Breast Implants Q&A

80%

WORTH IT RATING

1,008 Reviews

Ask a Question

View Before and Afters

Average Breast Implants Cost: $6,000

Learn about Breast Implants

4,917 people and 831 doctors are talking about Breast Implants

Get Free Email Updates

Underwire Bra for 6 Weeks to Correct Dropped Implants?

asked 2 years ago by erickak in Rescue
Latest answer by Armando Soto, MD
Question viewed 1,265 times
Tags: breasts

I had breast implant TUBA procedure on June 10, 2009. Immediately after surgery (next day), my right breast looked like the implant had dropped (not a lot but a noticeable bubble was present). My surgeon said that to correct the problem, I need to wear an underwire bra 24/7 for 6 weeks and the pocket should heal in the right place. Is this a good way for the problem to be fixed or should it be surgicaly repaired?

Read my review "Implants to Correct Lost Volume Due to Weight Loss"

11 answers to Underwire Bra for 6 Weeks to Correct Dropped Implants?

Problems with a TUBA augmentation

There are several problems with the TUBA procedure and you have encountered one of them. It is not easy to be as precise in the pocket creation from so far away as compared to an incision in the crease or around the areola. Your surgeon may have needed to lower your crease to fit in the implant but this opens the possibility of a double bubble or a bottomed out implant. In the early phase of recovery an underwire bra may splint the crease in a proper location and save the day. You should... more

Richard P. Rand, MD, FACS
Seattle Plastic Surgeon

Double Bubble fix

It's only been about two weeks since your TUBA, so this non-medical, non-surgical solution is probably worth a try. Do be diligent with wearing the underwire bra, which acts much like a splint for a sprained ankle, allowing the tissues to heal in the optimal position. I agree that avoiding exercises, which cause pressure on the lower pole (the area of skin between the nipple and the fold), should be tabled for the same amount of time. If this doesn't work and you need a surgical revision... more

Lavinia Chong, MD
Orange County Plastic Surgeon

TUBA Problems

One of the disadvantages of performing a TUBA is that you do not have precise control of the implant pocket . A band or tight bra may help reset the fold in place....but it may not. It couldn't hurt to try it. I suggest that if you need a revision, you have a more traditional approach ( inframammary or periareolar).

Steven Wallach, MD
Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Solving low implant

This is a low risk, possibly effective, methodespecially if you start it immediately post-op. You should just want and see. Implant position is not necessarily stable as the pocket forms, scar is deposited, and the capsule contracts or stretches so there is some ability to manipulate the position. If it is not successful, then you might need to go to plan B or surgical correction (through a different incision) if it is "bad" enough. These are the disadvantages of the TUBA approach... more

Robin T.W. Yuan, MD
Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon

Problems with TUBA procedure

The approach you describe does have a small chance of working considering that you are still in the very early stages of healing. While the fold location may be raised, thus correcting your problem, by wearing an underwire bra, you do have a chance of the implants healing in a pocket which is too high. Unfortunately, the best and most definitive approach to treat this is to have the position of the implant revised surgically, but you never know and surgical could always be done later if... more

Brian S. Glatt, MD
Morristown Plastic Surgeon

Underwire bra for poorly positioned breast implant after TUBA

Hi there- As much as I would like to tell you that this might correct your problem, I really think that the chances of success are very, very slim, because for the little bit of support that external compression via the wire provides you, there is a much stronger force pulling the implant down to the lowest point in the pocket (gravity). I can tell you that even when I correct poorly positioned implants surgically, this downward force is formidable, and can only be overcome with meticulous... more

Armando Soto, MD
Orlando Plastic Surgeon

www.DrArmandoSoto.com

External compression may be helpful

A non surgical method such as wearing a tight fitting bra to set and develop the inframammary crease is a good option at two weeks. The capsule around the breast implant really forms during the first 3 - 4 weeks. It is possible that this tight compression may help you set the crease. It is certainly worth a try and if not successful then a surgical procedure to raise the crease will be needed.

Jeffrey Zwiren, MD
Atlanta Plastic Surgeon

Underwire bra will not correct dropped breast implants

I am sorry to say that wearing an underwire bra after the TUBA or any other type of breast augmentation will not correct dropped breast implants or bottoming out of a breast implant. The problem is that the breast implant surgical pocket is too low, the tissues beneath the breast tissue are open and the presence of the breast implant prevents the open tissues from healing and closing the pocket. A surgical procedure to close the breast implant pocket will be required. No external method... more

Brooke R. Seckel, MD
Boston Plastic Surgeon

www.drseckel.com

The implant will settle lower

If the pocket is dissected lower on one side, it will most likely heal that way. This is a problem that can occur with the TUBA procedure but to be honest, it can happen with any augmentation procedure, just more commonly with TUBA. I would follow your plastic surgeon's instructions but if it heals too low, the only solution will be an incision on the breast to repaire the pocket. Best of luck. Dr Edwards

Michael C. Edwards, MD
Las Vegas Plastic Surgeon

www.medwardsmd.com

I am afraid the underwire bra is not going to help.

Hi. I hate to be the bearer of bad news, and of course you should not consider further surgery for several months anyway. But I have a pretty big experience with breast augmentation in Manhattan, and my experience tells me you will probably need a revision. After breast augmentation, the breasts should look great right away. We put the patient up in a sitting position (you are still under anesthesia, of course) BEFORE the end surgery. This way we can tell for sure if the breasts look... more

George J. Beraka, MD
Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Try non-surgical attempt first

In this situation it is likely better to try the non-surgical attempt first to help the positioning of the implant. The length of time (six weeks) is to allow the tissues to scar into place. Good luck.