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Is Surgery Required to Deflate a Saline Implant?

asked 1 year ago by Cynthia in Florida
Latest answer by John P. Di Saia, MD
Question viewed 1,262 times
Tags: saline implants, deflation

I got my implants 13 years ago, and have hated them from the first day. They both looked so high up near my collar bone, and did not look natural. Once one deflated, I quite like it's appearance. I really do not want to remove either implant at this time. Nor do I want them replaced, ever. However, I would like to deflate the intact implant to match it's counterpart. Is this possible? Or, is it necessary to have both removed entirely at this time?

23 answers to Is Surgery Required to Deflate a Saline Implant?

Deflated saline implants

Deflating the other implant is a short term solution. It can be done by a physician. Leaving the deflated bags long term is not advisable. Removal of these implants is quick and very minor. It can be done under local anesthesia. Wishing you all the best, Tal Raine MD FACS

Talmage J. Raine, MD
Chicago Plastic Surgeon

Remove them under local if possible

Hello, It is difficult to say what the implants might do if left in place. Delayed scarring or infection is potentially possible. Removal is advisable. This can at times be done in simple and low cost ways. Best Regards, John Di Saia MD see video

John P. Di Saia, MD
Orange Plastic Surgeon

Deflating Saline implants

One of the advantages of saline implants is the ability to deflate them at any time. Some women gain weight and breast size and no longer need or want the implants. After pregnancy the tissue can stretch and cause ptosis (droopiness), or long term insertion of implants can stretch the tissues and lead to ptosis. These are all valid reasons to have the implants deflated. Deflating the implants is very easy and done in an office setting with just a drop of local... more

David Finkle, MD
Omaha Plastic Surgeon

Deflation vs. removal of impant

First, please do not try this on your own at home. You could introduce bacteria into a pocket with a foreign body and have a mess on your hands. I would recommend having them both removed. If given the choice it is usually better to remove a foreign body that is not of benefit to you. It is usually a straight forward procedure, but should still be done in a clean environment by your plastic surgeon.

Jeffrey Roth, MD
Las Vegas Plastic Surgeon

Deflation of breast implants

Although it sounds easy enough (just deflate the implant yourself), it is NOT recommended. You could cause more problems for yourself. Go see a certified surgeon and discuss this procedure. It is not a difficult procedure for someone to do but when a certified surgeon does it, you will more likely reduce the potential risks associated with any surgical procedure.

Tom J. Pousti, MD
San Diego Plastic Surgeon

www.poustiplasticsurgery.com

Ok to intentionally deflate saline implant

Hi Cynthia, I sometimes deflate saline implants followed by removal within 1-2 weeks. I do this when a patient is not sure if she will like her breast size if the implant is removed. I have not left one in long term and it would concern me-it is possible you might develop an infection. Secondly, the one implant might not deflate to the same degree as the other. Then you would need surgery to correct this. Can you tell if there is any saline left on the right... more

Tracy Pfeifer, MD
Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

drpfeifer.com

Intentionally deflating saline breast implants

There are some very good answers here already. To summarize my opinion: Your implants are too high and were either too wide or not positioned and healed properly or both. The correction for this is an open revision and replacement of both sides with implants that fit the width of your breast and are correctly positioned. Intentionally puncturing and even aspirating a saline implant is a simple matter and not much more involved than drawing blood from a vein but it is not... more

Scott L. Replogle, MD
Denver Plastic Surgeon

Leaving the shells behind...

You probably have addressed this problem by now but there really isn't no harm to leaving your shells in... unless they develop pointy edges indicating the shell is pushing on your skin in an abnormal way and could lead to erosions and extrusions if nothing is done. Having the shell deflated is no different than having the shell inflated and leaving a shell in that isn't trying to work its way out should not increase your risks at all. Take out the shells when it is... more

Curtis Wong, MD
Redding Plastic Surgeon

Deflated saline implants

You should have both implants removed. If you do not wish to be reaugmented, that is your prerogative. It would not be standard practice to intentionally deflate the other implant. The implant shells serve no benefit remaining in your body if they are not inflated. While it is unlikely that the implant shell would cause you any harm in a deflated condition (after all, they don't cause harm when inlated, and the substance inside was just saline), it is serving no benefit for you to stay... more

Tim Abou-Sayed, MD
Palm Beach Plastic Surgeon

Is Surgery Required to Deflate a Saline Implant?

