Breast Augmentation with Prominent Sternum?

I had a consultation on Breast Augmentation. I have a prominent sternum, and my nipples are slightly to the side. I asked the doctor if it's possible to have some nice cleavage after Breast Augmentation.

He proposed to keep the Breast implants centered under the nipples, but extend the pockets a little bit toward the center of the chest, so when I put on my bra, I can have some nice cleavage. I wonder what complication this would cause? Should I still ask for a cleavage?

I want a safe BA that would cause the least complication and lowest risk possible both in the short and long term.

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11 Doctor Answers | Asked by Mayflower in US

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Prominent sternum (pectus carinatum) and breast implant augmentation surgery

Yes, it can be difficult to create sufficient cleavage in patients with prominent sternum (pectus carinatum) following breast implant augmentation surgery. Furthermore over time the breast implants tend to slide outwards and down the chest incline. In these patients, I frequently advise them to wear nocturnal support garments to minimize this tendency when supine

Otto Joseph Placik, MD

32 reviews

Chicago Plastic Surgeon

Breast augmentation with a prominent sternum

It sounds as though your plastic surgeon has a good plan for you without actually meeting you in person. Breast implants are wonderful for improving cleavage while increasing the size of your breasts. There are many different ways of putting in the implants, so make sure you review this with your surgeon. Also, breast augmentation has very few bad potential complications, so you should be okay in the short and long term. Check out some before and after photos before you make your final... more

Breast Augmentation with prominent sternum?

Your condition is called Pectus Carinatum ( latin for "bird like" chest") A lot of good advice has been given on this forum, I would only add that the best option for you will be to use a High Profile implant. The high profile implant projects more from the chest wall, counteracting the effect of the prominent sternum. I hope the link I provide below will help you understand the whole issue of projection and chest types a little better. It goes into high placed implants... more

Breast augmentation and prominent sternum.

Hi! In NYC, we regularly see women with your anatomy. (it's called pectus carinatum.) And breast augmentation is safe and effective. The operation has to be modified a little bit, but you can expect cleavage, It sounds like your surgeon understands the problem.

Cleavage and a wide chest

Implants placed under the muscle will prevent further cleavage. Placing implants above the muscle may allow for more cleavage, but be careful what you wish for. If you push to get more cleavage, you may get a symmastia, or a "uni-boob."

Steven Wallach, MD

12 reviews

Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Augmentation on a wide chest will reduce cleavage

Breast augmentation in the strictest sense is enhancement of the natural breast. There are certain characteristics which are present that can be softened by the process of breast augmentation, but if the chest is wide and broad and the nipple widely spaced cleavage will be reduced and there is no effective way to erase this characteristic from the breast. The implant must be centered within the breast under the nipple and any attempt to move the implant toward the center of the chest would... more

Prominent breast bone

There's nothing that can be done about your prominent breast bone, at least nothing reasonable. You need to have a standard breast augmentation done and your breast bone will still be prominent. If your nipples point a little to the sides, they'll appear to point a little more towards the sides just as a natural effect of the surgery. Remember that the augmentation will enhance every aspect of your breasts (both good and not so good). Ultimately, you'll still be very excited about your... more

A thought on Breast Aug

In performing a breast augmentation, evaluation of the patient including the patient's goals, and the patient's physical presentation are key to achieving a successful result. With this information, proper selection of implant can be made. It is important for U. the prospective patient to understand what happens to the implant dimensions as the size changes. Simply stated, round implants hold a volume of fluid which is either saline or silicone gel. As the implant gets larger they hold... more

How to get cleavage with breast implants

Hello, You've asked a question that I answer commonly, which is how to "create" cleavage in someone who naturally widely placed breasts. I don't agree with dissecting a breast pocket more towards the center in order to create more cleavage -- in the end, the nipples will appear off-center, and if too much muscle is dissecting in the center, your implants could even start drifting to the other side. My suggestion is to continue using certain types of bra, after breast implants,... more

Customize your surgery

If your priority is to achieve cleave, this will dictate a certain width and placement of your implants. Generally speaking, if your breast are shaped normally and your nipples are widely spaced, you will need a fairly wide implant to achieve cleavage. A round implant may become too tall vertically and you might need to go to a shaped implant that is wider than it is tall. Yu and your surgeon need to go throug your priorities and customize your surgery. Simply choosing a wide implant, or... more

Robin T.W. Yuan, MD

4 reviews

Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon

Accept your underlying shape!

If your breast bone is prominent and your breasts point to the sides, that's the way nature made you and nothing a plastic surgeon can do will fundamentally change that. Your surgeon may try to move the pockets towards the center, but that sets up three possible problems. First, if they divide the muscle along the breastbone, then you will see visible implant edges and will have an uncorrectable deformity. Second, if the implants are moved too far towards the center and the nipples are wide,... more