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Lumpy Scars and Unevenness - Is Something Wrong with my Implant / Lift Surgery?

asked 1 year ago by Tina5269 in Sebastian, FL
Latest answer by Tom J. Pousti, MD
Question viewed 3,802 times
Tags: nipples, silicone implant, 2 months post-op, 400-449cc, A to DD cup, lumps, scar, uneven

I had a lift / aug 2 mos. ago. 400CC sil implants were put in &a lift done at the same time. I always had saggy breasts but then I lost 130 lbs & went from 44DD to 36A. I didn't expect HUGE breasts but I did think they would be bigger. I'm disappointed about the size. (they are 36D now) See the pics for my problems: lumpy scars, uneven breasts, & nipples point in different directions. I'm terrified but doctor says "Be patient." Should I worry?

27 answers to Lumpy Scars and Unevenness - Is Something Wrong with my Implant / Lift Surgery?

+1

Concern after Mastopexy Augment

Give yourself 3-6 months for your scars and implants to soften and relax and have a revision with an implant size change to you liking.
Daniel J. Casper, MD

Los Angeles Plastic Surgeon

www.drdanielcasper.com

+2

Unfavorable result after Breast Augmentation with Lift

Hi there- Without knowing what your exam was like before surgery, it is difficult to say for sure what might have caused the problems you are encountering... On the other hand, it is clear from the photos you did provide that you have a very poor result. I would not expect this to improve over time, and in fact it may worsen as capsules mature... You are going to need a revision of your surgery in order to achieve a pleasing outcome, but please be aware that the timing will be cri more
Armando Soto, MD

Orlando Plastic Surgeon
+2

Breast augmentation with lift

Breast augmentation and breast lift together is and can be a very complex surgery with a high rate of complications.  At two months and observing your results, I would recommend aggressive massaging (implant-displacement massages) in order to get the implant to settle a bit lower.  However, it is also very possible at this point that the implant will not settle and you may require a revision.  I would wait until 6 months to make that decision. Here's what I think... more
James F. Boynton, MD

Houston Plastic Surgeon

www.BoyntonPlasticSurgery.com

+2

Uneven Breast Lift/Implant Surgery

At two months you are still in the healing state. I recommend waiting at least 6 months before considering revision surgery. That being said, I think you will need a revision. Your implants are high, the nipples are asymmetric, the right lateral breast pocket indents, the vertical incision on the right goes below the breast fold. These are too many asymmetries at this point to feel confident in saying the healing process will take care of them all. Hope that helps and good... more
Babak Dadvand, MD

Los Angeles Plastic Surgeon
+2

Disappointing Breast Augmentation / Lift Result

You unfortunately do not have a good result. Seeing your Before pictures would help in telling you how much of this outcome was the choice of the implant or the surgical technique but at this point it does not really matter. It is obvious the implants are sitting way too high vis a vis the nipple and bottom of the breasts and the scars could be more attractive. You would benefit from a revision but I would strongly advise you to wait at least 6-8 months to allow complete healing and... more
Peter A. Aldea, MD

Memphis Plastic Surgeon
+2

Breast Augmentation and Lift Combination Takes Time To Settle

The combination of breast implant placement with breast lifts can be a difficult operation to get the desired shape and size of the breasts in a single operation. The more saggy the breasts are to start with the more challenging it can be. Once done it almost always appears that the implants are too high and the nipple may appear too low. It takes 3 to 6 months for settling of all of the tissues. Your breast appearance at 2 months strongly suggests that a revision will... more
Barry L. Eppley, MD, DMD

Indianapolis Plastic Surgeon
+2

APPEARANCE POST AUGMENTATION/MASTOPEXY

Thanks for the photos.  They are very helpful.  From the photos,  you appear to have a moderate amount of fullness at the top of the breast.  As the implants settle, this will be much less and the nipple-areolar complex will appear more centered.  Over time the irregularities along the bottom of your breast will smooth out.  It is too early in the healing process to consider any surgical revisions.  With massage techniques you can help the implants... more
Todd B. Koch, MD

Buffalo Plastic Surgeon

www.toddbkochmd.com

+2

Augment Mastopexy Concerns

As mentioned by my colleagues, if you have the patience, it is always better to wait for a few months before jumping back in to revise this.  But as also noted, it is almost certain you will require a revision.  I hope you had an understanding of your doctor's revision policy as many of us have one to help minimize any misunderstandings that can arise from results such as yours. You will have many issues to address such as implant position and nipple position as well as the... more
Curtis Wong, MD

Redding Plastic Surgeon
+2

Lumpy scars after a lift/augmentation, is this correctable?

