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Implants Shifted in Time Too Far Apart, How Can I Get Them Closer?

asked 10 months ago by Dez I in Alameda, CA
Latest answer by Stephen A. Chidyllo, MD
Question viewed 292 times
Tags: 2 years post-op, shifting

I've had implants 3 yrs and at first they were perfect but they shifted towards armpits. Is there a way to get them to shift again back together?

7 answers to Implants Shifted in Time Too Far Apart, How Can I Get Them Closer?

+1

Breast Implants Too Far Apart

Breast implants which have shifted laterally towards the armpit need to be surgically repositioned. I am sorry to tell you this but the pocket where the implant are needs to be revised, made smaller, or changed. Sometimes when the implants are above the muscles then they need to be placed below or vica versa! Either way this is a surgical correction.
Stephen A. Chidyllo, MD

Red Bank Plastic Surgeon
+1

Implants that are too lateral.

You would likely benefit from modification of your implant pockets with a procedure that opens up the pocket medially and closes it off laterally. This may involve a "neopocket" procedure, a capsulorrhaphy, or the use of acellular dermal matrix such as Strattice. Lisa Lynn Sowder, M.D.
Lisa L. Sowder, MD

Seattle Plastic Surgeon
+1

Breast Implants Too Far Apart

The determination of whether or not breast implants are placed too far apart (lateral malposition) can only be done with front view upright photos. If the position was just right for the first few months, then the pocket may be fine but the skin has stretched (some skin stretch is inevitable). If they look fine upright but seem too far apart when you are lying flat, then I would recommend to do nothing. If they are truly too far apart upright, then you need an implant pocket revision, not an... more
Joseph Fata, M.D.

Indianapolis Plastic Surgeon
+1

Breast revisionary surgery

I recommend consulting a board certified plastic surgeon to discuss the best and safest option for you. Lateral displacement or implant mal-positioning can be corrected with revisionary surgery. I usually use a technique called capsulorophy (lateral). This involves the use of permanent sutures (internal) to close off the breast implant pocket, so that the implant cannot move to the side (especially when the patient lies down). Pateitns enjoy the improved cleavage when upright or lying down. more
Tom J. Pousti, MD

San Diego Plastic Surgeon
+1

Implants Shifted in Time Too Far Apart, How Can I Get Them Closer?

Dear Dez, I am sorry to hear about the migration of your breast implants. Yes, revision involving repair of the implant pocket and possible implant exchange may be able to fix the problem. Please see a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon for an evaluation. Warmest wishes, Larry Fan, MD
Larry Fan, MD

San Francisco Plastic Surgeon
+1

Lateral shifting breast implants can be improved with lateral capsulorphy and exchange for textures silicone gel implants

You probably have smooth walled saline or gel implants which have migrated out laterally. A revision mamoplasty with a lateral capsulorphy (suturing the soft tissue closed laterally, will close the pocket and move the implants more medially. I have found that exchanging the smooth wall implants for textured gel implants in a new pocket will give a better result that is more likely to stay fixed. The breast tissue almost always grows onto the implant and makes the breast stay where it... more
Carl W. "Rick" Lentz III, MD

Daytona Beach Plastic Surgeon
+1

Implants far apart

This can generally be revised. Photos would help but a couple of things come to mind. I will often place a suture internally along the side to close the pocket off. Sometimes I also open the pocket more on the opposite side. If you want to go slightly bigger or use a slightly wider implant that can help as well. Good luck!
Tiffany McCormack, MD

Reno Plastic Surgeon

www.plasticsurgeryrenotahoe.com

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