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Can I Add Saline to My Implant?

asked 1 year ago by beth 1953 in Kodak
Latest answer by Jay H. Ross, MD
Question viewed 414 times
Tags: saline implants

I now live in another state and the doctor I saw wanted to replace them with silicon and did not want to fill them to a greater amount saying that the warranty would be effected. But what difference does it matter if it doesnt work I can then put in new ones. These are only 3 yrs old and I was told that I could always have more cc's put in with a minor surgery in the office under local. Can that be done? The original plastic surgeon said that I WOULD be able to. I want them a little larger.

16 answers to Can I Add Saline to My Implant?

Breast Implant adjustment

You are playing with fire. I would not try to add volume to a saline implant. The chance of leakage afterward is very high. Any time you are returning to the OR for another surgery there are risks. The chance of bleeding or infection is present. The risks of developing a capsular contracture is real. I would reconsider.

Jay H. Ross, MD
Tampa Plastic Surgeon

Adding Volume to Breast Implants After Surgery

Boy, you have opened a can of worms! The most common reason for breast implant surgery re-operation is the SIZE. For the past 5 years, I have my patients try implants (which I feel they can have safely) with a bra in front of the mirror. This has significantly decreased this issue (what you see is pretty much what you get). Most styles of saline implants used in this country have conservative fill volumes. Most of these implants will have less chance of... more

Michael A. Jazayeri, MD
Santa Ana Plastic Surgeon

Adding saline to breast implants

Adding saline to existing saline implants beyond the maximum recommended volume is not a good idea. This may void the manufacturer's warranty, cause rippling of the implant edges, and damage the implant valve. The best option is to replace your implants with larger ones.

Andrew P. Giacobbe, MD
Buffalo Plastic Surgeon

More saline

Yes you can put in more saline but I think it should be done in the sterile environment of the operating room and not in the office.Obviously there is a limit of what you can put in.

Robert Brueck, MD
Fort Myers Plastic Surgeon

Filling current saline implants with more volume.

If you are unhappy with your current implant size, my recommendation is to exchange your implants for larger new implants. Unless you have adjustable saline implants with an external valve, it is unwise to attempt an office refill due to a substantial risk of infection. Also, overfilling an implant beyond the recommended volumes can negate the warranty of the device.

David Bogue, MD
Boca Raton Plastic Surgeon

www.drbogue.com

Adding small amount not recommended

The range of "overfill" is usually relatively small and is unlikely to make a significant difference. Overfilling beyond the recommended range also causes distortion of the implant, which causes wrinkling at the edges. I agree with others who recommend either going with a larger implant, or, possibly switching to silicone. The other issues, regarding warranty and valve compromise are also valid points.

Marc Klein, MD
Atlanta Plastic Surgeon

Filling Saline Breast Implants at a Second Procedure

Hi beth 1953, There has been a sea change with the term "overfilling" and most saline breast implants are now labeled differently than they were a few years ago. They used to indicated a range (for example, a 300 cc implant might say 300 in larger numbers, and then 275- 300-325 in smaller numbers. In that case, it was considered that filling that 300 cc to 325 would be overfilling it. With time, though, as overfilling became widely accepted, the labeling... more

Alan Engler, MD
New York Plastic Surgeon

Increasing Implant Size

Eventually you will have to have your saline implants replaced. I would recommend going with silicone now if you wish to increase your size. Best wishes!

Christine Sullivan, MD
Columbus Plastic Surgeon

Can I add More Saline to my Saline Implants?

What is the incidence of Re - operation from breast implant surgery - approximately 25%. The most common reason is change of Breast Implant Size. That is why it so important to work on the appropriate size BEFORE surgery. I find that having the patient place a soft cotton bra on and then placing implants in it to look at what size - looks as though it fits your body habitus. Implants have a mximum and minimal fill. Usually we place implants with close to the... more

Richard Greco, MD
Savannah Plastic Surgeon

Adding saline to implant 3 years later is not a prudent choice

As you have read from the other articulated and informative views, this is a controversial issue. As noted, placing an additional amount above the range designed for the implant can void the warranty. Placing more saline in the office can damage the valve, be uncomfortable and subject you to a substantial risk of infection. Taking these risks are not very prudent. If anything, your best bet may be going back to your original plastic surgeon. Another relevant issue is that the... more

Steven Turkeltaub, MD
Scottsdale Plastic Surgeon

Saline implants

First, I would not recommend breast surgery under straight local. Second, I would not recommend overfilling salline implants more than the recommended max. I can not comment on the warranty, I would have to check with the company.

Steven Wallach, MD
Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Adding to saline to an implant after Augmentation

Saline breast implants have a fill range specified by the manufacturer. The valves on the implants are meant to be accessed one time. Saline overfill much above manufacturer's recommendations and a second time accessing a valve may affect your implant warranty and will make the implant feel firmer. But that is beside the point. Surgery to access a valve adds risk of implant infection, rupture, and many other risks associated with breast augmentation surgery. Plus, only small... more

Hayley Brown MD
Henderson Plastic Surgeon

Adding volume to saline implants not usually a good choice

Saline implants have a specified range of fillvolumes, so for example a 300 cc implant should be filled at least to 300 but not more than 330. Adding more volume beyond the upper limit creates potential problems, not the kleast of which is risking the warranty for implant rupture being voided. Overfilled implants are unnaturally firm and round. More important is that the additional amount that might seem reasonable isn't generally enough to notice much of a difference. more

Richard Baxter, MD
Seattle Plastic Surgeon

Adding More Saline to Your Implants

The manufacturers have specific requirements with the specific fill volume of their implants. These are designed to maximize the lifespan of the implants based upon their research and the properties of the silicone shell. However, patients regularly get implants "over filled" to reduce some of the flaws inherent in the implants themselves - such as scalloping of the edges. If you communicate with your new surgeon, and accept the fact that there may be other... more

Vincent P. Marin, MD
San Diego Plastic Surgeon

Adding saline to an implant

The subject of fill volume with saline implants is controversial. Filling an implant to less than the manufacturer's recommended amounts shortens the lifespan of the implant due to excessive shell folding. Many surgeon's feel that the recommended fill volumes are too conservative and overfill by 5-10%. Filling an implant past a certain point causes scalloping of the shell and likely shortens the lifespan of the implant. You need to find out your implant size and what it was... more

Marcel Daniels, MD
Long Beach Plastic Surgeon

Filling saline after surgery

There is much discussion whether or not this will void the warranty. The warranty is valid unless the implant is overfilled. The other surgeon may not wish to do this as he/she didn't operate on you in the first place. You may want to consider going back to your original doctor to have additional saline placed or exchange the implants. If you want a significant amount placed in the implant changing to a larger size or profile may be a better way to go.... more