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Can I Correct Breast Pocket w/o Surgery 3 Weeks Post Op?

asked 1 year ago by alginep in Mpls, MN
Latest answer by Joseph M. Perlman, MD
Question viewed 516 times
Tags: silicone implant, 300-349cc, anchor, non surgical, pocket

I'm 3 weeks post op BA/BL (339cc silicone/anchor). At my last appt (10dpo) my dr. noted that while in a reclined position my left implant slides upward & laterally toward my underarm. He easily slipped it back inward/downward & didn't seem overly concerned. He told me to "encourage" it to remain in the inward/downward position & start wearing a supportive bra. Can you tell me what's going on? It still slides, should I wear a band to stop it? Why doesn't the right breast "slide" like this?

13 answers to Can I Correct Breast Pocket w/o Surgery 3 Weeks Post Op?

Large breast pocket

At 3 weeks post op the only option is immobilization with a bra or tape to try to stabilizte the implant more medially and inferiorly. The more important question, is whether you will even need correction. Many times, the implants will slide more on one side than the other. If this does not cause noticeable assymmetry and you are not bothered by it, then no treatment is recommended. I would however suggest that you follow through with the support bra, and... more

Beverly Friedlander, MD
Short Hills Plastic Surgeon

Changes after breast augmentation

Frequently there are difference in how the two breasts heal, and often these asymmetries correct on their own with time. Since only 3 weeks have passed since your surgery, you should follow your plastic surgeon's advice and allow more time before considering surgical revision.

Olivia Hutchinson, MD
New York Plastic Surgeon

Overly large implant pocket can be treated

You are correct in noting that one implant is moving abnormally. As others have suggested, your pocket (the space created to hold the implant) is too large on that side. Non-surgical measures early on can be helpful. A supportive bra or a band to hold the implant in it's correct position while a capsule forms around can be helpful. However unless you are absolutely vigilant and immobilize the implant 24/7 there is a reasonable chance that the pocket will still be... more

Martin Jugenburg, MD
Toronto Plastic Surgeon

Implant position

Sometimes the pocket becomes too large and causes the problem that you are describing. It may or may not get better over the next few weeks. Follow closely with your surgeon.

Steven Wallach, MD
Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Maybe.

Your description indicates that this side is too big for the implant allowing it to slide to the side. There are only 2 ways to treat this. One is surgically narrow the compartment containing the implant. The other is to hold the implant in the proper position and hope the lining of the compartment will shrink enough to hold the implant in the proper place. This can possibly be done with a standard bra or a bra special made for this problem. You would... more

E. Anthony Musarra II, MD
Atlanta Plastic Surgeon

DISPLACING IMPLANT

It appears from your description that the implant is shifting or displacing in a superiolateral position. This can only occur if the pocket is too large. At this time the pocket has already developed a lining and is fairly well established. Conservative measures may help. Your suggestion of wearing a strape to hold the implant down is a good one. Taping will cause too much skin irritation. I would wear a supportive bra when you are tired of using a strap... more

Todd B. Koch, MD
Buffalo Plastic Surgeon

Implant Migration

The description suggests an oversized implant pocket out towards the side. At this point, would suggest external taping and a supportive bra for several months to keep the implant centralized behind the breast while the peri-implant capsule is still forming. It this proves unsuccessful, the eventual capsule may need to be surgically reduced (Lateral Capsulorrhaphy) to match the implant, about six months after the initial procedure. more

Stephan Baker, MD
Miami Plastic Surgeon

When to do a pocket correction

Although I can't give you a definitive answer without examining you, it sounds like your pocket may be too large for the implant. You can try to support it by wearing a bra or taping the breast but usually it will require a second procedure to close the pocket. If that is the case I would wait at least 3 months before doing that to allow the capsule to mature. It will make the surgery and the recovery much easier and faster. Be patient and follow up with... more

Steven Schuster, MD
Boca Raton Plastic Surgeon

www.schusterplasticsurgery.com

Breast implant slip out of position after augmentation

In the best of circumstances the implant pocket should match the size of the implant and hold it centered under the nipple. Even with a 'T' pattern breast lift the implant and pocket should fit one another. The support bra is a good idea, and we also would encourage the breast band, day and night for the next two weeks to hold the implant and breast together. We don't know exactly what was done and if the bra will 'work' but it certainly can't hurt your chances of a... more

Peter E. Johnson, MD
Chicago Plastic Surgeon

Breast Augmentation Asymmetry

Implants moving out of intended position early in the postoperative period are a cause for concern, but you would require a formal evaluation to truly delineate this problem. Most of the time, the only therapeutic option in this situation is to keep the implant as immobile as possible (with bands or tape) to keep it from moving into the undesired locations. At three weeks, your breast capsule may already have matured beyond this point, however. Best of luck to you.

Derek Lou, MD
Houston Plastic Surgeon

I'm not sure if it will correct without surgery

It sounds like the breast implant pocket has extended into the axillary region. If you wear a firm brassiere 24 hours a day, that kept the implant from migrating to this area, and wore it for three or four weeks, the problem may correct itself but the chances are pretty slim. You might be able to close this area off using an axillary approach. Discuss the different treatment options with your physician.

Joseph M. Perlman, MD
Houston Plastic Surgeon

Revising breast implants should wait until the swelling has resolved

I would recommend waiting about 3-6 months to revise the breasts. This will allow the swelling to resolve and allow the tissues to heal before revising your breasts.

Jeffrey E. Schreiber, MD
Baltimore Plastic Surgeon

Can I Correct Breast Pocket w/o Surgery 3 Weeks Post Op?

I to am very concerned. Very hard to advise without an in person examination. My guess is the pocket was dissected to laterally and superiorly. Again my guess. You can try to keep the implant in position by taping the superior and lateral areas with Hyperfix tape. Or stop using that arm in motions outward and upward. But in the end a capsulorraphy may be your only alternative. From MIAMI