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How Long Do I Have to Wait to Downsize my Implants?

asked 3 years ago by zuelkea in fdl, wi. usa
Latest answer by Brian K. Brzowski, MD
Question viewed 1,297 times

My doctor told me 3 months because otherwise I could have significant bleeding. Is this true?

18 answers to How Long Do I Have to Wait to Downsize my Implants?

Allow yourself 3-6 months before downsizing implants

You can change your implants at any time; however, this may not be the wisest thing to do early on. Generally speaking, you should avoid reoperation in the first 3 months unless there is an emergency that is 'forcing' you to do so. Your breast will evolve over the first 3-4 months and you will start getting 'used to' your new breasts. You likely had a detailed conversation with your plastic surgeon prior to undergoing this procedure and jointly decided on the size you were going for.... more

Sanjay Grover MD
Orange County Plastic Surgeon

Down sizing your implants -wait for 6 months for initial swelling to resolve & look more natural

If you recently had the implants placed, and they are "fresh", it is best to wait for 6 months to permit the intial swelling to resolve. They will look much more natural at 6 months to 1 year. Often this involves, a slight drop in the breast implant postion to the lower part (inferior pole) of the breast. This causes less of an unnatural bulge in the upper (superior pole) of the breast, so the breast looks more natural and not like what I call in humor, "the Madonna... more

Christine A. Petti, MD
Torrance Plastic Surgeon

Be patient and wait three months before downsizing

Thanks for your question. I usually advice my patients to wait around three months before adjusting their implant sizes. This allows for maximum relaxation of the breast and chest wall tissue and maturation of the scar tissue. Be patient! I hope you find this helpful!

Stephen A. Goldstein, MD
Englewood Plastic Surgeon

Wait at least 3-6 months

Waiting a few months accomplished two things: first, it allows the tissue to settle down and the inflammation to resolve, which will reduce the risks of complications of your second procedure. Second, and perhaps just as important, during this time you may actually decide that you're happy with the size of your implants, as most of the swelling has resolved and the implants have settled into their final position. My advice-- take some time, be patient, and make sure you want them... more

Shahram Salemy, MD
Seattle Plastic Surgeon

Agree with 6 month window for implant downsizing

Around 90% of patients will be satisfied with their size choice, if they give themselves at least 6 months to grow accustomed to their new breast size after augmentation.

Brian K. Brzowski, MD
Salt Lake City Plastic Surgeon

www.brzowski.com

Wait 3 to 6 months

If you are not happy with your implants, the best advice is to wait three to six months before considering a revision. It takes this long for the swelling to resolve and the tissues to settle. It would be a shame to change out perfectly good implants too early just because they looked to big from the swelling or had not settled yet.

David Shafer, MD
New York Plastic Surgeon

Downsizing breast implants

Zuelkea, It is probably safe to down size your implants after 6 weeks. Your surgeon may want you to wait longer to see how you feel after ALL of your swelling has subsided and your implants have had a chance to settle a little. Your breasts may not feel as large at that point. Good luck!

Kenneth R. Francis, MD
Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

www.francisnyplasticsurgery.com

Best to give it a little time

There is no time limit as to when you can have your implants replaced. I usually recommend waiting 3-6 months, however, because the breasts will get smaller as the swelling goes down and as they settle. I also believe that the longer you wait the shock of the size also diminshes. You may just find you love them in a few months.

Robert M. Jensen, MD
Medford Plastic Surgeon

Live with them for 6 months.

Hi! In general, I am all for smaller implants. So many women go too large. Very large implants don't age well. BUT, I have certainly seen any number of women who thought they were too large initially and who loved their breasts several months later. So wait and be sure. It has nothing to do with bleeding.

George J. Beraka, MD
Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Changing implant size is relatively easy, but be sure you really want to make the change.

Changing implant size is very easy to do, especially if your incision is under the breast. Frequently there is some concern about picking the right size immediately after surgery. For peace of mind and to avoid a hasty decision, give the implants a chance to settle in and relax. After that it will be easier to decide on a change. All the best.

Talmage J. Raine, MD
Chicago Plastic Surgeon

Decreasing implant size

Typically it takes about 3-6 months for all the swelling to resolve and for the implant to settle and for you to adjust to your new look. It may be prudent to wait that long because you may not want to undergo the surgery. If you still feel that they are too large, the surgery should be safe to do at 3 months. Revision surgeries bear more risk - specially capsular contracture which can be difficult to treat. Make sure you discuss your risks and benefit before proceeding with the surgery for... more

Bahram Ghaderi, MD
Chicago Plastic Surgeon

Wait 3 months before downsizing implants

The reason we wait 3 months is that is how long it takes for the swelling to go away and the implants to settle. You may not want to change them when you see how they will look. If you do, then three months is a good time.

William B. Rosenblatt, MD
New York Plastic Surgeon

Wait at least 4 months before downsizing

I would recommend waiting about 4 months time to see how things shape. At that time your implants will have settled and in general most women feel that they should have gone a little bigger at that time. I don't know how far out you are from surgery but my suggestion is wait about 4 months and see. At that point if you still feel that they are too large, then it would be a safer option to go back in. Hope that helps.

Farbod Esmailian, MD
Orange County Plastic Surgeon

Wait 4-6 weeks before downsizing implants

It is good to wait for few weeks to make sure the swelling is gone and if this is really what you want to do. I would not wait too long, otherwise your breast tissues could get stretched, especially with a large implant.

Hisham Seify, MD, PhD
Los Angeles Plastic Surgeon

Consider downsizing implants after 3 months

The biologic answer is that after surgery, we experience a 4 days of inflammation, followed by six weeks of proliferation transitioning to a long term period of scar maturation. Generally, this process has stabilized by 3 months, and becomes a convenient time to re-operate. However, there are many other factors which can effect this decision. Obviously, if there is an emergent condition, we would re-operate at any time. Changes in shape as well as volume are likely to occur over the next 3... more

Otto Joseph Placik, MD
Chicago Plastic Surgeon

3 months is good

First of all, you may feel after 3 months that you actually don't want to change the size anymore. But if you still do, the inflammation in the tissues will be largely gone making the procedure safer and less bloody.

Richard P. Rand, MD, FACS
Seattle Plastic Surgeon

Allow your body to adjust from breast augmentation first

If you are not happy with the size of your implant, you do not need to wait from medical point of view. The reason for the delay in downsizing is to give your body time to adjust and let the swelling to resolve. Wait and let your doctor help you. Do not push your doctor to operate if he or she wants you to wait. If you had trust in him to operate on you, trust him on this issue and wait.

Kamran Khoobehi, MD
New Orleans Plastic Surgeon

Downsizing implants

I think it is best to wait 3-6 months after breast augmentation for all swelling and inflammation to resolve after surgery, before you consider downsizing. Going back in any early may be harder.