Can I make my saline implants bigger after 3 weeks?

Question

I just got my saline put in 3 weeks ago. I'm not happy with the size. Can I go and vet them bigger or do I need to wait? Also how does it work? Does the doctor put me to sleep and cut my brest open? Is it still cost alote like when I had them put in? Thank you

Richard Baxter, MD · Answer

All breast implants, saline or silicone, have specific dimensions including the diameter and the projection so that they match the patient's anatomy. Because saline implants are filled at the time they are placed, there is a range of volumes that can be used but this is limited, typically 30-50 cc's from the minimum to the maximum for each size. That is only a couple of Tablespoons, not enough to make big enough difference to go back to surgery just to have more added.

Curtis Wong, MD · Answer

so you should first find out if your implants are filled minimally (and you can then consider more fill) or maximally (and you really need new implants to be larger).  More important is how was the decision made for which size implant you were going to get.  If you were fully informed and agreed with the planned size, you can anticipate paying all over for this.  If your surgeon promised you a certain size (but I don't' know of any reasonable surgeon that would do this) and didn't deliver, then the burden falls on your surgeon to make this right.  But you cannot fully evaluate your size until you are completely healed.  And that takes months, so its best to sit tight and allow for healing and keep your surgeon informed of your concerns so plans can be formulated if you are still not achieving the desired size you wanted.  Using your same implant will not allow for major increases and any procedure where the implant is exposed will require the use of an OR and bring costs with that.  In the end, best to give it time and see if you can be happy with your outcome before trying to change things.

Tom J. Pousti, MD · Answer

I am sorry to hear about your concerns after breast augmentation/lifting surgery. Your plastic surgeon will always be your best resource when it comes to accurate assessment and/or advice.

Generally speaking, breast implants will "drop" into the pocket that was created during surgery. The rate of breast implant "settling" may depend on factors such as size of breast implant pocket dissected, tightness of the overlying skin/muscle layers, and size of breast implant utilized. Normally, it takes about 3-6 months (for some patients longer) to see the final result. It is very common for one side to settle faster than the other.

I routinely ask my patients to wait at least 3-6 months before evaluating the end results of the breast augmentation surgery. This waiting time allows patients to (usually) physically and psychologically adapt to the new body image.

In other words, it is much too early to evaluate the outcome of the procedure performed; your breasts will undoubtedly change over the course of the next several weeks/months.   The vast majority of patients with your concerns at your stage in the recovery process, turn out to be much happier two to three months after the procedure was performed.  Understandably, patients often experience significant emotional "ups and downs" around the time of surgery.

For example, many of my patients report that as the swelling around the breast implants (for example, in the sternal area) decreases, they feel that their breasts appear more projecting. Also, in my opinion, the "drop and fluff” phenomenon does hold some validity; as breast implants “settle”, many patients feel that their breasts actually look larger. 
 
Best wishes for an outcome that you will be very pleased with.

Can I make my saline implants bigger after 3 weeks?

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