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Can I Get Implants After a Reduction That I Am Unhappy With?

asked 1 year ago by texas2623 in texas
Latest answer by David Bogue, MD
Question viewed 253 times
Tags: breasts, female

I had a breast lift/reduction & upper arm lift two weeks ago. I was told by my surgeon I would only lose about a cup size. I have gone from a 40DD to a 38B. He keeps telling me they will be full and round again when the swelling goes down in a month or so, but it just seems to me he took out too much. Are implants possible after a reduction? And what is a reasonable amount of time to heal up from reduction before getting implants?

12 answers to Can I Get Implants After a Reduction That I Am Unhappy With?

Implants after a reduction

It is certainly possible to have implants after a reduction, however you may be judging a bit too soon. A breast reduction often results in a significant change not only in breast volume, but in shape and position as well. As with any surgery, it will take time to adjust to the new size and shape to your breasts. Give yourself a good 6-12 months before making any type of decision. You may find that over time you really like your results.

David Bogue, MD
Boca Raton Plastic Surgeon

www.drbogue.com

Breast reduction overcorrection

It is certainly possible to place implants following a reduction. I would wait at least 6 months. Visit a few board certified plastic surgeons for opinions. If you are truly considering an augmentation, but sure to have your operative report in hand. The type of reduction you have had (inferior, superior, or medial pedicle) may affect the placement of implants. In short, the technique used for your prior procedure may influence the approach for your... more

Jason R. Hess, MD
San Diego Plastic Surgeon

Implants after More Reduction than Expected

Implants would be a reasonable solution if a breast reduction was aggressive. Another option would be fat injections of the breast. Visit with a couple of board certified plastic surgeons to discuss your options after a complete exam. Dr. ES

Earl Stephenson Jr., MD, DDS
Atlanta Plastic Surgeon

Implants After a Reduction That I Am Unhappy With

You need to heal for 4 months at least. Than you can have an implant done. It will not be insurance covered. Best of luck from MIAMI Dr. Darryl J. Blinski 305 598 0091

Darryl J. Blinski, MD
Miami Plastic Surgeon

Breast implants after a reduction

I would wait several months to reassess the situation when the swelling from your previous surgery dissipates.

Steven Wallach, MD
Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Breast implants after reduction

Unfortunately with women who have pendulous breasts the actual volume of breast tissue is generally less than that measured by ones cup size. So when a lift or a small reduction is performed it does not take removal of much breast tissue to have a significant effect on the post-operative cup size. If you are unhappy with the volume and size, certainly augmentation can be performed and I have performed this very procedure on other women who unfortunately have had overly aggressive reductions.... more

William F. DeLuca Jr, MD
Albany Plastic Surgeon

www.delucaplasticsurgery.com

Augmentation Can Be Performed after Reduction

It obviously is preferable to accomplish your desired result in a single operation. However, having not achieved the result for which you were looking, a secondary augmentation can be done. I agree that it would be best to wait 6 months in order to allow for maturation of your scars and a decrease in inflammation. It is very unlikely that you will see an increase in cup size with resolution of edema.

John Whitt, MD
Louisville Plastic Surgeon

Breast augmentation after a prior reduction

Fortunately second thoughts or regrets are uncommon after breast reduction, but implants can be placed to enhance the remaining volume, and especially to enhance the projection and upper fill in the reduced breast. After reduction is is best to wait at least six months to allow the breast to soften and settle in, and will also give you time to consider whether you wish the implants for the long term. Best of luck, peterejohnsonmd

Peter E. Johnson, MD
Chicago Plastic Surgeon

www.peterejohnsonmd.com

Implants after reduction

Yes, it is possible to get implants. Sometime patient plan to have a combination reduction-augmentation when all their breast tissue is in the wrong place for the shape they want. I would make sure your lifestyle (diet, activity, exercise, weight) is optimal then wait at least three months after your reduction.

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

Augmentation after breast reduction

Sounds absurd, but I've seen it before when the surgeon takes out more tissue than expected. Maybe it was an insurance requirement to satisfy their criteria. This should've been discussed prior to surgery, setting up the right expectations or making you part of the decision process. If you are a 38B now, after the swelling goes down you will be even smaller. Yes, you can have an augmentation, but I would wait at least 6 months. In my practice, if a woman has severly sagging... more

George Marosan, MD
Bellevue Plastic Surgeon

Breast implant augmentation after reduction

Yes, on three occasions, I have had the opportunity to place a breast implant after reduction (not my surgical procedure). Typically these went smoothly. I would advise a woman to wait at least 9 months after reduction to assess the final result prior to planning augmentation.

Otto Joseph Placik, MD
Chicago Plastic Surgeon

Implants after reduction is possible

It is possible to add implants in the future to give you larger breasts again. It's possible that you had a lot of skin filling your bra prior to surgery, and when it was removed and your breast tissue reshaped, you just don't have that much volume left. Do you know how much tissue your surgeon removed from each breast (it would be in his operative report and he should be able to tell you)? I would wait at least 6 months before having any additional breast... more