How Invasive is It to Down Size Existing Breast Implants?

Yuo have very large implants that were placed less than a year ago - assuming your skin is in good condition, removing your large implants and replacing with smalle devices should yield a good cosmetic result.

   If the implants placed were too large, removal is a good idea.  Smaller implants will definitely give you fewer problems over time.  The sooner the implants are downsized the less of a chance of skin and tissue sag.  The cost is usually similar to the original.  Although the first surgeon may give you a break on the price.

If you feel that you are too large, and look heavy - then yes, the answer is to downsize your implants.  It isn't any more invasive than any other kind of implant exchange.  If you have a lot of loose skin, or breast droop prior to your surgery, you might need a breast lift.  If your skin is in good shape, a simple implant exchange to a smaller size will likely be all that is needed - and this can be done through your original incision.

Hello,

What you mean by invasive? Do you mean painful? Do you mean technically difficult? Do you mean the need for general anesthesia? Do you mean costly?

Down sizing may be technically challenging or not, depending on the amount of change in the size of the implant desired and the current position of your implants.  It could be a quick 'switch out', or a lengthy resizing (sewing) of the pockets.  It is usually a much less uncomfortable recovery because the pocket has already been established, however, like primary breast augmentation, it should be performed in an accredited operating room under general anesthesia for all the same reasons.  Therefore, operating room and anesthesia costs should be the same or possibly more if it requires more time in the operating room.  How much you pay the original surgeon depends on the discretion of the surgeon, however most surgeons would probably at least have you pay for operating room, anesthesia, and implants costs.

Best of luck!

In general, breast implant exchange is less costly and recovery is quicker than initial augmentation. The key is figure out which implant size is more suitable for you so hopefully you wouldn't want to switch size so quickly after initial surgery. Find a surgeon that you feel will listen to you and understanding your goal. 

Best Wishes,

Stewart Wang, MD FACS, Wang Plastic Surgery

Wow, that's a big implant. If you are going to downsize I would do it early, before the breast gets so stretched that it won't shrink back at all. Then you will need a lift.

850 cc implants are very large. Hard to say whether a downsize is reasonable without some sort of a lift.  Best to be seen in person for a proper evaluation.

having an implant exchange is generally a much less invasive procedure. Your down time is significantly less.

 The surgery involved in exchanging implants is less invasive than the original procedure.  The pockets are already made, muscle is dissected, and the tissues are stretched.  If you plan on choosing a much smaller implant, additional work may need to be done such as decreasing the size of the pocket or raising the nipple position.  

Your original surgeon may be able to offer you some leeway in terms of costs, the operation presumably will be shorter than the first surgery.

Good luck with your decision,

Doug Hargrave,M.D.

Thank you for the question.

Generally speaking, downsizing breast implants tends to be in operation  associate with significant less discomfort and recovery time compared to initial breast outpatient surgery. This  is related to the fact that the breast implant pocket has already been dissected during the initial operation.

The questions that will need to be answered during direct consultation will be:
1. What breast implant size/profile will most likely achieve your size goals;  I prefer the use of goal pictures to help with this communication process.

2. Is the overlying skin/breast tissue elasticity sufficient to “bounce back”  over the smaller breast implants?

3. Do the breast implant pockets themselves need to be adjusted (internal suture repair) to appropriately accommodate the smaller breast implants?

 You will need to ask your plastic surgeon about costs associated with the revision surgery.

 Best wishes..