Question about breast implants and revisions

[MidnightKat]

I had my BA done in  09.  Because of my frame I went with a larger implant, 800cc from Mentor, under the muscle. (I know they're big!)  Unbeknown to me, the surgeon over filled the implant by 50cc, making it a total of 850cc.  I was not happy with how big they were so I went back for a revision in which he removed 50cc, making it the original 800cc. I still feel they are too big, however I don't feel going to a smaller implant would be good as I don't want a huge gap in my breasts, etc.  My question is can they be reduced more?  I was told that he couldn't remove anymore, but unsure why.

[A]

Just guessing, but the two reasons I see are:

-You've been stretched a lot by the implants, and it wouldn't be very pretty to remove them, as skin would be wobbly.
-If the surgeon removed any more material from the implant, it would get wobbly, like a deflated balloon. That would make its shape unstable, and perhaps allow it to slip away in the wrong place, on top of carrying the risk of perhaps pinching some tissue between two folds of it when it moves.

I'd say the second hypothesis is the most likely. In that case, you'd have to go for a new implant entirely.

[JennX]

If you don't mind sharing, what was your approximate height, weight, and chest size back in 2009? There's a specific mathematical formula most BA surgeons follow or at least use as a guideline when choosing the implant size. Sounds like the surgeon may not have done this.

[MidnightKat]

Let's see I am 5'9/10"  I weighed around 167ish.  My chest circumference is 38inch.  When I went in for the consult he suggested that I went with something bigger due to the width of my chest. 

[JennX]

Let's see I am 5'9/10"  I weighed around 167ish.  My chest circumference is 38inch.  When I went in for the consult he suggested that I went with something bigger due to the width of my chest.

Here's a link further discussing the formula I mentioned above: http://www.thebestbreast.com/articles_excerpt2.php

I'm 6' and 160 lbs. and 36" inch chest, and 800cc would look way huge on me. The biggest I'd go personally, is 350-400cc but that again depends on how much breast growth you've had on HRT and before. I do notice most docs like to go BIG. Not sure why this is. I guess they don't want patients to be disappointed?

Anywho, it sounds like he used too large of an implant. As for not being able to make them smaller, that makes no sense to me either. Breast reductions or people getting smaller implants happens all the time.

[A]

JennX, getting smaller implants, all right, but removing material from the present implant might be a bad idea. I think that's what the doctor means. And getting a new implant would cost more.

[luna nyan]

Hi Midnightkat,

I had a quick look around regarding your breast implant type.  I believe that you probably had a mentor adjustable saline implant placed from what you're saying.  The implant is only adjustable in the first 6 months after placement, after which the tube/valve must be sealed to maintain integrity of the implant.  That would be the reason why your doctor said he couldn't do anything more to it.  The only remaining option at this point would be to remove and replace the implants.

Unless it's really really annoying you, I would recommend leaving things as they are.  BAs generally need revision (replacement) around the 10-15 year mark due to various reasons (hardening, rupture, capsular contraction, etc etc).  Each revision will introduce more scar tissue in the area so it's best to leave well enough alone in most cases.

[MidnightKat]

Thank you for the replies everyone.  I think I am going to go with Luna's advice and not seek out further sergery.  Pehaps around the 10ish year mark I will see about going smaller. =)