All implants descend over time

Edward S. Lee, MD answers: Is there a risk of high-profile Saline Breast Implants pushing out over time?

I am an A cup (12.5 width) and I wanted to go with about a 425cc saline implant. I know that in order to do this I would most likely have to get high-profile saline implants to achieve this size. However, I have heard that the chest muscles push these implants out and away from the center over time. What is the risk of this happening? Would it be better to go with a tear drop-shaped implant instead, or is the high-profile saline still the best choice?


Edward S. Lee, MD
12 months ago

Gravity affects objects of equal mass equally. This is a law of physics. So, it's not really the shape of the implant - high profile saline vs. anatomic implant - that leads to the implant moving lower. It's just gravity.

Over time, any and all breast implants will descend on the chest wall. This is true of natural breast tissue as well. Over time, natural breast tissue and breast skin will stretch, settle, and become ptotic. Gravity sucks.

An anatomic implant may move less in that these are often textured. The textured implants tend to "stick" in the position where they are placed. The textured surface that helps keep the anatomic implant from turning sideways - (just picture that teardrop shape sideways on your chest) - may help to keep it stuck to the chest wall so that it doesn't descend as much. This is just a theory though and I don't think there is any scientific evidence to support it.

So, what I'm trying to say is that either implant will provide you with a good result provided that you have a good surgeon. I prefer the round implants over the "shaped implants" except in select situations because of the fact that they can move and rotate.

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