Thank you for yor photos. It would've been great to see some preop photos as well. Of the limited views you sent there's some asymmetry, nipples do point to different directions and the vertical scar seems to go below the breast crease or there is some puckering below the crease. I assume that these implants are submuscular and they seem too high. At this time you should wait until the implants settle and your tissues heal and soften up before considering a revision. I believe you... more
George Marosan, MD

Bellevue Plastic Surgeon

www.bellevueplasticsurgeons.com

+2

Post-op lumpiness and unevenness

It is difficult to tell you what to do specifically since you do not show what your original breasts look like. Certainly the results at this time is cause for your concern. The main thing is the mismatch between implant position and nipple position. The scars, the puckering, and the tightness inferiorly will all typically improve over time, but may not improve to the point of being satisfactory. My suggestion would be to wait until the scars and tissues soften and become pliable and then... more
Robin T.W. Yuan, MD

Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon
+2

You may need a revision, but be patient

Obviously the size will not change with waiting, however your scars will continue to improve for 6-9 months.  Be patient,  from looking at the picture, you may likely require a revision, however at this point it is best to wait until t he incision mature
Marwan R. Khalifeh, MD

Chevy Chase Plastic Surgeon
+2

Lumpy Scars and Unevenness - Is Something Wrong with my Implant / Lift Surgery?

As a general rule waiting 6 to 9 months for full settling is the standard, as Drs Wallach and Placik stated. But since you were so kind to post 2 photos in my view you need a full revisional surgery sooner. Sorry. But you need a better informed consent especially to size being given. From MIAMI Dr. Darryl j. Blinski
Darryl J. Blinski, MD

Miami Plastic Surgeon
+1

Breast Augmentation and Lifting Results?

Thank you for the question and pictures. Although my colleagues seem to very critical of your results, fair evaluation would require examining your before pictures and preferably examining you in person. I would suggest evaluation at about the 1 year postop mark. Scar revision surgery, adjustment of the implants' positions and/or reaugmentation with larger implants may be indicated. I would suggest continued follow-up with your plastic surgeon... more
Tom J. Pousti, MD

San Diego Plastic Surgeon

www.poustiplasticsurgery.com

+1

Lumpy scars after a lift

A breast augmentation with a lift is a big operation. some of the lumpiness of the scars I believe will get better over the next few months as the sutures placed below the skin dissolve and the scars mature. The implants also will tend to settle into place a bit over the next few months and will shift, likely into a lower position, thereby filling the skin a bit more. I think it is way too early to make a judgment on what you might need done as it will likely be much less in a few months.... more
Julio Garcia, MD

Las Vegas Plastic Surgeon
+1

Breast Implants and Lumpy Scars

I would agree that there are some differences in your breasts and at this point the implants are high. A vertical mastopexy was performed and there may be some early puckering along the breast fold. With time this usually improves. Performing a mastopexy with placement of breast implants is a difficult operation as the surgeon is trying to get just the right size and reduce the excess skin appropriately. Incisions must heal well without implant exposure. Your implants may settle some more... more
Richard Linderman, MD

Indianapolis Plastic Surgeon
+1

What to do after a poor result

Your result is not a desireable one at this point, particularly in the lifted arm position but you are early postop.  Give it more time, your tissues must settle.  This is one of the problems with combining those surgeries in patients that are not the best candidates for it but I bet if you were given the option to do two surgeries you wouldn't have taken it.  Few do, but in my practice I would've made that your only option (and probably lost you as a patient)... more
Ricardo A. Meade, MD

