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When I Lay Down my Chest is Flat and Implants Fall to the Outsides - is That Normal?

asked 10 months ago by marymarymary in sanantonio
Latest answer by Robert L. Kraft, MD
Question viewed 1,302 times
Tags: 1 year post-op, normal, options, pocket, separation

Its been over a year since my BA. I still would like them larger but that's another matter. When I lay down on my back, my implants fall to the sides of my chest and upward to my armpits. Can I have unintentionally widen out the pockets? Is this fixable? Should I even be concern about this because it's the norm? Can the pockets be made smaller so they don't go where they shouldn't?

15 answers to When I Lay Down my Chest is Flat and Implants Fall to the Outsides - is That Normal?

+1

Implants falling to the side

When a patient without implants lies down, her breasts will shift sideways. The question is whether your implant pockets are too large and, if so,should you undergo capsulorraphy. A consultation would be necessary to evaluate whether your condition warrants further surgery. It is unlikely that you did anything to contribute to widening of the pockets.
Robert L. Kraft, MD

New York Plastic Surgeon
+1

Implants drifting into armpit when laying down usually indicates the pocket is overdissected on the side (laterally)

Hello, What you are describing is often the result of a breast implant pocket that has been over dissected laterally (on the side). How much dissection is overdissection can vary but implants sliding into the armpit when laying down is a fairly good indication. This is rarely the result of something the patient has done. The most common source is over dissection of the pocket during surgery. The pocket can be repaired by suturing it to the appropriate amount. All the best, Dr Repta more
Remus Repta, MD

Phoenix Plastic Surgeon

www.aaaplasticsurgery.com

+1

Lateral location of the implants

It is normal for breasts/implants to move to sides when we lay flat. However, it is not normal to have implants fall off the chest and into the arm pits. This is due to implants stretching on the implant pocket because of the weight of implants and stretching of the muscle. This can be fixed with placing sutures laterally to decrease the pocket. Please talk with your plastic surgeron for limitations of surgery and possible recurrence of the problem. more
Sugene Kim, MD

Houston Plastic Surgeon
+1

This isn't unusual.

What you're experiencing is that the pockets that your implants sit in have stretched a bit to the side allowing your implants to shift over when gravity allows it. This can be corrected if it really bothers you by closing the lateral pocket (the part that is most to the side.)
Scott E. Newman, MD

New York Plastic Surgeon

www.psurgery.com

+1

Breast "flow"

A little movement of the breasts to the sides when you are laying down is normal and natural, but if your implants are sliding that far, it is too much. One reason may be that the pocket is too large and needs to be reduced. This is done by placing rows of sutures along the edges to make it smaller. This is not as easy as it sounds especially if there is a lot of space that needs to be closed up. Sometimes the sutures don't hold. More recently the use of... more
Lori H. Saltz, MD

San Diego Plastic Surgeon
+1

Implants Falling into the armpit

Yes, this happens to many patients.... yes, it is fixable. The procedure is called capsulorrhaphy (internal bra) when a surgeon would go in and place permanent sutures to improve the implant placement on the patient's chest wall. Not all surgeon's do this procedure so please check the experience of the surgeon you go to. You may be able to increase the implant size at the same time (1 surgical procedure) but without examination, it's difficult to say.... more
Tom J. Pousti, MD

San Diego Plastic Surgeon

www.poustiplasticsurgery.com

+1

When I Lay Down my Chest is Flat and Implants Fall to the Outsides - is That Normal?

Yes you can improve the position by further surgery. It is called an open capsulorraphy. Best to discuss in detail with your surgeon.
Darryl J. Blinski, MD

Miami Plastic Surgeon
+1

Is it normal for the implants to go to the sides when laying down? Is this fixable?

Because of the curved shape of the chest wall, when you are in a supine ( laying down) position the gravity pull the implants or natural breasts down to each side. Evidently the larger the breasts or the implants there is more gravitational pull. The same way, when you are in standing position the breasts or the implants are pulled down. With implants the capsules( pocket-scar around the implants) can gradually stretch and become larger on the side. You can aggravate this... more
A. H. Nezami, MD

Jacksonville Plastic Surgeon

www.jacksonvillecosmeticsurgery.com

+1

Breast implants falling to the outsides

There is often a fine line between what is expected or normal postoperative appearance and what is unusual. All breast tissue and implants will move with different positions (unless there is a lot of hard scar tissue), but the extent of how far is what really matters. Without an examination, it's difficult to say whether it is "normal" or not - and the real question is whether the movement bothers you. I would recommend you ask your plastic surgeon to evaluate... more
Michelle Spring, MD

Marina Del Rey Plastic Surgeon
+1

When I Lay Down my Chest is Flat and Implants Fall to the Outsides - is That Normal?

Saline breast implants have a much greater tendency than silicone gel devices to fall to the side when the patient lies down. This 'fall-out' usually develops over a couple of years after surgery. This is due to the saline implant's greater weight, as well as to its generally thinner scar tissue capsule compared to silicone gel implants. Also, implants that have been placed under the muscle are subject to the downward and outward push of the pectoralis muscles. This... more
Eric Pugash, MD

Vancouver Plastic Surgeon

www.vancouvercosmeticsurgery.ca

+1

Breast implants falling to the side, normal.

Great results from augmentation mammaplasties resemble non augmented breasts in that they drift to the side when you are on your back. However, if the implants fall towards the armpits, the pockets are too large. This phenomenon tends to happen with belly sleepers. If you are planning to have the current implants replaced with larger ones, the enlarged pockets can be repaired so the new implants no longer drift towards the armpit. Hopes this helps... more
Joseph N. Togba, MD

Oakland Plastic Surgeon
+1

Lateral Displacement of Breast Implants

It is common for breasts with and without implants to fall off to the sides when one is lying down. This may be more frequent for women who have a prominent sternum ( kind of like the shape of a bird's chest) and a rib cage that slants in a downward direction. Lateral displacement may also occur in women with very strong pectoral muscles. Making changes to this depends upon how marked the problem is, how much it bothers you and identifying the cause... more
Mary Lee Peters, MD

Seattle Plastic Surgeon
+1

Breast Impplants (and Breasts) falling over

Although, it is quite normal for the implants and breasts to go over sideways while lying down, falling over and going up is not normal. The problem could be either implants are too big or you developed capsular contracture medially and below pushing the implants.It can be corrected with releasing the capsule and supporting with something like alloderm. You may have to settle for smaller implants.
Raj Chowdary, MD

Allentown Plastic Surgeon
+1

Breast implants fall to the sides

It is normal for the breast to fall to the sides when you are on your back, much as the breast will without breast implants. It would be unusual for the implants to sit right up on top of your chest, a rather artificial look. Still the implants should not fall to the sides off the chest and under your arms. The pocket can be closed to keep the implant within the breast and centered under the nipple. Best of luck, peterejohnsonmd
Peter E. Johnson, MD

Chicago Plastic Surgeon

www.peterejohnsonmd.com

+1

Yes, it's fixable!

It sounds as though you need your outer pocket tightened. This is a relatively straightforward procedure. This is very common as implants do have a tenedency to fall to the outside. It will also serve to make the augmentation appear larger. Good luck!
Brian Klink, MD

Sacramento Plastic Surgeon

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