Breast Implant Revision: Q&A

Ask a Question

How Much Smaller an Implant Can I Get with an Implant Exchange Without Requiring a Lift? (photo)

I would like to remove my 375cc (over-inflated to 425) saline implants, placed 12 years ago, with 250-325cc silicone implants. My implants are above the muscle and incisions are peri-areolar. I am hoping to avoid a lift. I have been told by 2 plastic surgeons that my nipples lie at the correct level by examination. Both surgeons recommend that I just do an implant exchange or that I undergo an explant with lift, followed by a second procedure with implant replacement.

Tags:

Comment on this

9 Doctor Answers | Asked by dbc17

Doctor Answers (9)
Community Comments (0)

Implant exchange

Just based upon your photos, it looks like you will need implant exchange if you want to downsize. It does not look like you have alot of native tissue. An exam in person would be appropriate.

Steven Wallach, MD

13 reviews

Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Implants

Downsizing your implants by 50-100 cc. should not cause much ptosis and will actually soften your appearance to a more natural look. I would exchange these to silicone plus profile mentor implants

Scaling down implant size

When considering a revision, it is important to identify the problems and what is to be done about them and what result that will achieve. Based on your photos, your problems are that the implants placed were too big, the implants are overfilled, and they are above the pectorals muscle. This has resulted in stretch and distortion of your tissues. Properly fitted implants do not lift the breast and removing does not make them sag, but when the tissues are distorted, this could... more

You might also like...

Real Stories

Breast Implant Rupture - Removal of Implants and Insertion of New - Toronto, ON

I had my initial breast augmentation approx 22 years ago. I experienced a rather traumatic...

Before + After Photos

View 653 Breast Implant Revision photos

Requiring a lift with smaller implant exchange

From your pics and the way the implants appear on your chest, you have a grade II capsular contracture (mild to moderate). The capsular contracture causes visibility of the implant edge. You can have an implant exchange to 100cc smaller silicone implants as well as addressing the capsules. By performing either the capsulectomy or capsulotomy, the implants will sit lower on the chest and give a more natural shape to the breast. Your skin should redrape over the implant without need for... more

Implant exchange decision

Hi, the pic you provide does indeed have the above the muscle look. I understand your request. If you decided to keep the implants above the muscle, a 100 cc drop may not cause too much drooping. If you went below the muscle, a lift may be necessary if your skin doesn't tighten up on its own. It's hard to predict this. A contoured gel implant is now available as well to help you with the decision about having a more natural contour. Hope that is... more

Will smaller implants require a lift?

This is a great question and a tough one to answer. From the photo you have included, the nipple position appears to be good. With such large implants place above the muscle, you have stretched the skin out and down sizing the implants will leave extra skin. The smaller the implant, the more the excess skin you will have. Having a detailed discussion with your plastic surgeon about your ideal look and size can help guide what can be done. One option is to down... more

Brian Reuben, MD

3 reviews

Salt Lake City Plastic Surgeon

How Much Of A Decrease In Size Without A Lift

Dear DBC17, One of the frustrations for plastic surgeons when a patient is wanting to decrease her implant size many years after the original breast augmentation is the inability to accurately determine how much her breast tissues will shrink/retract after removing the old, larger implants. There is a lot of variability in these patients; some will shrink back to almost their original size and shape and no lift will be required and others will shrink very little and need a lift.... more

How much smaller breast implants

You have the typical look of subglandular implants in a thin person where you see the outline of the implant and no feathering of the edges as is seen with submuscular implants. If you like this look then going down 100cc may be OK It is hard to predict how well your skin will shrink. Good Luck!

How Much Smaller an Implant Can I Get with an Implant Exchange Without Requiring a Lift?

Among other considerations will be moving the implants behind the muscle this time. It is hard to answer your question based only on a photo. I would guess that you could decrease the size by about 100 cc without leaving much skin excess. I am not sure of the rationale for the suggested two stage procedure that was proposed. Perhaps another (in person) opinion would be sensible. All the best.

Doctors will not see your comments on their answers. If you'd like to follow up, please go here to ask another question.

Comments (0)

Ask a Question

These answers are for educational purposes and should not be relied upon as a substitute for medical advice you may receive from your physician. If you have a medical emergency, please call 911. These answers do not constitute or initiate a patient/doctor relationship.

Breast Implant Revision: Q&A