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Can I Increase the Size of my Existing Saline Breast Implants?

asked 3 years ago by darinedahu in 48127
Latest answer by Kris M. Reddy, MD, FACS
Question viewed 8,371 times
Tags: saline implants, 5 years post-op, post-pregnancy, size

I have had Saline implants for about 4 to 5 years now. I had a baby about 3 months ago. I dont know why but it feels like my breasts have gotten smaller. I did breast feed for about 2 weeks only and I really dont know what is going on. Also my weight is still the same as it was before I got pregnant. I want to make my breasts bigger but I just dont want to go under again at least not now. Is it possible to just add more saline to my exisisting implants?

32 answers to Can I Increase the Size of my Existing Saline Breast Implants?

+1

It is possible but unlikely

Do you know the size of your present implants and how much volume that they have? Sometimes we can add a little more to saline implants and not void the warrantee. It is unlikely but possible. The sure thing is to ecxchange with a larger silicone or saline implant. This can be done under local anesthesia. Good luck g
Grant Stevens, MD

Los Angeles Plastic Surgeon

marinaplasticsurgery.com

+4

You will need to change your implants

Unfortunately there is no other option but to replace your current implants with larger implants. Adding saline to current implants is not recommeneded.  Kao Plastic Surgery
Chia Chi Kao, MD

Los Angeles Plastic Surgeon
+3

Unfortunately, you will have to get new breast implants

The volume of saline implants is adjustable during surgery. Now that you have had the implants in place, you would need to undergo another procedure to replace the implants if you want another size. While there is a valve on the implants, it is not standard of care to re-open the valve and add more saline. Additionally, to access the implants, you would need to undergo a procedure. It would be dangerous and virtually impossible to try and change the volume of the existing implants without... more
David Shafer, MD

New York Plastic Surgeon
+2

Can you add more volume to existing saline implants

Saline breast implants have a certain "fill" volume set forth by the manufacturer.  You can overfill slightly but if you are interested in having a noticeable difference in your bra or breast size, you will likely need to have your implants completely removed and replaced with new, larger implants. Do not allow a surgeon to inject too much more saline into your existing implants as this may lead to a premature rupture. Your natural breast tissue has likely atrophied... more
William Bruno, MD

Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon
+2

Adding Volume to Old Implants? Don't Do It!

Congratulations on the new baby! First: it is important you wait at least 3 months after pregnancy or after you stop nursing to allow your breast to recover, before any surgery. Then, consult your plastic surgeon to see if more volume will achieve your goals; after pregnancy, sagging may also warrant a lift for proper treatment. Lastly, adding volume to an old implant may create problems: it still requires a trip to the operating room, and you will be best served by replacing... more
Paul C. Zwiebel, MD

Denver Plastic Surgeon
+2

Breast implants and going larger

Usually, breast implants have a range of what they can be filled to. Depending on the type of implant used and company, that can range. But in general you will not get a significant enlargement just by filling up your implants. Most patients will need to change out the implants to larger ones to achieve the desired affect. Hope that helps.
Farbod Esmailian, MD

Orange County Plastic Surgeon
+2

Breast Augmentation After Pregnancy

While I agree with what the other plastic surgeons have said here, there are some important issues to discuss. Breast volume post-partum can change significantly. In addition, the skin on your breasts may undergo significant change. It is important to give your breasts a chance to recover after your pregnancy and breast feeding. Typically, patients should wait 6 months to one year to see the final shape of your breasts. Patience will significantly improve the chance of you being able to... more
Steven H. Williams, MD

San Francisco Plastic Surgeon
+2

Not usually.

Hello, If you are looking for much of a change in size, new saline implants are usually required. Fill tolerance for your current saline implants can't be much more than 25-75cc which doesn't amount to much of a change in cup size. Re-filling the implants can also void their warranty. Best Regards, John Di Saia MD
John P. Di Saia, MD

Orange Plastic Surgeon
+2

You may be able to add saline depending on your implant type

The process of breast atrophy or shrinkage after pregnancy can be worsened by breast feeding, but doesn't necessarily require breast feeding, so don't beat yourself up over having breast fed for 2 weeks. It is mostly hormonally determined. If your implants are purely saline, then you will not be able to increase their size without having surgery to replace them. Four or five years ago an implant type called a "Becker" or "post-operatively adjustable" implant was... more
Kenneth R. Francis, MD

Manhattan Plastic Surgeon
+2

Increasing the size of your saline implants

I won't rehash what has been said already, except to say that I agree -- the only way to get a meaningful size increase is to put in new, larger saline implants. However, since you already have a pocket for the implant, the second operation should be much easier than the first operation. David Berman MD, northern VA plastic surgeon
David E. Berman, MD

