I am almost 4 months post op, and the swelling has gone down. They're not as big as I thought they were going to be. I am wondering if they can be filled more, and how much more they can be.
This is a regret I hear all too often. No, your implants must be taken out and changed. Good luck.
Published on Jul 11, 2012
You have moderate profile implants that should be filled to 375 cc. Moderates do not look nearly as good as hi profile, which do not ripple. Moderates have scalloped edges and don't project much.
Published on Jul 11, 2012
You should be able to fill them, but be sure to take the advice of your surgeon and follow his protocol.
Published on Jul 11, 2012
A saline implant is basically like a balloon and can be filled more, though the manufacturer recommends overfilling it by only about 10%. They do lose their shape and become firmer the more they are overfilled.
Published on Jul 11, 2012
The reccommended fill is 350 to 400 cc, but sometimes 10% more will work.
Published on Jul 11, 2012
A Mentor style 1600 350cc saline implant is usually filled to 400cc. Therefore, plus 50cc from its base fill volume, that is what is recommended by the manufacturer. I have filled that type of implant to 425cc on rare occasions, however, the implant will fill firmer, and extensive over or under fill can lead to a higher incidence of implant rupture. I recommend you allow more time to heal before making a judgement on breast size, at least 6 months. If you still feel you would like to be larger, then consider an implant replacement with a new style 1600 implant with a larger base diameter. The next size implant Mentor offers is 375cc which is filled to 425cc. Not a large enough size increase to to make a significant difference. Now you are looking at a 425cc implant filled to 475cc (there is no Mentor style 1600 400cc implant). You may be happier with that size increase if the dimensions are appropriate for your breast/chest wall measurements. Discuss all the options with your surgeon. Take care.
Published on Jul 11, 2012
You will have to check with your Board Certified Plastic Surgeon. Typically these implant are over filled to help decrease the risk of wrinkling, edge palpability and thinning of the breast tissues over time.
Good Luck
Published on Jul 11, 2012
Surgically, an implant CAN be re-inflated several months after the primary augmentation. But it is NOT PRACTICAL. The two main reasons are: First, It may negate your warranty against spontaneous deflation because the fill ports are designed and warrantied for single use. And secondly, as one the fill volume of an implant exceeds its recommended fill range, the implant feels unusually firm and the breast may have both visible and palpable unnatural creases.
So if you want a larger result, it is recommended that you have a larger implant placed.
Published on Jul 11, 2012
It is not recommended to overfill saline implants to the degree necessary to see visible changes to your breast size after your initial surgery. Saline implants are almost always overfilled at the original surgery, and to see any meaningful change in your breast size would require 20% to 30% more volume. This would make the implant ball shaped, firm, and would cause traction rippling along the implant edges.
Published on Jul 11, 2012
The maximum fill volume recommended for a 350cc saline implant 400cc. Going larger than that is possible at time of fill but not recommended as a second procedure later. A better choice would be to exchange to a larger size implant in a second surgery.
Published on Jul 11, 2012
At this point in time of your recovery, it is still too soon to see the final results of surgery. I suggest waiting at least 6 months before deciding to remove and replace your implants with larger ones or add more saline to your current implants. Consult with a board certified plastic surgeon, if after 6 months you are still wanting to proceed with revisionary surgery. I recommend finding pictures of what look and size you want to achieve, to help your surgeon understand the size you are wanting to achieve. Whether or not he/she can use the same implants and add more saline to them will be determined after the examination and knowing more specifics about your first surgery.
I hope this helps.
Published on Jul 11, 2012
A 350cc saline implant can be overfilled to 500cc if need be. It would be very firm and rounded, but the implant could hold that much. If you have 350cc ( or something around that area) already, then to see a size change from what you have now, you would need to go up at least 125-150cc. In that case, you are better off changing the implants to something in the 450cc range and filling to around 500cc then trying to push your current implants. I hope this helps.
Published on Jul 11, 2012
You cannot fill an implant more after your surgery. You would have to have another surgery to replace the implant with a bigger one.
Published on Jul 11, 2012
While 10% overfill (i.e. 35cc) is extremely common, overfill of implants may result in voiding of the warranty, as well as peripheral scalloping of the edges of the implant.
Published on Jul 11, 2012