Can silicone breast implants be deflated by a doctor using a syringe or other method?

Question

The reason being, I don't want them to be removed just yet but wish to go down in size partly due to weight loss and in part due to disliking how big they were. Another reason is that I suspect deflation would be far cheaper than a surgical removal. Is silicone too dangerous to be deflated in this way as opposed to saline due to increased risk of leakage into the body? What are your thoughts on this? Many thanks

Gary Lawton, MD, FACS · Answer

It is not possible to remove silicone from the implants.  The implants must be removed in their entirety.

Steven L. Ringler, MD, FACS · Answer

Thank you for your question.  Unfortunately, silicone breast implants cannot be deflated by using a syringe or by any other method. This technique is only possible with saline implants and even then it is a temporary measure until the implant can be removed.  To go down a size, you would need to have the implants removed and replaced by smaller implants. There is no other safe option. Best of luck to you.

Allen Gabriel, MD, FACS · Answer

Great question.  Unfortunately, silicone implants can not be deflated.  Saline implants can be deflated. If you consider a size change to a smaller implant, please follow up with your plastic surgeon and discuss your options. Best of luck.

Payman Danielpour, MD, FACS · Answer

Silicone breast implants cannot be deflated with a syringe or any other device. They have an outside shell that has to be removed physically. You might be confusing the removal of silicone from the implant pocket which there are variety of methods for that

Larry Pollack, MD · Answer

Unfortunately silicone gel implants cannot be deflated. If you decide to go down in size, you will need to have the entire implant replaced.  Good luck!

Can silicone breast implants be deflated by a doctor using a syringe or other method?

Answers (5)