Breast augmentation surgery is among the most popular plastic surgery procedures and has a very high patient satisfaction rate. However, there are some patients who decide that the breast size they initially chose for their augmentation is now larger than they want to be.
These women often elect to undergo breast revision surgery to reduce the size of their breast implants. They may think their breast size is no longer age-appropriate or that their implant size no longer fits their body, their lifestyle, or the image they want to project. Women who have gained a significant amount of weight may develop pendulous breasts from the weight of overly large implants in addition to the excess breast tissue.
Don’t Rush Into Breast Revision
Some breast augmentation patients originally desire disproportionately large breasts but realize after surgery that their breasts are larger than they want. A common recommendation is for a patient to wait at least six months after their breast augmentation surgery before considering exchanging their implants for smaller (or larger) ones. This “waiting period” also allows for the final results to become apparent as the swelling resolves and muscles and skin accommodate the implants.
Many then decide that they are indeed happy with their selected implant size, but those who are still dissatisfied can elect to undergo breast revision.
How Is Implant Reduction Performed?
For breast augmentation patients who want to reduce their breast size yet still maintain some of the enlargement achieved with their initial surgery, our surgeon offers breast revision involving implant exchange to an appropriately smaller implant size. This surgery is performed under general anesthesia as an outpatient procedure and typically has little to no associated discomfort.
What Are My Options for Breast Revision?
Incision Location
The same incision used for the primary breast augmentation surgery can often be used again, especially if it was initially placed in the inframammary fold.
Implant Type
Patients may choose to replace their implants with the same type, or they may opt for silicone instead of saline or vice versa. The profile of the implant (the ratio of the height to the base width) may need to be changed in order to provide the best results.
Implant Placement
Typically, if the implants were originally placed in a submuscular pocket (beneath the pectoral muscle), the new ones will be inserted there as well. For patients whose implants were in a subglandular pocket (over the pectoral muscle), switching to submuscular placement may be a prudent choice depending on your needs.
Combining Procedures
Patients may choose to combine breast lift surgery with their breast implant reduction if they have significant sagging or are drastically reducing the size of their implants.
Recovery
Following surgery, a compression dressing is applied for a few days and then replaced with a form-fitting support bra. Most patients can return to work or school after a few days to a week, though they should avoid vigorous exercise and strenuous activity for two to three weeks. You will be given explicit instructions regarding your postoperative care and physical restrictions during recovery. To ensure the safest and most effective recovery possible, it is best to carefully follow all postoperative instructions.
Patients are usually very satisfied with the final results of their breast implant size reduction. They feel more confident about themselves knowing that their breasts are more appropriately suited for their body and lifestyle.
