Will deflating prior to explantation allow for skin to retract?

Deflating your saline implants in the office is an excellent option.  It is simple and does not require an incision.  It give the breast time to change and you and your surgeon time to see if a lift is needed.Earl Stephenson, Jr, MD, DDS, FACS

Hi there,Thanks for your question.  This is now a common concern as many women have older saline implants and desire implant exchange for a variety of reasons.Deflation of saline breast implants in the office prior to removal of breast implants and/or breast lifting surgery is often a good way to go. This allows both patient and surgeon to get a better idea of the “starting point” of the patient's breast, without the breast implant affecting native anatomy. Also, the surgeon can have more accurate measurements when it comes to the degree of breast lifting necessary, if this is part of the plan.

In office deflation of saline breast implants prior to removal of breast implants and/or breast lifting surgery is an acceptable way to go (occasionally the best way to go). This allows both patient and physician to get a better idea of the “starting point” of the patient's breast, without the breast implants' volume changing her anatomy. Also, the surgeon is able to make more accurate measurements when it comes to the degree of breast lifting necessary, if this is part of your plan. etc.
Best wishes with your upcoming surgery.

When performed in a sterile setting your saline implants can be deflated to give you an idea of what to expect from implant removal (explant). Whether your skin will retract depends upon how stretched and thin it is now, how large your implants are, etc. I recommend you schedule a consultation with a board-certified plastic surgeon who can examine you and review your options with you.I hope this helpsDr. Edwards

Deflating saline implants in the office a few weeks before definitive surgery is very useful in some patients.  I highly recommend doing this if the patient has significant asymmetry, has really thin tissues or is interested in implant replacement with a different size of implant.It just blows me away how much the breasts retract over a few weeks.  Once the body has done its thing, I reevaluate the patient and refine the operative plan.Take a look at my blog entry on this subject for a impressive example of skin and breast retraction. 

The skin will contract to some degree whether you deflate first or simply remove the implants. But the scar sac around the implant, the capsule will also contract and it's nice to have this happen before the explant as it cuts down on risk of fluid collections later. And it is safe for your surgeon to do the deflation.