Deflating Saline Implants to Avoid Surgery?

asked 3 years ago by pats in Houston, TX
Latest answer by Steven Wallach, MD
Question viewed 977 times
Tags: saline implants

20 years ago, I had saline breast implants. 4 Years ago, I had them replaced. And then 3 months ago, my left implant ruptured. I would like to have the right deflated to avoid surgery. I am satisfied with the way my left breast looks. Is this possible?

10 answers to Deflating Saline Implants to Avoid Surgery?

I would advise direct removal

Removing the implants would be my recommendation. It is a simple procedure, with little to no downtime. I suppose you could have them deflated with a needle, but many patients do not like the idea of a foreign body sitting inside them that is serving no purpose. The choice is yours, but I think removing the implants is the most conventional approach.

Shahram Salemy, MD
Seattle Plastic Surgeon

Deflating implants

Instead of deflating the other implant why not have both implants removed to avoid keeping a foreign body in the chest?

Steven Wallach, MD
Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

I won't do this.

To pats, Hi. Leaving damaged devices inside your breasts with no benefit makes no sense to me. Removing them is so safe and simple. This is not what I would do if you were someone I cared about.

George J. Beraka, MD
Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

It would be best to remove both breast implants

You are fortunate in that you now know what your breasts will look like without the implants. Most patients who are considering having their implants removed are concerned about how their breasts will look after the implants are taken out. Although it is unfortunate that your implant deflated, you now know what your breasts will look like if you remove both implants. I would recommend having both the implants removed in order to avoid any problems with the implants in the future. This... more

Susan E. Downey, MD
Los Angeles Plastic Surgeon

Remove the implants

You can deflate the implants but over time they will probably become hard and encapsulated. It is best to get them out when it is simple and not be faced with a more involved surgery if they encapsulate.

Marcus L. Peterson, MD
Saint George Plastic Surgeon

Possible, but not advisable

I have had patients who have had deflated inplants for long periods of time without treatment or consequence. The longest was 12 years, and she had health issues such as diabetes. This is not advisable however. I advise you to take care of the problem. You should have coverage through the inplant company. They will cover at least some of the expenses, and replace at least one of the inplants if you wish. Otherwise, you can easily have them removed, and I would advise having the capsule... more

Scott E. Kasden, MD
Dallas Plastic Surgeon

Yes and No

Yes it is possible to deflate the intact implant, but it is not recommended to leave the empty implant in place. You will have a foreign body and a potential space. Additionally, but percutaneously puncturing the implant, there is a small, but realistic chance of seeding the area with bacteria. Removing implants is much less traumatic than having them put in. It is a very quick procedure to remove the implants. Good luck.

David Shafer, MD
New York Plastic Surgeon

Yes it can be deflated

The empty implant envelope is harmless to you and if it doesn't feel too noticeable, it can just be left in until a time when you might want it out. It is simple to deflate the opposite implant with a few passes of an 18g needle. This is not the conventional way to do this but I have been asked to do this a couple of times. Formally removing the implants is very simple and can be done under straight local anesthesia with no recovery.

Richard P. Rand, MD, FACS
Seattle Plastic Surgeon

Posssible but not advisable

Deflating the implant is as easy as sticking a needle in the breast. However, then you have deflated implant shells in your body. Probably won't do any harm but I would have them removed at some point since they are doing you no good and there is a theoretical risk of secondary infection, however slight. All the best.

Talmage J. Raine, MD
Chicago Plastic Surgeon

Removing them should be very easy

Hello I would advise you to return to the plastic surgeon who did your surgery 4 years ago. Explain that you are happy with your deflated breast. Removing them under local anesthesia should be pretty straightforward and, usually, the surgeon will do it for minimal (if any cost). The only way to deflate them is to stick a needle in them and then you have the foreign body in both breasts. They may feel fine now but, over time, the shell of the implant may become more noticeable and even... more