Breast Implant Removal Complications

asked 3 years ago by zuelkea in fdl, wi. usa
Latest answer by Tom J. Pousti, MD
Question viewed 7,208 times
Tags: complication

I was explanted 5 weeks ago. My crease line incisions along with some of my cleavage muscle tends to push in (cleavage line) and pull up (incision) distorting my breasts when flexed. My doctor told me to massage since I have lots of scar tissue with my incisions. He also said my muscles looked good. Is this something that will heal with time?

11 answers to Breast Implant Removal Complications

Breast implant removal: Distortion of skin with movement of muscle

Breasts often don't look pretty when implants are removed. You know this can be an issue. What you are describing is when the muscle adheres to the skin. Your surgery is still new (I know a few weeks seems like an older surgery to you, but in healing terms, it is isn't.) I think your doctor's advice to massage is a great one. There is no way to heal without scar forming between your skin and muscle. Usually this does so in a nice way. If it... more

Lauren Greenberg, MD
Palo Alto Plastic Surgeon

Breast distortion with muscle contraction

I would continue the exercise and massage as instructed, In most instances, I have seen this distortion resolve with time and scar matureation.

Otto Joseph Placik, MD
Chicago Plastic Surgeon

Breast distortion after implant removal

This sounds like some early scarring to me. Your breast tissue and/or skin is adhering to the underlying muscle. I think your doctor is giving you some good advice to massage. Try massaging the area while your skin is soaped up the shower. The scar tissue will soften over several months and your problem may resolve. Stay is touch with your surgeon and if you still have distortion after 4 -5 months, you may need to have the scar released surgically... more

Lisa L. Sowder, MD
Seattle Plastic Surgeon

www.sowdermd.com

Massage can help improve the shape and appearance of scars

Quite often, post operative swelling and "sticky" tissues can create temporary distortion of shape and contour. Massage is a very effective way to "break up" sticky tissue also called adhesions. Massage can also improve the thickness and retraction caused by scarring. As always, you should consult your surgeon before beginning any post operative treatments.

Dev Wali, MD
Los Angeles Plastic Surgeon

Breast Implant Removal

Thank you for the question. It sounds like you're experiencing some early scar tissue adherence issues. I agree with the recommendations at your surgeon has provided. Hopefully with ongoing time and scar maturation these issues will improve. Best wishes.

Tom J. Pousti, MD
San Diego Plastic Surgeon

Deformity and Irregularities after Breast Implant Removal

After breast implant removal some swelling and irregularities can be expected, particularly if your breast implant removal was needed due to infection. Regardless, these problems settle down over time, and can be hastened by gentle massage. If large implants were removed then you may have sagging of your breasts and depending upon the amount of natural breast tissues present, you may need a mastopexy, or breast lift with or with out smaller implants depending on what size... more

Fredrick A. Valauri, MD
New York Plastic Surgeon

www.drvalauri.com

Explantation requires a massive body image readjustment

The appearance of your breasts, after explantation depends on many factors, including the volume of the implants, the time they were present, the plane in which they resided, the thickness of your overlying breast tissue are just a few to mention. In choosing explantation, you must have considered the options carefully. Please continue to work with your PS and be patient. The results can take up to a year to realize. I typically recommend both massage to assist in scar remodeling as... more

Lavinia Chong, MD
Orange County Plastic Surgeon

Distortion from breast surgery can occur

Distortion may occur in a breast implant surgery and massage most certainly can be helpful as well. I would follow your plastic surgeon's instructions carefully. Dr Edwards

Michael C. Edwards, MD
Las Vegas Plastic Surgeon

Distortion with muscle movement

Soemtimes the gland adheres to the undelrying pec muscle in a peculiar way and causes unsuual contraction deformities. This may be treated with alloderm or fat grafting.

Steven Wallach, MD
Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

It might....

Hello, The removal of breast implants without replacement does not always leave nice looking results. The tissues once stretched (by the implants) can fail to completely tighten once the implants are removed. This can be addressed by additional surgery most easily by placing another set of implants. Best Regards, John Di Saia MD

John P. Di Saia, MD
Orange Plastic Surgeon

Aesthetic result after breast implants are removed

The breast implants that had been placed have stretched out the tissue around them. When the implant is removed you will notice some sagging of the breast. If this displeases you, you may choose to have another implant put in its place or to receive a small breast lift.