Why are my saline breast implants shrinking in size?

Question

I had my saline breast implants done in February 2008. I have noticed a difference in size. I had 350cc in each implant. I am not happy with my results. I was always small breasted my whole life. I went from a c cup and now I am down too a small b.

Kenneth Hughes, MD · Answer

The only way to address your concerns is to examine you and determine what would be the appropriate next step.Try to research this to find the surgeon who consistently produces the 
results you would expect.  Look at reviews on this site and see who gets the surgery right every time.  Find

a  board certified plastic surgeon who performs hundreds of breast 
augmentations and breast augmentation revisions each year.  Then look at
 the plastic surgeon's   
website before and after photo galleries to get a sense of who can   
deliver the results.  Kenneth Hughes, MDLos Angeles, CA

Mahlon Kerr, MD, FACS · Answer

If its one side you could have a slow valve leak (uncommon) or you could have lost breast tissue from losing weight or just time.  I would visit with a PS if you are unhappy as I suspect that there are many options to make things look and feel better for you.

William T. Stoeckel, MD · Answer

If you feel that your breasts are getting smaller, one of two things is happening. Either the saline implants have a leak and are losing volume or your actual breast tissue is diminishing due to weight loss or age. If both breasts are getting smaller, it is possible that the implants are leaking, but this would be very unusual. If only one breast is getting smaller, then it is most likely a leaking implant. Make an appointment with your surgeon and take some photos for comparison. You might also want to consider getting an ultrasound if you are still worried about a leak.

Charles Cope, MD · Answer

Hi. If your breasts have changed in size then either your implants may have a slow leak or your breast volume has changed - the best thing to do is get an ultrasound of your breasts/implants and see your plastic surgeon with the result.

Angela Champion, MD · Answer

I'm sorry to hear that you have not been happy with your results from your breast augmentation in 2008! If you feel like your breasts are getting smaller since your surgery, you may have a slow leak.  It could also be the loss of your own breast tissue, which happens to everyone as we get older.  Best bet would be to see your surgeon for an exam and go from there.  If you had always been unhappy with your size, it could be a good time to consider switching to a larger implant! Good luck! ac

Jourdan Gottlieb, MD · Answer

Possibilities include loss of breast volume or loss of implant volume.  Occasionally saline implants leak slowly, but that is quite uncommon. Usually when a leak occurs, the implants deflate quickly, as in 24 hours. The likelihood of two slowly leaking saline implants at once is slim enough that I would suspect loss of breast volume, something that is not uncommon.A visit to a plastic surgeon should provide a definitive answer to which of the two possibilities is the cause. All the best .

Tom J. Pousti, MD · Answer

Sounds like you would benefit from a follow-up visit with your plastic surgeon. Whether you have experienced saline breast implant leakage, or your breast implants have displaced, or you have lost some native breast tissue, can only be determined on physical examination. Best wishes.

Robert E. Zaworski, MD (retired) · Answer

Schedule an exam with your Plastic Surgeon.  You could have a slow leak in your implant, or you could be at the age where you are losing some of your own breast tissue.  Best wishes!

Why are my saline breast implants shrinking in size?

Answers (8)

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