Saline Breast implant reduction

I have Mentor saline implants filled to 375 CC, the procedure done in 2004. I have been quite happy with my breasts and the implants, but lately, as I approach menopause, I'm wishing for somewhat smaller breasts! Can I have, say, 100 or 150 cc of the saline removed from the implants, or will I need to have complete removal and replacement with smaller implants?

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15 answers to “Saline Breast implant reduction”

A: Breast implant reduction

By Steven H. Williams, MD - Bay Area Plastic Surgeon

Unfortunately unless your implant has a port on it (Mentor's Spectrum implants for example) (which are exceedingly rare in cosmetic cases) there is no way to reduce the volume in the implant without replacing the implant. In addition, even if there were a way to take fluid out of the implant safely, implants... more

A: You cannot remove saline from your existing implants!

By Stephen A. Goldstein, MD - Denver Plastic Surgeon

Unfortunately, you are unable to remove the saline from your existing implants. You should see a board certified plastic surgeon who is experienced in breast surgery to discuss your options. You have basically three choices: 1) do nothing and accept the implants as they 2) removal of the... more

A: A large amount of saline cannot be taken out of implants without problems

By Susan E. Downey, MD - Los Angeles Plastic Surgeon

This rather a difficult situation and several things need to be considered. In order to remove any saline out of an implant the pocket needs to be reopened and the implant totally removed from the breast , the saline removed and then the implant replaced. This is obviously a surgical procedure and... more

A: Best choice is new implants, perhaps with a lift as well

By Shahram Salemy, MD - Seattle Plastic Surgeon

Downsizing your breast size is best achieved with new implants, not removing the fluid from the existing ones. In order to give you the best cosmetic appearance, you may also require a breast lift as well to tighten the pocket of the implant. Another option is a lift alone without any implants, but these... more

A: You will need to switch out your breast implants

By David Shafer, MD - Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Dawn, Unfortunately, to reduce the size of your implants, they will need to be replaced. The implants are not made to modify the fill volume after implantation. Additionally, each implant as a specific fill volume with a narrow range. Reducing your volume will take your implant out of that range. One other... more

A: Revision breast surgery

By Brent Moelleken, MD - Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon

Saline implants should generally not be underinflated. They tend to ripple and fail mechanically if they are underinflated. Simply replacing a large implant with a smaller one can create a deflated, lopsided breast. It is not just an issue of placing a smaller implant in the pocket, which will... more

A: You'll need new implants and maybe more

By Richard P. Rand, MD - Seattle Plastic Surgeon

It is certainly possible to decrease your implant size but not by deflating your current implants by 100-150ccs. Each implant has a preset minimum volume they need to have in order not to be too wrinkly and have an increased risk of deflation. You would need an entirely new implant filled to its own proper... more

A: Best to start fresh

By Armando Soto, MD - Orlando Plastic Surgeon

Hi- Reducing the volume of your existing implants by a noticeable amount would be likely to lead to visible rippling, and would greatly increase the odds of the implants rupturing quickly, as well as introducing the problems outlined by my colleagues. Your best bet is to get a good handle on your goals, then... more

A: Saline Implants and Reduction

By Farbod Esmailian, MD - Orange County Plastic Surgeon

You can adjust those implants by 50 cc, that is, if they were 325 filled to 375. This is not a significant reduction. In general, I recommend a reduction by at least 100 cc to have a noticeable difference. At times also if you do a significant reduction you may also have to tighten the skin (do a... more

A: Downsizing a saline breast implant: Important considerations

By Raffy Karamanoukian, MD - Los Angeles Plastic Surgeon

Saline Breast implants are designed to be semi-permanent implantable devices. They are composed of an outer shell of silicone with an inner fill of normal saline (salt water). In most cases, the skin and breast parenchyma form a sufficient envelope around the breast to produce an aesthetically... more

More answers to Saline Breast implant reduction
Atlanta - Need to maintain a minimal fill volume for the implants
Los Angeles - Decreasing the size of an implant.
New York City - Need new implants

Comments

Cindy Fuchs-Morrissey
20 posts
16 Jan 2009

Saline breast implants with a silicone shell, as well as silicone gel breast implants are not safe, nor do any of these so-called medical devices of an illusion of the mind have acceptalble risks. All breast implant patients need to be HLA-typed BEFORE opting for any breast implant. The chemical adjuvancy of lot numbers (over time = the time factor of exposure) will exert/turn on a patient's immune response...there IS causation of silicone...which includes the shell of a saline breast implant as well.

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