We are leaders in cosmetic surgery, facial aesthetics, and medically supervised weight loss, serving the entire San Francisco Bay area. Whether you live in the Bay Area or are coming in from out of town, we’re happy to answer any questions you may have on your path to your new self. Book your cosmetic surgery intro call or Med Spa consultation today and take the first step towards realizing the look you’ve always wanted for yourself.
Getting Smaller Implants - 700cc to 500cc Feasible?
Implants can increase the amount of skin you have on your breasts through tissue expansion (this same concept is used for breast reconstruction). Downsizing your implants still leaves the expanded soft tissue envelope. Removing implants or reducing the size can lead to sagging breasts. Most of the time a 200 cc implant size difference will need more than a circumareolar mastopexy to provide a lasting result and a good shape. The mastopexy design that can be an alternative is a Wise pattern mastopexy (the anchor design scar). This provides an excellent lasting lift but the trade-off is a larger scar. In the end, it depends on how much ptosis you have now, but a high profile 700 to a 500cc moderate plus profile will likely require some sort of lift. In addition, your tuberous breast reconstruction may make your breasts more susceptible to sagging.
Clinical Context
When implants are removed or downsized, the skin and tissue that stretched to fit them doesn't shrink back on its own. This is why larger size reductions often need a lift, not just implant removal. Surgeons judge this by examining your skin elasticity and degree of sagging in person — photos or other patients' results can't predict your own outcome. A smaller lift (circumareolar) works for modest changes; bigger reductions usually need a more extensive lift with a longer scar.
