Can I deflate my saline implants until I'm ready to get them removed in a few years?

Thank you for your question.Yes, your saline breast implants can be deflated in the office by a plastic surgeon.  You could also, have the implant shells removed in an office treatment room under local anesthesia.To be sure, see two or more board certified plastic surgeons for a consultation to make sure you are a good candidate and that it is safe for you to have surgery.I hope this helps.

Hi,Yes you can, and there are many BC PS in Orange county.  Please see the helpful answer below from Dr. Mary Gingrass.  I agree with every word she says.  All the best, Dr. Joe

Yes, your implants can be deflated, or deflated and removed.  This is usually done as an office procedure under local anesthesia. I would suggest having the implants removed so the corners of the deflated bag do not irritate you.  You might want to discuss this with your surgeon.

Deflation of saline implants can be performed safely and quickly in an office setting. Obviously it is an irreversible procedure. If you are certain that you want your implants removed you can have them deflated and removed at a later date possibly under local anesthesia. You may decide may decide later that you want a smaller size replaced. All of your options will remain open.

Absolutely you can have your implants deflated if you are sure that you would be happier without them.  I am sorry you are unhappy and uncomfortable, but rest assured that you have not burned any bridges.  The implants can be deflated in the office with a very simple procedure.  The empty implants can remain in place or you can elect to have them removed under local anesthesia as well.  There is no harm in the deflated implants staying in your breasts as long as they do not cause you discomfort (usually they can be felt but aren't uncomfortable).  You have lots of options in the future...1. Removal of deflated implants. 2. Removal of implants and simultaneous breast lift.  3. Exchange implants for smaller size with to without a simultaneous lift.  Fortunately your circumstance is uncommon but it does happen.  You don't need to be miserable.

 I am sorry to hear about the problems you are experiencing. As you can imagine, best not to receive specific advice online. However, 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.  You should be aware that, sometimes as breast implants deflate, patients report discomfort as a breast implant edges irritate the surrounding tissues.  This discomfort may make long-term waiting on additional breast surgery more difficult. I would suggest starting with the American Society of Plastic Surgery and/or the Aesthetic Society of Plastic Surgery to obtain a list of well experienced board-certified plastic surgeons. Then, I would suggest you visit a few surgeons whose practices concentrate on aesthetic surgery. Ask to see lots of examples of their work and preferably speak/see patients who have had similar procedures done.  You may also find the attached link, dedicated to breast implant removal concerns, helpful to you as you learn more. Best wishes.

Although it is certainly possible to deflate your saline implants under sterile techniques in your plastic surgeon's office, I would opt for removal.  Removal can be done in the office under local anesthesia and is a very very simple quick procedure which should be inexpensive if not free.

Yes, but I'm not sure that I'd recommend that.I'm sorry that you've had a bad experience with the implants but planning to leave empty shells in place risks causing discomfort down the line (the edges of the implants can be palpable on the outside, and can "stick in" on the inside).  If you can't or don't want to replace them with smaller implants I'd probably suggest that you just have these removed now.  That can normally be done under local anesthesia or with just a little sedation, depending on the incisions that are used, etc.  You would of course have to discuss this in person with a surgeon but that's probably the direction I would point you in given the option.I hope that this helps and good luck,Dr. Alan EnglerMember of RealSelf100