Can You Reduce the Size of Your Breast Implants?

Having breast augmentation surgery to increase the size of your breasts can be an emotional journey. In most cases, women enjoy the results as they navigate life with a larger breast size. They’re pleased with the way clothes fit better and their increased confidence.

But there are occasions when the increased breast size is not what they imagined. Or it’s simply that after many years being satisfied with the results, changes in the body have now rendered the implants too large. If this is you, you may be wondering if you can reduce the size of your breast implants.

The short answer is yes. However, it isn’t always a matter of swapping one pair of implants out for another. The experience will be different for every patient. And if your surgery was recent, there is one major question you need to ask yourself.

Do You Really Want to Reduce the Size of Your Breast Implants?

If it hasn’t even been a year since your breast augmentation, you’ll want to give yourself some time. It’s not unusual for patients to feel uncertain at first. For some, it can be challenging for the body and mind to adjust to the new size. Plus, in the early months when there is normal post-op swelling, it can make your new breasts appear even larger. In addition, they’ll be sitting up higher on your chest. Just know that this isn’t permanent.

Of course, this isn’t to say that if you’re completely dissatisfied for any reason you should just wait it out for a year. Your best bet is to consult your surgeon and discuss any concerns you have. He or she will work with you to find a viable solution.

On the other hand, if you’ve had your implants for many years and are now feeling that you want to decrease the size of your breasts, you’re likely working from a place of more certainty. So here’s what you should know.

You May Have More Choices This Time Around

If you had your breast augmentation more than ten years ago, you’ll be amazed at the much wider variety of implant sizes, shapes, and types of fillings.

For example, silicone is now available in varying degrees of thickness that allow the surgeon to fine-tune the feel and shape of the breast. Or perhaps this time you opt for gummy bear implants. No, they’re not filled with gummy bears. But these newer implants allow for more teardrop-shaped results.

During your consultation, your plastic surgeon will help you determine which route is best for you.

Your Revision May Require a Breast Lift Too

When you increase the size of your breasts, you also increase your breast volume. So it stands to reason that reducing implant size means you’ll also reduce that volume. If the skin and breast tissue don’t naturally contract on their own, you may have some sagging. In addition, if your nipple/areola size is currently proportionate with a larger implant, it may look too large with a smaller one.

In these cases, your surgeon may recommend a breast lift to firm up the breast shape and provide proportion for your nipple/areola to offer a more youthful breast shape.

Are You Ready to Downsize?

If you want to reduce the size of your implants, choose only a skilled and board-certified plastic surgeon who is experienced with revisions and secondary procedures.

So if you’re ready to start your journey, contact us today.

Our board-certified plastic surgeons will take into account your individual anatomy, the size and age of your original implants, and your desired size change to get you the results you’re envisioning. Let’s get started.