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Saline Implants Sticking out Underneath Breast

I am a week out of breast augmentation. I have 250cc saline smooth implants under the muscle. And ever since day two I have noticed the left breast implant showing on the side and sticking out the bottom, making it hang lower, yet the nipples are symmetrical. Is this a problem or still possibly normal while it heals? My right breast has looked normal (minus minor swelling) from the beginning, which is way I am more alarmed with the left breast. Also, do they appear to be too far apart?

Asked 35 months ago by jenga in WI
Sort 12 expert answers by:
+2

Continue to see your plastic surgeon and discuss your concerns

I would continue to see your plastic surgeon in follow up and discuss your concerns with him. You are very early in the healing phase and have a long way to go. Optimal results following breast augmentation are not seen until 3-4 months postoperatively. Be patient! I wish you the very best and I hope this helps!
Stephen A. Goldstein, MD
Denver Plastic Surgeon
+1

Left pocket for breast implants looks too low.

Hi. 1) I see what you are talking about. It is subtle, but it is there, and I don't think it will go away. 2) Live with your breast implants for at least six months, before you contemplate a revision. Overall, your breasts look good. They are not too far apart.
George J. Beraka, MD
Manhattan Plastic Surgeon
+1

Wait several months after breast augmentation before worrying about positioning

It is too early post-op to be alarmed about positioning of the implants. It is difficult to see fromyour photographs. Discuss your conerns with your surgeon and wait patiently for things to settle down.
Steven Wallach, MD
Manhattan Plastic Surgeon
+1

You are very early post-op

You are very early post-op and you may be surprised how everything evens out as the swelling disappears and the implants settle. Without comparison to pre-op photos it is difficult to give you more specific advice. My only advice is to be patient and to follow closely with your surgeon. One other work of advice is to stop wearing that strap that is pushing down the implants. Good luck.
David Shafer, MD
New York Plastic Surgeon
+1

Talk to your surgeon

See my answer to your other inquiry. You need to wait until 6-8 months after surgery to determine if a revision is necessary. So be patient and enjoy your need shape.
Christopher L. Hess, MD
Fairfax Plastic Surgeon
+1

I wish I could tell you what the future holds

Jenga: You are an astute observer. There is a small difference in your photos. I have several difficulties in answering your questions. (Your surgeon is in a better position to answer for you.) I do not know your pre-op appearance. I do not know the details of your surgery. I know how patients typically recover with my own techniques, but not your surgeon's. I can tell you that many differences that are notable early after surgery improve with time and go away or become... more
Sutton Graham II, MD
Greenville Plastic Surgeon
+1

Implant appears too low

It appears that the implant is sitting too low and is causing a double bubble deformity. I would stop wearing the upper pole band and start 24/7 use of a good supportive bra. You may be able to get the implant to heal in a more elevated position. If not, you may need revisional surgery to close the lower implant pocket.
John Squires, MD
Denver Plastic Surgeon
+1

Take off that strap

If your implant on the right is riding too low, and it looks like it is, I would at least not wear the upper pole strap. If anything, it is helping to push the implant down and you don't need that. I personally never use those except every 2-3 years when I think an implant just isn't settling naturally to my expectations.
Richard P. Rand, MD, FACS
Seattle Plastic Surgeon
+1

Low implant and inframammary crease may need repair

I do see the asymmetry and the problem you are trying to explain. I wonder if the picture image is reversed—on the left side of the picture—which should be the right breast if the image is not reversed, the breast implant is lower than on the other side, and you see an indent above the bulging implant. The bulge you see below the breast is the implant bulging or falling below the infra mammary crease-the normal lower limiting border of the breast. Some call this a double... more
Brooke R. Seckel, MD
Boston Plastic Surgeon
+1

Look at your before photos

The best way to determine if an asymmetry is new or is to review your before photos with your surgeon. One risk of the surgery is asymmetry and sometimes it does require a revision to correct. You are only one week from your surgery and it would not be advisable to jump to conclusions so quickly. Discuss your concerns with your surgeon, point out what you see and ask to review your before pictures. Also be patient because the recovery period usually resolves most issues.
Bahram Ghaderi, MD
Chicago Plastic Surgeon
+1

Some asymmetry is normal

First, you have to determine what asymmetry existed vefore your surgery. This can be the volume, dimension, position,relative position of nipple to breast, relative position of breast to chest, amount and elasticity of skin, etc., etc. Second, the placement of the implant will not always, and in fact is rarely, perfectly symmetric often with one sitting a little higher or lower, or more medial or lateral, than the other. This can change over time as the implants move over the chest wall.... more
Robin T.W. Yuan, MD
Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon
+1

Hold on!

From the photo, I can not predict if you are too far apart. Time will tell that. The other issue you raise, in my experience is not due to the implant per se, but the muscle/breast tissue. From my experince (I have seen this a lot), you have thick tissue bands that are holding up the implant from expanding to its natural shape. Think of it like having a water balloon, and putting a rubber band around it, same concept. This may or may not self correct over time, as the tissues relax. ... more
Scott E. Kasden, MD
Dallas Plastic Surgeon
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