Filling Saline Implants Without Changing Them? Doctor Answers, Tips

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Adding Volume to Saline Breast Implants

Adding more volume to saline implants can be done, but as you add volume ("overfill") the implants, the shape will change and the implant feels firmer. Adding volume to the implants is not a "simple exam room procedure." The maximum amount of volume that can be added is relatively little, before having to replace the implants with a larger size. If you really want to be larger, you probably will need to replace the implants.

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Saline implant adjustment without replacement is possible

If you happen to have postoperatively adjustable implants, there would be a valve just beneath the skin that could be accessed by your surgeon in the office to add or remove saline simply with a needle. Likely your implants are not the adjustable type, but the fill volume can still be adjusted. However, it requires a trip to the operating room to open up the incision and access the implant valve to make the desired adjustment. As long as there is no other problem noted with your implants... more

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Results may be so mild that you might want to consider a removal or replacement

Yes, your surgeon may overfill your saline implants to make you slightly larger..but you may not notice much of a difference in size. Also, I want to reiterate that you will need to undergo another surgery in order to fill your implants further--and that overfilling saline implants will make them feel firmer. I would suggest only undergoing another surgery if you'd like to make a significant change in your size (100cc-150cc's) at least. Thank you for your question, and best of luck!... more

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You can add saline to your breast implants, but results will be mild

As most others have said, it is possible to increase the volume of your saline implants "in situ," without removing them, but certain conditions need to exist. You needed to have a periareolar incision for original placement in order to easily access the port without removing the implant in the OR. You also need to know how much the implants were originally filled to and if there is any more room to add more fluid. Even if there is the maximum amount of volume that can be... more

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It can be done

Technically you are supposed to replace the implants with new ones but it is possible to add more fluid to a saline implant. This is limited by how much you can add without making them very hard and round, so if you want a significant change, new implants would be better.

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Volume change in existing implants

It is possible to refill recent breast implants without replacing them in some limited cases, depending on volume parameters set by the manufacturer. If the implants are old, I always advise replacement.

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Saline Implants

No...once saline implants are filled, the valves closed and the procedure completed, there is no way to "add" saline after the fact. Also, if you plan on reoperating, make sure you discuss the prosthesis warranty and its compromise if the implant is removed to be filled with your surgeon. They are designated by the manufacturer as "One Time Use" items.

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Filling saline implants more requires another operation

Once the saline implants are in, and you have healed from surgery, there is no way to fill them unless you have another surgery. There is a kind of saline implant which does allow the surgeon to fill it more after surgery. However, these implants have a port which sits on the side of the chest under the skin. It is filled up by injecting the port through the skin. These implants are rarely used.

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Consider how much larger you would like to be

Saline implantscan be filled with additional saline however, the size may not change very much. There are different sizes of implants that are only meant to be filled with a recommended range of saline. If you fill the implants beyond the recommended range, this can potentially alter the shape of the implant and negate the warranty if the implant ruptures. You may be better off having the implants replaced with larger ones to achieve the results you desire.

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Live with the size of your breast implants, or replace with larger implants

To CountryGirl87, Hi! First, putting more saline into the implants is another operation. I think that you think this can be done with a needle through the skin. It cannot. The manufacturer does not recommend this approach. With this approach, at best you can become only a little bit bigger. So, my advice is consider living with the size you have (smaller breasts age better) or just have the implants replaced with larger implants.

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Yes, but not the best option.

Yes, you can add more saline to your current implants; however, it is generally not advised. First of all, each saline implant has a certain fill range that is recommended for each sized implant. If you exceed the recommended volume by too much it will increase your chances for scalloping along the edges and will make your implant and breast much harder. Additionally, you may void your warranty on your implants as you are potentially damaging the one-way valve. Realize, surgery is not... more

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Yes, but it may not make you much larger

As I understand you had a breast augmentation with saline filled implants and now desire to be a larger size. This can be done up to a certain extent with your existing implants. It all depends upon how much saline was placed in the implant at the time of your original surgery. Nothing creates more anxiety than implant and breast size. 1. All of the saline filled implants have a specific fill volume range. for example a 325 cc Mentor Moderate Plus implant has a fill volume range of 325... more

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Short answer is yes but it depends on how big you want to be.

The short answer is yes, but it all depends on the filling volume that you already have. The company recommendation in general is to slightly over fill saline implant. This leaves you with a small margin (25-50cc) of augmentation. In my practice I know that a bigger size request means that at least 100 cc or more will be needed. Repeat surgery in general means repeat risk and i would only do it if there is a good benefit. Good Luck.

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Depends on the Size Change

if you want to be reasonably larger, adding volume will most likely NOT be beneficial. Adding volume makes the implant "larger" by making them project more, but narrows the base width. usually changing the devices to another size is better. If your implants are not filled to the maximum recommended volume, more can be added, but agin usually less than 50cc which may not make a substantial difference. Think of 50cc out of 350cc, not a big addition!

