Are there less issues associated with smaller breast implants? can this be done at the same time as a tummy tuck?

Question

Is there less issues with smaller implants and how common is BII? I only want to fill out deflation and loose skin and would not want to be bigger then a full a or b. I had a breast lift 3.5 years ago. I'm worried about getting sick from my implants tee doing research. Also is it safe to do a tummy tuck at the same time?I have excellent muscles but loose skin from pregnancies. I've had my stomach looked at and do not need any muscle repair.

Gary M. Horndeski, MD · Answer

Smaller implants have less problems in terms of descent. However, the associated BII is still unknown. Your initial breast lift was inadequate. You may benefit more from a repeat breast lift than breast implants. Also, a tummy tuck can be done at the same time.

Best Wishes,

Gary Horndeski, M.D.

Best Wishes,

Gary Horndeski, M.D.

Alan Gonzalez, MD, FACS · Answer

Hello @Samantha33396, thank you for your question. No, what may causes issues is a reaction of the organism to external factors such as implants no matte how big or small they are. In some people, this illness results in an autoinflammatory response, which affects different body systems and generates a range of symptoms. In order to determine if the two procedures can be done at the same time, your case needs to be evaluated during a consultation. For more information and recommendations, consult one or several board certified plastic surgeons. Best wishes! Alan Gonzalez MD, FACS. International Federation for Adipose Therapeutics and Science Member (IFATS), American Society of Plastic Surgery Member (ASPS), Colombian Society of Plastic Surgery member (SCCP).

Brian K. Reedy, MD · Answer

Thanks for your question.
Smaller implants will not cause any more post op issues than larger implants. Schedule a consultation with a board certified plastic surgeon to discuss your options. Best wishes!

Emmanuel De La Cruz, MD · Answer

Smaller breast implants generally entail fewer complications compared to larger ones. Smaller implants tend to have less impact on the body's tissues and structures, potentially leading to a smoother recovery and a reduced risk of complications such as capsular contracture or back pain.

Combining a breast augmentation (whether with smaller or larger implants) with a tummy tuck is a common practice known as a Mommy Makeover. Doing both procedures simultaneously can be beneficial as it consolidates recovery time, reducing overall downtime and potentially cost.

However, it's crucial to discuss your goals and expectations with a board-certified plastic surgeon. They will assess your individual anatomy, health status, and desired outcomes to determine the feasibility and safety of combining these procedures. While combining surgeries is generally safe for many patients, it might not be advisable for everyone due to individual health considerations.

William Andrade, MD · Answer

Hello, it is common for breast augmentation to be done at the same time as a tummy tuck.  Smaller implants may have a lower risk of certain problems like premature sagging or visible/palpable ripples, but other risks like capsular contracture and rupture might be similar regardless of the size of the implants.  Breast implant illness is controversial and not well-understood.  If there is some uncommon adverse reaction to breast implants, it seems likely that it could happen regardless or their size.

Kenneth Hughes, MD · Answer

Tall women with large frames and broad chests, shoulders, and hips can often handle larger implants that would make smaller women's chests look overcrowded and heavy. Realize that implants of 600cc and higher will lead to more tissue thinning over time, have more potential for rippling, more potential for bottoming out, greater likelihood of breast lift revisions because the breast tissue and skin may not be able to support them. 
TT and BAM can be performed during the same surgery.

Miguel Mota, MD · Answer

Hello Samantha, very good questions. Breast Implant Illness is very very rare and if diagnosed it is very easily treated with implant removal. I’ve only seen one case in the last 20 years and it wasn’t too bad. I removed them and the patient felt better almost immediately. Size doesn’t really make a difference for BII.

Tummy tucks and breast implants are very commonly combined as long as pre-op labs and evaluations permit. Liposuction can also be combined to improve the overall shape. Hemoglobin levels, age, underlying health issues, BMI and body type are some of the factors taken into account when choosing the right patient for a mommy makeover. Not all patients qualify but from what I can gather, I do not see any reason why not to combine these procedures in you case.

Best of luck,
Dr. Miguel Mota

Lane Smith, MD · Answer

Based on the photos you provided, you appear to be a superb candidate for a Mommy Makeover. You should get a significant improvement of your belly by removing the excess skin. The size of the breast implant is entirely your decision. You should confer with your surgeon and select a size that is most suited for you. In regards to the size of the implant, there is very little downside in breast implant surgery regardless of the size. Regarding your second question, yes, you can do both the breast implant and the tummy tuck at the same time.  In fact, it would be beneficial to have them both completed at the same time.

Zoran Potparic, MD · Answer

Based on these, very limiting photos, you seem to be a good candidate for a small abdominoplasty and breast augmentation with implants. BII is still not very well defined medical entity, with lots of different clinical signs and presentations, but no clinical markers (tests) to confirm condition. It is unknown whether size (volume) of implants has to do anything with a condition. There is a lot of available information about BII on internet. Hope this helps. Good luck.

Hampton A. Howell, MD · Answer

Hi.  Breast implants can typically be very safely placed at the same time as a tummy tuck in a healthy patient.  The implant size does not have anything to do with breast implant illness.  Breast implant illness is somewhat poorly understood, that there are many women who tolerate breast implants very well, and that topic is worth discussing with your surgeon to make sure you are comfortable proceeding forward.  I would recommend consulting with a board certified plastic surgeon with good experience with both breast augmentation as well as tummy tucks and certainly doing those together, commonly referred to as a mommy makeover.
Good luck and take care, 
Dr. Howell

Are there less issues associated with smaller breast implants? can this be done at the same time as a tummy tuck?

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