Would breast implants after a breast reduction to increase size and shape be a good idea for me? (Photo)

Dear Madisonvvvl, You have a very nice result but many women decide they want to maintain some shape in the upper pole (above the nipple) of the breast. The most common way to achieve that is with implants. Saline implants don't have to be changed unless you have a problem with them. The lowest profile implant would provide shape without adding excessive size back to your breast.

Hi, thank you for sharing your question. You are a good candidate for breast augmentation and will achieve a fuller, projected look. The idea that they must be exchanged every 10 years is a common myth and does not apply to the majority of patients.

The 10 year old implant exchange is based on very old data on the previous implant generations. I do not recommend changing implants unless there a reason to. I would recommend implants and another lift to help achieve further symmetry.

Breast implants can shape the breast very nicely after breast reduction.
Implants are not lifelong devices, so you may need more surgery in the future, however it would be very unlikely that you would require surgery every 10 years.
I advise you not to go with too large an implant, as your skin carried heavy breasts before, and so are more likely to stretch out with a heavier implant.
As well, I advise waiting at least a year before having implant surgery after breast reduction.

Thanks for your question! I do think that a lower profile implant could get you some upper pole fullness without making you too large. Another option might be fat grafting, but you would want to find someone that specializes in that. Good luck!

Dear madisonvvvl,
it is hard to tell for sure without an examination. If you are considering surgery, I would suggest you consult a board-certified plastic surgeon. Only after a thorough examination, you will get more information and recommendations.
Daniel Barrett, MDCertified, American Board of Plastic SurgeryMember, American Society of Plastic SurgeryMember, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

Breast implants are certainly a good option to increase upper pole fullness. A breast reduction makes the breast smaller, but importantly also lifts the nipple to a higher position. The idea that implants have to be changed out every ten years has fallen out of favor. Implants don't necessarily need to be replaced if there isn't a problem with them. However, implants should certainly not be thought of as a lifetime device.

You would benefit from a revision of the breasts with a lift and fat transfers instead of implants.

Best Wishes,

Gary Horndeski, M.D.

Yes, you can increase upper pole fullness with a breast implant and it can be done after a breast reduction. There is no rule that implants need to be replaced every 10 years. The current generation of silicone implants have a very good track record with rupture rates estimated at about 1% per year. I only recommend implant replacement if there is an issue to be corrected with the procedure. The issue you may have is aging of your breast tissue and skin that can lead to sagging of the natural breast off of the implant creating a "double bubble" or "waterfall deformity." These changes can also occur with pregnancy. A good support bra is a necessity. Hope this helps.

Hi! It will definitely benefit you to have breast implants. Breast augmentation with implants is the only way you can improve your shape and size. And most importantly, with todays technology there is no need to change them every ten years anymore. Patients just have to do routine breast imaging like mammographies and MRIs to make sure the implants and the surrounding tissue is normal. This is something all women should do anyways so it is not a hassle at all.

Best of luck,
Dr. Miguel Mota