Deflate saline Breast implant before operation to remove. Any suggestions?

In a patient with very thin tissues deflation of the implant before removal with a breast lift lets the tissues shrink up a bit and thicken (no more pressure from the implant). This may make a lift safer. I usually wait about 6- 12 weeks. If you are not considering a lift then you really don't need to deflate before removal.Sometimes I find pre operative deflation when a patient is not sure that she want a lift, or is considering going with a different smaller implant. Deflation can let the patient get a sense how much droop she has, and what size the remaining breast is. With old implants deflate the patient can then look at sizers again and get a sense of size preference when considering a new implant.Hope this helps. Best wishes.

I think this method it not useful at all.  You should have the implants out with the capsule all at once.  For explant surgery, it is almost always best to remove the capsule in its entirety.  This will allow the space to heal.  If you leave the capsule in place, it does not heal.  Fluid can accumulate in the space.  The situation that brings the patient to implant removal will have an affect on the decision.  This is a surgery which requires discussion with the plastic surgeon about the problem, the goals, and the technical concerns.  The body does not re-absorb the capsule.  Revision surgery requires drains because the fluid is going to be generated when you operate on the scar capsule.  If you provide a mechanism for the fluid to be removed (i.e. drains), the risks are lower.  If the fluid accumulates because there were no drains, it will most certainly cause problems in the future.

The time between having the saline implants deflated and removing the shell will be influenced by your reason to deflate them. If you are wanting to see how much the skin retracts to determine if you want a lift then you should wait at least 8-12 weeks. If you are simply wanting them deflated prior to versus during surgery you don't need to wait at all. Visit with your surgeon to find out what is recommended for you.

Hello-Deflating saline implants in the office can be very helpful in cases where you're not sure if you want a lift, or new implants. Deflation allows you to remove the volume from the implant and remove the pressure of the implant pressing on tissues, so you have a better idea of what your breasts are like without implants. Some women then choose to go on with a lift or new implants, while others decide that they feel fine without the implant volume, and therefore just have the implant envelopes removed. I usually wait at least a month between deflation and doing a new procedure.If you're certain that you want your implants out and nothing else done, you can simply have them deflated and removed in the same procedure.Best wishes-

If you just want your implants removed, you might just go ahead with removal instead of deflation first. If you are unsure if you do want implants, the deflation would give you a good idea as to what you can expect after removal. Once deflated, you can probably choose to have the implants removed at any time. If you are undecided about a lift, you might want to give your tissues up to 3 months to see what shrinkage you may get. If your implants are small, you may not see a lot of change.

In cases where patients choose to have an "in office deflation" performed, I suggest waiting at least 3 months before  the definitive breast operation.  In most cases, this definitive operation involves breast implant removal and breast lifting surgery. Generally speaking, in office deflation of saline breast implants is an option for some patients. For example, if a patient wishes to downsize breast implants and/or undergo breast lifting surgery, it may be in her best interests to have an in office deflation performed; doing so has the advantage of allowing the skin to “bounce back” slowly. Both the patient and her plastic surgeon will be able to determine more accurately, what will be in her best interests with subsequent surgery. Planning of additional surgery, such as breast lifting, may also be and easier and more accurate proceeding in this fashion. 





 In office deflation may be a good idea for patients trying to decide whether to undergo breast implant removal altogether or downsizing of breast implants; this will give them a good idea of what their breasts will look like without implants.  Whether or not breast lifting ( and/or other maneuvers) will be indicated will be more easily determined. Obviously, in office deflation does commit patients to additional surgery (at the very least, breast implant shell removal). Sometimes as breast implants deflate, patients report discomfort as a breast implant edges irritate the surrounding tissues.



You may the find attached link helpful to you as you learn more. Best wishes.

This is a topic where almost every plastic surgeon has a different approach.  If you are just wanting implants removed it is quite possible that you don't need a deflation as it can be done in one stage  without deflation  . If you are unsure about implants doing a deflation will give you an idea of what you look like without them so you can make up your mind If you're having a removal and lift then opinions definitely vary Some doctors prefer to deflate them and hope that the breast shrinks on it's own to decrease the amount of lifting  however the downside of deflation is that the scar tissue can shrink around the deflated implant and be very uncomfortable. It also makes opening up the space more difficult again .  In my practice I generally do these procedures in one stage without deflation

The only purpose of intentionally deflating saline-filled implants before a removal is to see what the outcome of the removal would likely look like. Deflating the implant intentionally voids the warranty on the implants and there is still the silicone rubber shell of the implant to be removed although there is no rush and no known problems caused by the deflated implant shell sitting in the tissue capsule. Removing saline-filled (or deflated) breast implants can be done under local anesthesia with a 2 cm incision in the inframammary crease if there is no reason to remove part or all of the capsule around the implant.