Saline for 18 years then silicone, what should I expect to have to do to fix them? (Photo)

Question

Hi. I got my second implants in 2019 after having saline for 18 years. I loved my saline implants but the right one had 60 cc less so when I lost weight it became very noticeable. I then got silicon implants. I hate them , not just how they look , but how they feel too. They have never been soft, they are firm. What should I expect to hear from a doctor when I replace them?

Joshua T Halka, MD · Answer

Hello,
Looking at your picture, it appears that your left implant has "bottomed out", and is sitting lower than the right based on the nipple position and where the scar is sitting. This could be improved with either tacking the pocket to push the implant into the correct position, or doing this and adding mesh for reinforcement. 
Regarding your silicone implants, it is surprising to hear someone say that they feel harder than saline, often saline is noted to feel harder and people feel like silicone feels more natural. This may have been because your silicone implants are a thicker gel and your saline implants were underfilled, making the silicone feel harder and the saline feel softer, but this is hard to know. The other thing that may be going on is that you may have some degree of capsular contracture, meaning the scar tissue around your implants has thickened and is causing them to feel harder and change shape a bit.
I wouldn't say that there is anything wrong with swapping back to saline implants if that's what you wanted to do, but I wouldn't do so assuming they will feel softer, I think there are some other issues at play here. But atleast this information might give you a better idea of what might be going on so you can make the best decision with your future surgeon.
Hope this helps!

Gerald Minniti, MD, FACS · Answer

If they're hard, then you might have a scar capsule issue. Alternatively, if you have Natrelle Inspira or Mentor Xtra implants, both or which are optimally filled devices, you may want to switch to Sientra. You also have bilateral drop out, worse on one side. Go see Dr. Wendie Grunberg.

Gary M. Horndeski, MD · Answer

Your breasts are asymmetrical in volume, shape and position.  Your nipples are asymmetrical and your incision is higher on one side than the other.  Most likely you will need a circumareola approach to correct the nipple heights and you may need a revision of the pockets.  I would also recommend smaller implants.

Best Wishes,

Gary Horndeski, M.D.

Connie Hiers, MD, FACS · Answer

You may have capsules around the implants and one side is bottoming out from the weight. I would suggest going smaller, and go back to saline if you want.  You might need mesh as an internal bra for more support on the side that is sagging down.

Saline for 18 years then silicone, what should I expect to have to do to fix them? (Photo)

Answers (4)

Answer: Implants

Answer: Implants

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Saline for 18 years then silicone, what should I expect to have to do to fix them? (Photo)

Answers (4)

Answer: Implants

Answer: Implants

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Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Breast Implant Revision

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.