Sterling Plastic Surgeon
+2

Can you increase the size of your implants? Not without surgery

The only way to increase your breast size will be to change your implants to new ones. Adding fluid to your current implants is frowned upon and really doesn't make as much difference as you probably will need. Also, overfilling your present implants to an extreme degree just makes them feel hard and look very round and tight. I have often used post-operatively adjustable saline implants and these have a small valve under the skin which can allow for the addition or subtraction of fluid for... more
Richard P. Rand, MD, FACS

Seattle Plastic Surgeon

www.randcosmeticsurgery.com

+1

Increase the Size of Existing Saline Breast Implants

Congratulations on your new baby. The optimal choice would be to perform an implant exchange and move to a larger breast implant. Adding salne to existing implants is generally not recommended.
Kris M. Reddy, MD, FACS

West Palm Beach Plastic Surgeon
+1

Adding more volume to saline breast implants

If you had your surgery in the United States, you should have a lifetime warranty on your implants for deflation. If you later add more volume to your implants, it will not only require a new procedure to do this, but it will void the lifetime warranty if you have a deflation later.
Leonard T. Yu, MD

Kahului Plastic Surgeon
+1

Could a saline implant be overfilled?

Your body has formed a capsular pocket with a well formed limiting capsule surrounding the breast implants. The capsules will not allow the saline implants to be effctively overfilled. What would need to be done would to perform a full capsulectomy with the replacement of the implant with a larger implant Good luck to you. Frank Rieger M.D. Tampa Plastic Surgeon
Francis (Frank) William Rieger, MD

Tampa Plastic Surgeon
+1

Adjusting saline implants

Yes, it is possible. It is not recommended for three reasons: finding the valve is difficult; the implant may be damaged and rupture. adding more saline through the port may increase the risk of infection exceeding the recommended fill volume of the implant may increase the risk of rupture and look unnatural. But you do not need to "go under" to change smooth saline implants. Ask your surgeon is he/she can do this for you. I have often done this for... more
Elizabeth Morgan, MD, PhD

Atlanta Plastic Surgeon
+1

Adding saline to existing implants

Yes you can but it is a minor surgery and most patients are sedated for it. All implant shells are designed for a given fill range. When filled to more than the design size they become very spherical and hard, plus it voids the warranty. but some patients don't mind round firm breasts and don't care about voiding the warranty. Cost is $3400 at my practice. Dr Foster
Lawrence Foster, MD

Sacramento Plastic Surgeon
+1

Increasing Breast Implant size

Unfortunately, implants come in set sizes and if you desire a larger size, the implants need to be replaced. I would wait until you have finished with child bearing and breast feeding. You will then have a good idea what your breast shape and size will be long term. This will allow you to pick the best possible new size for you.
David Finkle, MD

Omaha Plastic Surgeon
+1

Saline implants, adding volume

It is not usually possible to increase saline implants once in the body. Once saline breast implants are placed, a re-operation to exchange the implant for a larger size is the only option. The opening in the saline implant that allows filling during surgery is simply too small to allow any adjustment after the fact.
Donna Rich, MD

Houston Plastic Surgeon
+1

Adding more cc's to existing implants

I agree with the others in stating that you should remove and replace the implants with new larger ones if you are wishing for a larger look. I also agree that you should wait until your body / breasts recover from pregnancy, etc. (minimum 6 months) before considering any type of surgery.
Tom J. Pousti, MD

San Diego Plastic Surgeon

www.poustiplasticsurgery.com

+1

Adding volume to OLD saline implants - don't do it!

As metioned before, the allowable fill range for saline implants is relatively narrow, such that just adding volume within the acceptable range would not make an appreciable difference with your breast volume.  If someone overfilled the implants, they would likely burst shortly thereafter.  Surgical manipulation of old implants is moderatly traumatic (not the normal stresses that an implant sees after implantation), so even if you stayed within the accepted fill range, you... more
Michael A. Bogdan, MD

Dallas Plastic Surgeon
+1

Saline implants don't really allow for postoperative size changes

The appropriate fill-range for saline implants doesn't allow for much change after surgery: maybe 30-50 cc, maximum.  Not enough to really notice.  If you really want bigger breasts, you will need new implants.  Give your post-baby breasts more time to finish changing, though--you may be happy with them when it's all said and done.  Or you may find that you need a lift, more than a bigger implant.  Wait a few months, then see your plastic surgeon for... more
Carmen Kavali, MD

Atlanta Plastic Surgeon
+1

Pregnancy affects the appearance of your breasts.

