Breast Implants: Q&A

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How to Avoid Double Bubble?

Is there anything I can do to avoid double bubble deformity after getting breast implants?

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19 Doctor Answers | Asked by Jen G

Doctor Answers (19)
Community Comments (0)

Avoiding the Double Bubble

The main way to avoid the Double Bubble is to stay within the confines of your own anatomy. When a surgeon chooses breast implants, they take multiple measurements of your anatomy--one of which is the distance from your natural breast fold to the nipple under stretch. This distance defines a range of implants that will look natural after surgery (ie: the nipple is in the center of the breast volume.) If for some reason you really want MORE volume, your surgeon might... more

The Double Bubble Breast following augmentation with implants

Double bubble has been used to refer to different conditions and therefore clarification is necessary. In one instance, it refers to a constricted breast sitting on a visible implant creating a "pyramid on a dome" look. In other situations, it has been used to describe a ptotic (sagging) breast over a high riding implant also called the "snoopy deformity). Depending on the condition different surgical approaches, implants or solutions may be used to minimmize, treat, or... more

Otto Joseph Placik, MD

32 reviews

Chicago Plastic Surgeon

Double bubble and breast implants

The double bubble happens when the implant falls below the old fold. The old fold does not stretch out and looks tethered. This can happen from overdissection of the pocket, and also from a natural progression of the descent of the implant. Surgery is required to correct this.

Steven Wallach, MD

12 reviews

Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Preventing double bubble

One common reason for a double bubble deformity is placement of an implant that lowers the fold, as Dr. Rand has mentioned, and the old fold retains its memory. This is particularly a problem when there is a tight (constricted) lower pole and too large of an implant is placed, or when the breast is droopy and no lift is performed.

Agree and disagree

Please understand that there are situations where the crease must be lowered to properly position the implant. Obviously, a detailed conversation with the surgeon will outline the pros and cons of doing so - a potential double bubble being one such con.

Good surgeon will avoid double bubble after breast implants.

Hi. The double bubble deformity after breast implants is almost always a technical error. Your surgeon has to plan the right operation for your anatomy, and then create exactly the correct implant pockets.

A lift may be required with implants to prevent the "double bubble" look

Hello - You may want to consider a lift with your augmentation. The "double bubble" look may occur when the implants are placed and the breast tissue then falls over the implant creating excess skin at the lower portion of the breast. Therefore, lifting the breast tissue can help prevent this look. For the type of lift that you may need, consult with your plastic surgeon as there are several different types.

Double bubble after breast augmentation

Recognizing which patients are more at risk to get a double bubble is the first step in the process. There are maneuvers that can be carried out at the time of surgery to minimize the double crease (bubble) but depending on the patients anatomy, and the goals of the surgery, there may yet be some degree of the old fold remaining.

Double Bubble After Breast Augmentation

The "double bubble" deformity isn't something you, as a patient, can prevent. Life, genetics and gravity work against the female breasts to continue to age them. After augmentation these factors continue to age the breasts. The result can be a sagging of the breast. The breast implant will remain in its surgically created position due to the capsule that forms around it. Anatomically it really can't move. So the breast descends. This, well, is unfortunate because the... more

The Double Bubble breast deformity

Hi there- The double bubble breast deformity should be extremely rare with good technique and an experienced surgeon. The anatomy is well described by my colleagues below- The best way to prevent this from happening to you, as well as any other complication, and to maximize your safety and chances of being happy, is to do your homework and choose a surgeon well. How to do this? Read on: In a previous entry, I described how common it is for patients who contact my Orlando plastic surgery... more

Avoiding a "Double Bubble" Breast Augmentation Deformity

The "Double Bubble" Breast Augmentation deformity is the transverse band of the native breast superimposed on the base of the augmented breast. It is the result of the interaction a combination of factors: failure to completely release the old breast fold indentation when making a pocket for the breast implant, significant lowering of the breast fold and or using a larger breast implant. The condition is NOT related to anything the patient can do but much more to complete... more

Is there any specific reason for your concern

This a complication of the breast augmentation and it is more common in patients with tubular deformity or constricted breast. There is nothing patient can do to prevent this.

Kamran Khoobehi, MD

28 reviews

New Orleans Plastic Surgeon

Avoiding double bubble troubles

Although the common wisdom is that the double bubble contour is related to the original fold of the bottom of the breast creating a tight band when the fold has to be lowered, there is another contributing factor in my experience. This relates to the pectoral muscle being detached which is a routine part of the standard submuscular (dual-plane) technique. Because the natural attachment of the muscle is higher that the fold, it has to be detached or the implant would sit too high and the... more

Avoiding double bubble deformity

The double bubble deformity is basically a mismatch between the implant chosen and the patient's normal breast mound. This can occur over time as the breast and implant move in relationship to each other, either due to upward movement of the implant caused by capsular contracture, or downward of the breast gland due to gravity or downward drift of the implant. It can also occur immediately due to a misplacement of the implant in relationship to the breast (too high or too low) or a poor... more

Robin T.W. Yuan, MD

4 reviews

Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon

Double bubble from breast implants

I think that the double bubble sometimes comes from having the implants under the muscle and the muscle contraction causing a line across the breast. I rarely see a double bubble with the implants under the breast tissue only.

Double-bubble deformity and breast implants

The best way to prevent this is to go an experienced plastic surgeon who does breast augmentations on a regular basis. This is all in the surgeon's hands, and unfortunately there's nothing you can do personally to prevent this. Best wishes.

Double bubble has many factors

I agree with Dr. Rand. The 'double bubble' deformity is based on the anatomy of the chest wall to the breast, the technique used, the expertise of the surgeon. This should be discussed in detail prior to the operation - informed consent issue. Regards from Miami

Preventing a double bubble after breast augmentation

It is more up to your surgeon that to you to prevent a double bubble deformity. As long as your natural inframammary crease is preserved, there can be no double bubble. A DB deformity occurs when the crease is lowered and the old crease is still present and causes a dent across the lower pole.