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Yes and No

You can add "some" saline to the implant, but it would require gaining access to the fill valve which likely is right behind your nipple/areola. With a peri-areolar incision, I have done it in the past. However, if you want to go up more than about 50cc, it may be preferable to step up to a new, larger implant. Check with your surgeon to see if there is room to add to the existing implant, but think twice before proceeding with another operation as it may simply not be worth it. more

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Yes, but give it time

It generally takes around 6 months for the breast implants to "settle in" and all the sweeling to go down to see the result. If, at that time, you feel you would like to be larger, your surgeon could potentially add more saline to your implants as a fairly minor procedure. The amount that may be added would depend on the implant fill range and how much saline is currently in them. Some degree (10%) or so of overfilling of the implant beyond its manufacturer -stated fill range is... more

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You need to do some homework for your answer

All saline implants come with a suggested range of fill volumes. Some surgeons regularly push the upper limit of the possible volumes while others stay at the lower end. The implant manufacturers will permit a little overfill but if too much is put in you can have your warranty voided. The homework is checking with your surgeon. You need to know the range of volumes for your size implants and the actual volume put in at the time of surgery. You can probably go about 10% above the... more

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Possible, but would not make a significant difference

The implant manufacturers do not recommend putting in more than 10% over the maximum volume listed. So, if your doctor put in 300cc implants and filled them to 300ccs, it would be possible to put at least 30ccs more in -- but that would not make an appreciable difference. I usually find that you need at least 100 to 150ccs more to make an appreciable difference. If you put a lot more than suggested, you tend to get rounder, misshapen implants and you may void the warantee.

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Yes, with limitations.

You can re-operate and using a fill tube adjust the volume of saline implants in either direction. However, there are limitations. It is best not to go below the recommended fill volume for the implant. On the high side you can overfill the implant; however, as the implant becomes larger, it becomes more spherical. As a rule I do not like to overfill more than 15%. In my experience, when a patient wants to go larger, it is necessary to go 70-100cc to make it worth an additional surgery.... more

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You can fill them more, but not enough to make a significant difference

Hello Country Girl, Implant manufacturers have recommended volumes for each size implant. An implant may have a recommended volume of 360 cc to 390 cc or from 350 cc to 400 cc, for example. From practical standpoint, hey can be over filled by a lot more than the recommended volume. However, if you go much beyond the recommended maximum, you risk an abnormal shape and feel (hard) and you risk voiding the manufacturer's warranty. When someone wishes that "they had gone bigger"... more

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Within certain limits

Hi there, Saline implants have a range of volumes to which they can be safely filled, and it is possible that your implants still have some upper end capacity- talk to your surgeon about the limits of the implants you have and whether filling them more would achieve your goals, or whether you really need new implants. Keep in mind that the more you fill a saline implant (particularly as you overfill them), the more firm the breast will feel. Conversely, the less filled they are, the higher... more

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Saline implant volumes are pre-determined

When you choose a saline implant the volume of saline permitted is pre-determined within a certain range. For example, a 300cc. implant would allow 300-325 or 330ccs. of saline. Under- or over-filling below or beyond these limits is discouraged because it might lead to increased risk of leakage/rupture or invalidation of your warranty. More practically, it is like a balloon filled to capacity: adding more saline/air doesn't make the implant/balloon that much larger. It only makes it firmer... more

Robin T.W. Yuan, MD

4 reviews

Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon

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Going bigger with saline implants

Saline implants are designed to be optimally full at a certain volume. There is a certain amount of "wiggle room" allowed by the manufacturer. However, that discretionary amount is usually very small. So it is usually better to change out the implant entirely. Overfilled implants can be more prone to rupturing, plus they may lose their definition if they are overinflated. Early after surgery, many patients go through phases where they feel their implants are too small. ... more

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Filling saline implants after surgery most likely requires another operation

Unless you have adjustable implants with the attached ports it would require another operation for you to increase the size of your implants. Even with another surgery your current implant can only be filled to a certain amount which you will likely not notice after it is done. Your two options are either to stay with your current implant or change the implant to a larger one. I would suggest discussing these two options with your surgeon

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Only to a limited amount

Implants have an ideal volume that cannot be significantly changed. Even if you added a little more saline you will not substantially change your breast size. In order to make a difference you need another size implant. You should go up at least two sizes ( i.e. greater than 60 cc's) Some regret for not going bigger is very common. Wait a while and give it some time to get used to your size. Ultimately an implant exchange is quite easy to perform and recover from. All the best in... more

Talmage J. Raine, MD

5 reviews

Chicago Plastic Surgeon

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