I'm having my saline implants removed. Should I wait until I lose more weight? Current loss 10 pounds 30 more to go. (photo)

Breast implants can be removed at any time, weight is not an issue.  Losing weight before or after will not change the final outcome.  If, however, you are considering a breast lift, it's better not to lose weight AFTER the surgery.

I think the way you have put this, the answer really boils down to your personal preferences as far as a one stage procedure or two.  In general, we typically like patients to have most if not all of their weight loss complete before doing breast surgery, at least anything definitive like lifting or reduction.  Your breasts will likely change with weight loss, and we can't predict how much, thus with surgery now before weight loss is complete, you are "shooting at a moving target."  If there is some reason why you would be more comfortable getting your implants out now, say they are getting in the way of exercise, it is reasonable to do that alone as a first stage prior to weight loss.  This will also have the advantage that sometimes the breasts will contract and "settle" on their own following explantation alone, and this may allow for less of a lift in the end.  Just understand that with this option you may be committing to a second stage procedure down the line once the weight loss is finally completed and the breasts have settled.  Alternatively, you can wait until your weight loss is completed and undergo the entire procedure as a single stage.  This has the advantage of getting everything done at once, but there is more "tailoring" to do as the implants are coming out and the lift is being done at the same time, and accuracy may be sacrificed.  Regardless, the one option that I would strongly recommend against is having the operation done in its entirety now before you lose weight.  If you have any surgery now before weight loss, the only thing I would suggest at this point is the explantation of the existing implants.  On balance, if I had to pick my favorite of those two options, and I had a patient who was amenable to considering a two stage procedure, I might select the two stage approach with removal first followed by the more definitive procedure as a second stage after weight loss, because this allows nature the maximum opportunity to help us out and it may cut down on what we need to do to the breasts, thereby eliminating some element of human error.  I suggest you take this information from RealSelf and visit a board certified plastic surgeon with experience in revision breast surgery to get his or her input and advice.  Good luck.

I think it is always safest to lose as much weight as possible before doing any surgical procedure.  Certainly, if you plan to have a breast lift, you should lose all the weight you desire before surgery.  Losing weight after a breast lift could result in loss of breast volume and sagging of the tissue.  Obviously, this could adversely affect your result.  If your plan is to just remove your implants, I think you could proceed with surgery at any time. 

I would suggest removing them sooner than later. Your breasts are quite large and you know you want to be smaller.  I would not do the lift until your weight has stabilized, but there is a recent study showing that the breast volume increased as much as 20% after implant removal.  Since you have saline implants you might want to consider having the implants deflated (can easily be done in the office setting). I can't tell much from this picture  but it looks like the implants are sitting high and the breast tissue is kind of falling off the front of the implant.  If this is the case you will lose some volume in the upper pole when they are deflated.  This will also give you a better idea of how much breast tissue you have and wether you want some additional volume removed at the time of the lift.  Your breasts will probably get smaller if you do go on to lose the 30 lbs you are planning to lose.

It is likely that you will be fine either way but generally speaking, safety of surgery is increased when patients are at their long-term stable weight. Given that the surgery planned is elective, with no urgency involved, probably in your best interest to wait and reduce risk.  You may find the attached link, dedicated to breast implant removal concerns, helpful to you. Best wishes.

If it's just the implant removal, you can do that anytime.  If, however, you're considering having a lift also (at the same time or later), I would advise waiting several months after you've completed your weight loss.  That will give your body a chance for the tissues to contract down on their own, to the extent that they will, before doing the surgery.  I would generally consider that that will be most likely to give you the best result.In short:  if you're just removing the implants you can do that anytime.  If you're considering a lift also, then complete your weight loss before undergoing the surgery.I hope that this helps and good luck,Dr. Alan EnglerMember of RealSelf100

Dear Nola,There is no problem with removing your implants before you achieve your weight loss goal. However, if you do intend to have a breast lift, it would be best to reach your target weight before surgery in case you lose some of your breast volume. Since you have saline implants, it is possible to deflate them now to achieve a non-surgical "removal" (the silicone envelope would remain in place). This would reduce the size of your breasts, facilitate the shrinking of the skin  and then when you lose your weight, the empty implant can be removed at the time of your lift. Best wishes

If you are going to have the implants removed and get a new lift at the same time, definitely wait until your weight loss is complete. If it is just a matter of removing the implants it doesn't matter re your weight.