana, If you are unhappy with the fuller implant you should easily be able to drop down a size to the 425cc implant that you suggested. This may be just enough to please you yet be only a modest reduction in size. The firm feeling may also be a consequence of the high profile implant. I know they are very popular where you live, yet the high profile contour is almost a round appearance which lack flow with the breast tissue, and give a look to the breast rather like, well, a breast... more

Peter E. Johnson, MD
Chicago Plastic Surgeon

www.peterejohnsonmd.com

If you downsize, you may need a breast lift

Mariana, In reference to your previous question, if you downsize the implant moderately, then you may actually have a more natural appearing breast. If you downsize significantly, then you may actually need a breast lift to accommodate for the extra skin. If you are just having an implant exchange, the surgery is usually straight-forward. I hope this is helpful.

David Shafer, MD
New York Plastic Surgeon

It is possible to downsize the size of your breast implants

It is possible to downsize the size of your bust and this is not normally a very involved procedure. It involves a surgeon reopening the old scar removing the old implant and replacing it with a smaller implant. The recovery is relatively quick following this procedure. Overall, 500 cc high profile implants will produce a quite dramatic appearance to the bust as a hope and you may wish to consider a lower profile implant if you would like a more natural look. I would advice... more

Adrian Richards, MD
London Plastic Surgeon

Changing not a problem!

Going from 500 to 425 cc is not a big problem. You mentioned that you wanted the width to be about the same, if that is the case, maybe a 425 middle profile implant may be more desirable.

Robert M. Freund, MD
New York Plastic Surgeon

Reducing size of breast implants

Undergoing a second operation to reduce the size of breast implants is possible, but entails many of the same risks as the original breast augmentation surgery. You may wish to wait for at least 6 months after the initial surgery before making a final decision as to whether or not to proceed with another.

Olivia Hutchinson, MD
New York Plastic Surgeon

3 months is early after surgery

You could certainly downsize if you like, but a second surgery is still a second surgery and has its risks. It's not to be taken lightly. Downsizing from a 500cc to a 425 cc implant isn't a huge change. It might make your bras fit a little differently, but it won't put you into a smaller bra size, most likely. Breast shape does tend to continue to soften over the first year after surgery, so you might consider giving it more time.

Carmen Kavali, MD
Atlanta Plastic Surgeon

Removal and Replacement

Mariana- 3 months is very early after surgery to be thinking about replacing the implants to a smaller size. Give you body some time to adjust and recover. I would recommend waiting 6 months to 1 year before making any decisions. Discuss with your surgeon at your post-operative visits your concerns. Your implants will continue to settle over time. Note that removal and replacement of breast implants is often more expensive than the original breast augmentation.

Joseph G. Bauer, MD
Alpharetta Plastic Surgeon

Breast reduction surgery after large breast implants

This can be a very dangerous combination. Although this surgery is possible is more collocated the normal as the implants have stretched your breast tissue. For such surgery, it is incredibly important to be evaluated only by a board-certified plastic surgeon with a great deal of experience in breast surgery. Your surgeon may recommend removal of the plants or changing the implants to a smaller size. Although your surgeon will likely try to incorporate the incisions used to... more

B. Pat Pazmino, MD
Miami Plastic Surgeon

Changing implant size is not difficult but better surgical planning can avoid this.

Resizing the implants is not particularly hard but it is, nonetheless, another operation. I think your idea of changing to a higher profile is a good one based on your description. I do think this should be a very carefully calculated decision. Reoperation, although fairly simple, is never a good thing. Be as certain as you can that the next set of results you can live with going forward.

Vincent N. Zubowicz, MD
Atlanta Plastic Surgeon

Breast reduction by downsizing an implant

If you have implants, and you are too big, you can make yourself smaller by going to a smaller implant. In your case, a 500 cc implant is a big one. Going to a 425 will help make you look smaller, though a 75 cc change is not a large one- likely about 1/2 a cup size. Downsizing an implant, if you are not droopy, is a simple procedure. It tends to not be painful, as everything was stretched out from the first surgery. The only issue with downsizing is if your skin is loose, a lower... more

Lauren Greenberg, MD
Palo Alto Plastic Surgeon

Getting smaller breast implants very good idea.

Hi No, it is not complicated or risky. Revision breast augmentation to put in smaller breast implants is a very good idea. Very large breast implants don't age well at all. So do it!

George J. Beraka, MD
Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Breast Implant exchange safety

Down sizing to a small implant may be complicated if your implant pocket is too large and you have poor skin elasticity. 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. I would recommend that you have a Board Certified... more

Daniel Reichner, MD
Newport Beach Plastic Surgeon

Breast Implant reduction is a relatively safe operation

With any surgical procedure, there are always potential risks and complications. Assuming that you are in excellent health, the medical risks are relatively low with the exchange of your existing mammary implants for smaller ones. It is important that you have detailed discussions with your plastic surgeon. Your goals and expectations of the surgery must be realistic. You must be willing to accept the concepts of “improvement versus perfection” and the potential need for... more

Stephen A. Goldstein, MD
Englewood Plastic Surgeon

It's not risky

A small reduction in implant size like you're considering is not risky. The recovery is very easy and the should be able to give you the look you desire. It's important though that you understand the changes you trying to accomplish because changing from a 500 to a 425 in high profile only minimially changes the projection and base diameter. Talk with your surgeon and ensure that if you go ahead with this change, you'll get the results you desire. Dr. Kaufman

David L. Kaufman, MD
Folsom Plastic Surgeon

Breast implant reduction is not risky

I think a 15% reduction in the size of the implant as you requested should not be terribly risky. However, as you have only had the implants in for 3 months, you may wish to wait a bit longer as I have seen people who initially thought a particular implant was too big, or too small, and after waiting decided that they were happy with the initial choice after all. Remeber that cosmetic surgery, is surgery, with all of the potential risks. It may simply not be worth it for a 15% reduction in... more

Darrick E. Antell, MD
Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Downsizing implants

From the amount you describe, this should be a straightforward procedure. Although all surgery carries risk, it is realtively low and the pain should be a fraction of the original procedure. With this modest size decrease, I don't think sagging (ptosis) is a concern but a slight descent of the nipples may be expected. see video

Otto Joseph Placik, MD
Chicago Plastic Surgeon

Downsizing Breast Implants

Downsizing breast implants by the volume you desire should not be a big deal. If you wanted a significant reduction in volume and you have some ptosis, you may have needed a breast lift.

Steven Wallach, MD
Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

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