Dallas Plastic Surgeon
+1

Bresast implants

It seems too early to say at this time.   the body is still in the healing phase, and there is still some "molding" of the breast tissue around the implants.
Shahin Javaheri, MD

San Francisco Plastic Surgeon
+1

Correcting a disappointing breast augmentation & lift

When you loose 130 pounds and a significant amount of volume in the breasts it is important for the mastopexy to incorporate **precise** removal of the excess skin, particularly in the lateral direction towards the axilla. That being said, as mentioned by others, the implants are sitting too high and need to be lowered, again in approximately 6-8 months utilizing a capsulotomy. This time, the nipple areolas’ can be raised to a better position. Also by curving the lateral incision... more
William F. DeLuca Jr, MD

Albany Plastic Surgeon

www.delucaplasticsurgery.com

+1

Lumpy Scars and Unevenness

Looking at your pictures, I agree with most of the comments so far.  One thing that was not mentioned that I think can make a big difference sometimes is the use of a breast strap or "bandeau" that is placed over the upper pole of the implants to provide pressure.  This would be worn 24 hours a day, if possible until the desired position of the implant is achieved.  This will not alleviate all of the issues, but the constant pressure can help with repositioning... more
Amy T. Bandy, DO

Newport Beach Plastic Surgeon

www.drbandy.com

+1

Unsatisfactory result after Breast Augmentation and lift

You are still a bit early after surgery, but I think that there are some issues that are resulting in an unsatisfactory result so far. The implants are a bit high, and widely separated. The scars are also suboptimal.  I think that some improvement may be expected over the next months, but given that you are unhappy with the size as well, a revision may be in order...eventually. At some point, I advise you to get a second opinion prior to proceeding. sek
Scott E. Kasden, MD

Dallas Plastic Surgeon
+1

Breast lift results

The most important part of plastic surgery is to wait 6 months before deciding anything.  Judging from your pictures, i would guess that the scars will smooth out (very good chance), the nipples will probably change position, but may not be exactly where you want them to be, and the unevenness should also improve.  It is also very important to keep in mind, that if these things do not change, it is a very simple revision to improve these things.
Bivik Rajnikant Shah, MD

Columbus Plastic Surgeon
+1

Unhappy breast augmentation lift result

As you can tell from the other doctors, your result doesn't look like what we would be hoping for if you were our patient.  One thing in your favor is that having lost a lot of weight, your elasticity is quite poor and may well stretch out the lower pole enough to get to a better look.  Otherwise you will need a revision.  You can see now, that no two surgeons are alike.
Richard P. Rand, MD, FACS

Seattle Plastic Surgeon
+1

Postop Breast aug/lift patients

You need to wait at least 4-6 months.  Massaging the scars and implants are essential. 
Blane T. Shatkin, MD

Ft. Lauderdale Plastic Surgeon
+1

Lumpy scars after aug/lift

There is no need to worry, but in my opinion you will need a revision.  It appears that you had a vertical scar lift, and some unevenness of the lower part of the breast usually is visible but settles out over time. Usually. Not always. But this excess and uneven skin can be revised.  I do not do vertical scar lifts, but many surgeons get excellent results with them, but they do take some time to settle.  In order to avoid the scar in the inframammary crease, the vertical lift... more
Robert M. Grenley, MD

Seattle Plastic Surgeon

www.seattleplasticsurgery.com

+1

Lumpy scars and unevenness after breast implant surgery

While a minor revision can be done after breast augmentation with a breast lift, 2 months after the procedure is too early. Wait at least 6 months to allow for scar softening and skin stretching before judging the final results. In most cases, things improve and nothing needs to be done.
Karol A. Gutowski, MD

Chicago Plastic Surgeon
+1

Combined lift and augmentation implants are still riding high

I typically advise my patients to wait at least 6-9 months to assess the results of a combined augmentation mastopexy.
Otto Joseph Placik, MD

Chicago Plastic Surgeon
+1

Scar irregularity

You have to give it some time to settle.  Give it about 6 months to a year for the scars to soften and then revisit it, you may indeed need a scar revision or an adjustment, but then again you may not.
Steven Wallach, MD

Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

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