Pregnancy affects the appearance of your breasts even if you only breast feed for a short time and your weight is the same etc.  The changes in your hormones during pregnancy cause the breasts to become more glandular and after the hormone surges are over the glands begin to shrink and this can cause your breasts to change. Yes, you can add more saline to your implants (to a small degree), but this also requires another "surgery".  If you really want your breasts... more
Richard H. Fryer, MD

Salt Lake City Plastic Surgeon
+1

Saline implants and size after pregnancy

The size changes you noted recently have to do with your pregnancy. During the latter stages of pregnancy, your breasts gradually enlarged as the breast glands began making and storing milk. Because you breastfed for only 2 weeks, you are now seeing the breast glands decrease in size due to the fact they are not making milk. This accounts for the gradual increase and the rather quick decrease in size of your breasts. I recommend waiting until you are at least 6 months out from delivering... more
David Bogue, MD

Boca Raton Plastic Surgeon

www.drbogue.com

+1

Increasing breast implant size

Unfortunately, pregnancy can wreak havoc on a woman's body, including her breasts and it's so variable from one woman to the next that there's no way to predict what effect pregnancy will have. Adding additional saline to your current implants would require opening your incision and placing additional fluid in the implan. Most surgeons don't believe this is a good idea and would recommend replacing the implants, especially since they are already five years old. In this... more
Deason Dunagan, MD

Huntsville Plastic Surgeon
+1

Adding saline to an existing implant generally requires an anesthetic.

Even though you nursed for a relatively short time, the pregnancy itself with or without an  associated period of nursing, can result in a reduction of your breast tissue. This is the most likely cause of your decreasing breast size. The possibility that bilateral implant failure is the cause of this decrease is slight. Adding saline to your existing implants is one solution but even this seemingly simple effort can only be accomplished via a surgical procedure that generally... more
David A. Ross, MD

Chicago Plastic Surgeon
+1

Revising implants after pregnancy

It is common to see changes to your breasts with pregnancy, even if you don't breast feed. You raise two issues - having surgery after pregnancy and revising existing implants. When it comes to surgery after pregnancy I recommend waiting at least 3 months after you stop breast feeding and better at least 6 months after delivering the baby. Your hormones are still adjusting and can affect the quality and behavior of your skin. Once you reach that point in time if you still want to... more
Adam Rubinstein, MD

Miami Plastic Surgeon
+1

Changing the size of your existing breast implants

Before you consider a breast augmentation revision at this time, keep in mind that after pregnancy and breast-feeding a woman's body undergoes significant changes. You should only consider a surgery on your breast six months after you've completed breast feeding. At that time you will see the final status of your breast. You should then work only with a board-certified plastic surgeon who has a great deal of experience in breast augmentation and breast lift. They will be able to... more
B. Pat Pazmino, MD

Miami Plastic Surgeon
+1

Increasing the size of existing saline implants requires new implants.

Although the size of saline implants can be changed somewhat, reoperation really should include new implants.  First, the manufacturer voids the warranty on the old implants if this is undertaken.  Also, the amount of fluid that can be added is relatively small and doesn't justify another operation.
Vincent N. Zubowicz, MD

Atlanta Plastic Surgeon
+1

Increasing breast implant size

Unfortunately, you will need to replace the implants to gain any significant increase in size.  Saline implants have a recommended fill volume range from the manufacturer to allow them to feel as natural as possible.  This range is only about an ounce or two, however.  If your implants were filled at the lower range, they could be filled more to the full recommended volume, but the increase would hardly be noticeable.  Filling beyond the range would simply make your... more
Randy J. Buckspan, MD

Austin Plastic Surgeon
+1

Breast implants size increase

You are very early after delivery now. Do not do anything for at least 6 months after delivery then you and your plastic surgeon may assess the situation and discuss your needs and desires. To add more saline requires surgery to get to the valve and add to that volume that is recommended by the manufacturer, if you sure nor there.
Samir Shureih, MD

Baltimore Plastic Surgeon
+1

Saline breast implants cannot be made larger.

Hi. 1)  You shouldn't do anything for several months.  Your breasts will change and your hormones need to settle. 2)  Then, if you really want to be bigger, I am afraid you will need a revision breast augmentation with new bigger breast implants.
George J. Beraka, MD

Manhattan Plastic Surgeon
+1

Implants and pregnancy

After having a baby, the breasts sometimes get smaller. If you have saline implants, it is not recommended to go back in and fill the implants some more. Implants are made to have a certain fill. If they are overfilled too much, then they will feel hard. If you need larger amounts of fluid, then you are best to get a new implant with the correct size and volume.
Steven Wallach, MD

Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

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