Please have a very minor surgery to remove both implants. This can be done under local anesthesia. It is a safer path for you. PLEASE.

Darryl J. Blinski, MD
Miami Plastic Surgeon

Deflate an implant

Of course it can be deflated by needle aspiration, I have done it many times. LIke you some patients I've encountered had no further use for their implants and wanted symmetry after deflation of one side. Some were too old to undergo further surgery, some couldn't afford the extraction surgery or simply couldn't take time off to actually do it. Often times I deliberately deflate the good implant just to restore the original shape of the breasts in preparation... more

Juan A. Brou, MD
Oklahoma City Plastic Surgeon

Deflate versus Remove.

You could easily have a surgeon deflate the implant simply by placing a needle into under sterile conditions, howeve, this is not the best technique as it would leave a foreigtn body in your system. You could just as easily numb the original incision site and have your surgeon remove both implants. The cost of doing this should be about as much as placing a needle into it as it will not require a trip to the operaqting room and the only cost difference would be that of a few... more

Leonard Hochstein, MD
Miami Plastic Surgeon

Implant deflation

You should have both removed if you are not happy with them. I wouldn;t leave the deflated on in, nor would I recommend just deflation.

Steven Wallach, MD
Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Yes

Yes, your saline implant can be deflated, and it can be deflated without taking it out. Please don't try to do this yourself. See your original surgeon or any board certified plastic surgeon. He/she will numb your skin so that a hypodermic need can be passed thru the tissues to puncture the implant. This is very safe. it will take a week or so for all of the saline to leak out. There should be no side effects. The implants should... more

E. Anthony Musarra II, MD
Atlanta Plastic Surgeon

Saline Implant Deflation

Given the fact that neither implant is providing you with any benefit, you should have both of them removed. This can be accomplished quickly in the office under local anesthesia only.

Stephan Baker, MD
Miami Plastic Surgeon

Deflating the other implant

It is quite possible to deflate the other implant which is high riding and looks overfilled. If the breast always looked like this I can see why you are and always were unhappy. Your plastic surgeon can deflate this using sterile technique. While I would recommend removing the implant shell it is not absolutely necessary unles there is a problem like extrusion or infection.

Steven Schuster, MD
Boca Raton Plastic Surgeon

www.schusterplasticsurgery.com

Deflation of implants

Clearly it is possible to deflate an implant under local anesthesia under sterile conditions and plan to leave the shell in place. Based on your picture that appears to reasonable.

Walter D. Gracia, MD
Arlington Plastic Surgeon

Deflating Saline Implants

While it would be best to have the implants removed, they can be deflated in the office very easily. Just contact your plastic surgeon and let them know what you want and they should be able to deflate your implants as a simple office procedure under local anesthesia. Good Luck.

David Shafer, MD
New York Plastic Surgeon

Can a saline implant be deflated without surgry?

This is one advantage of saline implants. It can be deflated in the office with one needle stick and the saline removed. I usually partially deflate them and allow for a slower natural deflation over the next few weeks. This way your breast and skin begin to tighten up without any skin distortion from scarring. You can leave the shells in there. In very thin women this might show through the skin. I remove them under local anesthesia through a 1" incision in the breast crease. See a... more

George Marosan, MD
Bellevue Plastic Surgeon

www.bellevueplasticsurgeons.com

Deflated Implant

Yes, you can have the other one deflated-it takes a few minutes and we typically gine the patient an antibiotic-please make sure you have this done in a medical and sterile setting.

Edward J. Bednar, MD
Charlotte Plastic Surgeon

Implant deflation

Yes the implant can be deflated without surgery but needs to be done in a sterile setting preferrentially by a plastic surgeon.

S. Ozan Sozer, MD
El Paso Plastic Surgeon

Surgery Not Required For Deflation of Saline Implant

I can understand why you prefer your breast on the deflated side to your augmented breast. It appears that you have an implant which is a good bit too large for your breast and is also malpositioned. You could have your implant deflated without undergoing surgery, but I would recommend that this be done by a plastic surgeon (to lessen the chance of infection).

John Whitt, MD
Louisville Plastic Surgeon

BREAST IMPLANT DEFLATION

You bring up a very interesting situation. First, I would consult with a plastic surgeon to discuss your desires. I would not try to deflate the implant on your own. A trained professional should be able to deflate the implant fairly easily under local anesthesia. There is no evidence that leaving a deflated implant in place is harmful. In my opinion you have expressed a reasonable option.