Breast Augmentation: Q&A

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Double Bubble - Can I Do Anything to Help Minimize or Get Rid of It Completely?

I had my surgery a week ago Monday and ended up with a bad case of the dreaded double bubble on both breasts. It looks like my implants have "bottomed out" and my doctor has me wearing a band across the top of my breasts to keep them in place. My inframammory folds were lowered during surgery to center the implant behind my nipples. The implant is clearly visible about an inch below my natural breast tissue even through a bra and shirt. Help! Is there anything i can do besides more surgery?

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15 Doctor Answers | Asked by Spokane2011 in Spokane, WA

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Double Bubble After Breast Augmentation: Reconstruction of the IMF

A double bubble in breast surgery can be used for to describe two different problems: the first is that the implant which was placed under the muscle has slipped below the infra-mammary fold (IMF), or the breast tissue has slipped off of the breast implant which can also be referred to as a "snoopy" deformity. It sounds like you had a congenital problem of a constricted lower breast pole with a high IMF which was "lowered" with the operation. These can be complicated... more

Double bubble deformity correction.

First and foremost is to give everything some time. At one week out of surgery, you do not want to judge the results, particularly if significant movement of the inframammary folds was made. From what you describe, it does sound as though you are experiencing a double bubble deformity. However, with time, you may find that this is a temporary finding. This is especially true if the skin is overly tight. As your breast tissue and skin stretches to accommodate the new implants, this deformity... more

David Bogue, MD

6 reviews

Boca Raton Plastic Surgeon

www.drbogue.com

Fix the Double Bubble

This will not resolve on its own UNLESS, during surgery, the surgeon has specifically cut the fold ligament at multiple points to allow this to expand. If the surgeon did transect this, the fold and skin will expand and the double bubble will improve and disappear. If the surgeon did not transect this, then additional surgery is necessary for fold transection or raising the implant position.

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You would really help by posting a photo of the result. You might have had a tough starting point like a tuberous breast. In these cases, the crease often needs to be lowered but is especially tight and prone to a double bubble. If on the other hand, what you actually needed was a lift and your surgeon tried to get around doing that by lowering the crease to make the nipples look higher, I would suggest you consider using an underwire to push the implants back up and... more

Most likely you will require revisionary surgery.

The problem you are trying to describe could represent one of several potential issues of implant malposition. Be it bottoming out or double bubble they both ultimately come to a surgical revision for correction. Oftentimes the correction is aimed at resetting the inframammary. Sight unseen I could not definitively say that conservative measures minus surgery would not save the day but is is quite unlikely that surgery can be avoided

Treatment of "Double Bubble" after Breast Augmentation?

Although best to give you advice after direct physical examination, I think you may benefit from revision of the breast implant pockets (capsulorrhaphy and/or use of acellular dermal matrix). Capsulorraphy involves the use of permanent internal sutures to reconstruct the lower poles of the breasts; this procedure may help to improve the contour of this area. Consultation with plastic surgeons well-versed with revisionary breast surgery may be helpful. more

Double Bubble After Breast Augmentation

I agree a photo will be helpful. In my experience, if after 3-6 months the deformity has not improved, only surgery has any chance of correcting this issue.

Double bubble

Double bubble occurs whent he fold is undermined. If it was done onpurpose and the fold was scored, it may open up with time. Speak with your doctor.

Steven Wallach, MD

13 reviews

Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Double bubble immediately after surgery

Ask your surgeon if he/she intentionally and aggressively tried to lower the crease. It is possible that the fold may stretch out with time. Based on having you wear a strap on the upper pole, the intent is to push the implant down which will at least temporarily make the double bubble worse.

Kenneth L. Stein, MD

5 reviews

Chicago Plastic Surgeon

Double bubble after augmentation

My guess is that you had high and tight inframammary folds and nipples that were a little low on the breast mound. This is really a set up for your problem, even with the most skillful surgeon. It sounds like your native inframammary fold is still visable. Wearing the band to stretch it out may help and I would follow your surgeon's directions. If it is still unsatisfactoryafter a couple of months, you may need some work on the capsule in the inframammary fold... more

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