Nine months ago, I had a breast revision due to significant dropping of my breasts over the inframammary fold. Despite replacing 325cc silicone implants with 400cc gummy bear ones, both breasts remain boxy, dropped again, with flatness under the nipple and increased distance between them. I'm a 45yo female, 120#, fairly active. Unsure if my expectations are unrealistic or if this is my anatomy. Reluctant to undergo another revision. What causes this?
Answer: Dropped & Boxy Again Dear A.Class.Act, I understand your concern. However, without a proper assessment, it would be difficult to determine what is wrong. If you had anchor lift, that might be the cause of boxy appearance. It is best that you visit your plastic surgeon for further assessment or ask for a second opinion. Only after a thorough examination, you can get proper recommendations and advice. Daniel Barrett, MDCertified, American Board of Plastic SurgeryMember, American Society of Plastic SurgeryMember, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery
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CONTACT NOW Answer: Dropped & Boxy Again Dear A.Class.Act, I understand your concern. However, without a proper assessment, it would be difficult to determine what is wrong. If you had anchor lift, that might be the cause of boxy appearance. It is best that you visit your plastic surgeon for further assessment or ask for a second opinion. Only after a thorough examination, you can get proper recommendations and advice. Daniel Barrett, MDCertified, American Board of Plastic SurgeryMember, American Society of Plastic SurgeryMember, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery
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CONTACT NOW April 22, 2024
Answer: Implants The heavier implants will just drop down from the weight and stretching your own tissue. Please do not go larger. A little trimming could be done in the lower lateral part of your breasts, but you will probably return back to this shape because of the implants stretching your own tissue that was already stretched, loose, and sagging.
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CONTACT NOW April 22, 2024
Answer: Implants The heavier implants will just drop down from the weight and stretching your own tissue. Please do not go larger. A little trimming could be done in the lower lateral part of your breasts, but you will probably return back to this shape because of the implants stretching your own tissue that was already stretched, loose, and sagging.
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April 20, 2024
Answer: Revision after an augmentation mastopexy: boxy breasts A Class Act Dropped & Boxy Again can happen with a revision or the initial augmentation mastopexy Breast problems requiring revision BOTTOMING OUT This is the term given to implant displacement, where the implant drops down below the existing inframammary fold (natural crease beneath your breast). This may occur when the fold has been released excessively during surgery or may be due to factors of the patient’s collagen and tissue integrity. The implants end up sitting very low on the chest and there is lack of internal support for the implant itself. Correction usually involves restoring the crease beneath your breast to its normal position. This involves internal reconstruction including the capsule around your implant (capsulorrhaphy). Sometimes a biologic fabric (Acellular Dermal Matrix) can be used to attach to the breast tissue internally and support the implant. This corrects the placement of the implant, redefines the breast shape, and refines the internal fold. For you changing the profile of your implant and size along with a mesh may be helpful STRETCH DEFORMITY This occurs when the breast fold is in the correct position, however, the length of the tissue between the nipple and the fold stretches. This may be due to the patient’s soft tissue inelasticity and/or the size or shape of the implant that is used. Skin laxity can change with age, pregnancy, weight changes, or heredity. Correction of this problem usually includes skin excision as part of a mastopexy (breast lift/reshaping). It may be necessary to use ADM to further support the breast tissue if too thin. CAPSULAR CONTRACTURE This is a condition where the capsule around the implant thickens and squeezes the implant making it hard and often changing the shape and position of the implant. It is more common in nicotine users (e.g. smoking or nicotine patches or gum). Effective treatment of the capsule frequently involves completely removal of the capsule (capsulectomy), and occasional incisions in the capsule may be somewhat helpful (capsulotomy). In the past, closed capsulotomy, in which the breast is squeezed until the capsule breaks, was used. Currently, most doctors avoid this technique because of complications associated with the technique and because the implant companies will void their warranty if this technique is used. At times it is necessary to change the position of the implant, either above or below the muscle, depending upon the initial position, changing the implants themselves and, on occasion, the use of Acellular Dermal Matrix (ADM) may be required to prevent continued problems. Although the published risk of capsular contracture is approximately 9-11%, in our practice it is somewhat lower after initial implant placement. Once capsular contracture occurs, the risk of problems with secondary surgery rises to between 25% and 40%. The use of Singulair and Vitamin E may be of benefit. If you had a Sientra Textured Implant placed as a primary procedure and a contracture occurs in the first two years after primary augmentation, then their implant warranty may apply.
