Before and after deflation of saline breast implants in a 33 year old woman. She had a breast augmentation over 10 years ago. While she “had fun with them”, they no longer felt like they suited her lifestyle and future career as a professional. She was busy with work and school and wanted to see how she would feel without her implants.
She was considering either removal of her implants altogether or possibly downsizing to a smaller implant size. Saline implants carry with them a unique possibility for women who are considering having their implants removed but are not certain whether they would be happy without any sort of implant.
Deflation of saline implants can be performed in the office as a quick outpatient procedure. A needle is inserted through the skin at a site where the implant is most palpable (usually near the bottom of the breast). All the saline is removed, and the chest is wrapped tightly with an ACE wrap. It takes at least 2 weeks for the breast skin to start contracting and at least 2 months for the final outcome.
Most women end up right back where they started – with smaller breasts that retain the same size and shape. Many women are worried their skin will be all stretched out and deformed. I remind them that the volume of a breast implant is generally fairly small (less than 800 cc) and that they body has an incredible capacity for stretch and contraction – think a pregnant belly, which stretches over fifty times the volume of a breast implant!
The deflated, empty implant shells can be left in place as long as we like. There is no risk or harm to leaving the shells in place while patients return to exercise, work and decide whether they are “comfortable in their skin” or whether they would like a smaller implant placed. This patient is considering a smaller implant, but for now she is focusing on her new career.
Removal of the implant shells can be done in the office under local anesthesia any time in the future. This is usually done through the original augmentation scar. Downtime is around one to two weeks after this procedure (no exercise but return to work taking Tylenol plain the next day).
Follow up photos are shown at 2 months after saline implant deflation. A small fold of the implant shell can be seen when her arms are raised above her head. This is not bothersome to her; she appreciates being able to take things one step and a time and to make an informed decision about what steps she will take next.
*All photos are actual patient photographs and are for illustrative purposes only. Individual results may vary.