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CONTACT NOW April 20, 2024
Answer: Revision after an augmentation mastopexy: boxy breasts A Class Act Dropped & Boxy Again can happen with a revision or the initial augmentation mastopexy Breast problems requiring revision BOTTOMING OUT This is the term given to implant displacement, where the implant drops down below the existing inframammary fold (natural crease beneath your breast). This may occur when the fold has been released excessively during surgery or may be due to factors of the patient’s collagen and tissue integrity. The implants end up sitting very low on the chest and there is lack of internal support for the implant itself. Correction usually involves restoring the crease beneath your breast to its normal position. This involves internal reconstruction including the capsule around your implant (capsulorrhaphy). Sometimes a biologic fabric (Acellular Dermal Matrix) can be used to attach to the breast tissue internally and support the implant. This corrects the placement of the implant, redefines the breast shape, and refines the internal fold. For you changing the profile of your implant and size along with a mesh may be helpful STRETCH DEFORMITY This occurs when the breast fold is in the correct position, however, the length of the tissue between the nipple and the fold stretches. This may be due to the patient’s soft tissue inelasticity and/or the size or shape of the implant that is used. Skin laxity can change with age, pregnancy, weight changes, or heredity. Correction of this problem usually includes skin excision as part of a mastopexy (breast lift/reshaping). It may be necessary to use ADM to further support the breast tissue if too thin. CAPSULAR CONTRACTURE This is a condition where the capsule around the implant thickens and squeezes the implant making it hard and often changing the shape and position of the implant. It is more common in nicotine users (e.g. smoking or nicotine patches or gum). Effective treatment of the capsule frequently involves completely removal of the capsule (capsulectomy), and occasional incisions in the capsule may be somewhat helpful (capsulotomy). In the past, closed capsulotomy, in which the breast is squeezed until the capsule breaks, was used. Currently, most doctors avoid this technique because of complications associated with the technique and because the implant companies will void their warranty if this technique is used. At times it is necessary to change the position of the implant, either above or below the muscle, depending upon the initial position, changing the implants themselves and, on occasion, the use of Acellular Dermal Matrix (ADM) may be required to prevent continued problems. Although the published risk of capsular contracture is approximately 9-11%, in our practice it is somewhat lower after initial implant placement. Once capsular contracture occurs, the risk of problems with secondary surgery rises to between 25% and 40%. The use of Singulair and Vitamin E may be of benefit. If you had a Sientra Textured Implant placed as a primary procedure and a contracture occurs in the first two years after primary augmentation, then their implant warranty may apply.
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April 15, 2024
Answer: In short, gravity You have what appears to be excellent skin quality, but that alone will not prevent the boxy appearance that you have. The soft tissue will tend to descend over time even with the implants placed in the proper position and the breast gland alone repositioned and sutured. That is a lot of mass for your small frame to support, and my approach to this would be to utilize a mesh construct attached firmly to the chest wall that will hold the implant in place and not allow that bottoming out. For the absolute best result from a shape standpoint, you might need to downsize the implants slightly to have a better ratio of soft tissue. Thanks,
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CONTACT NOW April 15, 2024
Answer: In short, gravity You have what appears to be excellent skin quality, but that alone will not prevent the boxy appearance that you have. The soft tissue will tend to descend over time even with the implants placed in the proper position and the breast gland alone repositioned and sutured. That is a lot of mass for your small frame to support, and my approach to this would be to utilize a mesh construct attached firmly to the chest wall that will hold the implant in place and not allow that bottoming out. For the absolute best result from a shape standpoint, you might need to downsize the implants slightly to have a better ratio of soft tissue. Thanks,
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April 11, 2024
Answer: Breast revision Thank you for your question. A large portion of my practice is dedicated to breast revision surgery. Many surgeons do not remove breast tissue when they perform a lift. Unfortunately, there is no easy fix. Many years ago, I pioneered a technique specifically for patients like you termed "Reductive Augmentation". This involves an internal bra-capsulorrhaphy, revision of the mastopexy-lift, and excision of the lower pole breast tissue. You should be able to have a beautiful appearing breast with this technique. Best wishes to you
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Answer: Breast revision Thank you for your question. A large portion of my practice is dedicated to breast revision surgery. Many surgeons do not remove breast tissue when they perform a lift. Unfortunately, there is no easy fix. Many years ago, I pioneered a technique specifically for patients like you termed "Reductive Augmentation". This involves an internal bra-capsulorrhaphy, revision of the mastopexy-lift, and excision of the lower pole breast tissue. You should be able to have a beautiful appearing breast with this technique. Best wishes to you
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