Breast Implants: Q&A

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Implant Not Centered - 5 Weeks Post Op? (photo)

Hi everybody! My right implant is not centered under nipple. My surgeon is trying to tell me that it looks like I had asymmetry before, but after looking at the attached image, I don't think ANYBODY would say the implant is centered and there was no asymmetry before. The capsule is just too big and when I lie down it moves 4 cm towards the arm pit. So my question is: HOW can this be corrected? Can the capsule be corrected without removing the implant? How long should I wait for revision surgery?

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off-center 1 month post-op

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12 Doctor Answers | Asked by ron1983 in Long Beach

Doctor Answers (12)
Community Comments (1)

Lateral Breast Implant Displacement

You have laterally displaced areola present in the preoperative photo. If the lateral aspect of the pocket is closed, the implants will be brought closer together, but the nipple areola complex will be displaced laterally. Just make sure that you realize this when and if the pocket is repaired.

Implant Not Centered - 5 Weeks Post Op?

The pocket was dissected to laterally. Only revision surgery can help. Wait 6 months before re operation.

Lateral position of implant

Thanks for your pictures and question. It does appear that the right implant is placed laterally although that is likely due to your anatomy which does show laterally positioned implants. However, the picture with you lying down does show the implant move even further laterally which does seem to indicate that you would benefit from tightening of your capsule. This procedure could be done without changing the implant if you are happy with the size of your breasts and lack... more

It is possible to correct laterally positioned implants

First, you do have nipples that are set laterally on your chest wall (towards your armpits), and this is always a challenge during augmentation surgery. The implant needs to sit a little more laterally to be centered under the nipple properly. Sometimes, though, it just moves too far laterally. This can be corrected, but it does require more surgery: a lateral capsulorrhaphy (capsular revision) with sutures or with the addition of an ADM (acellular dermal matrix, like... more

Carmen Kavali, MD

11 reviews

Atlanta Plastic Surgeon

Implant malposition

You can correct the lateral displacement of the breast implant with a capsulorrhaphy procedure in which sutures are placed internally to reshape the implant pocket. This does involve the removal of the implants, but they can be immediately replaced during the procedure. You can have the revision procedure completed at anytime now. The capsule is well developed by 1 month after surgery and you look to be well beyond that time in the healing process now. I would agree that your NACs were... more

Adjusting Right Breast Implant Asymmetry

You had very lateral position to your nipples before surgery and that always poses a problem a balance between centering the implants behind the nipple and not getting them too far to the sides. The differences you are showing before and after surgery are very slight although that is not to say there are not significant to you. While a revision can be done to tighten the capsule on the right breast to move it in more, you need to be aware that the risk of further malposition is not rare. The... more

Breast implants

The implant has to be removed to perform the correction, but can be immediately replaced at the same time. I would recommend waiting a minimum of 3 months to have the repair.

Implant Not Centered - 5 Weeks Post Op? (photo)

Your pre operative photos show that your nipples were very lateral. Your surgeon correctly placed the the implants as centered to the nipples as possible.Had he place them any more laterally you would have had even wider cleavage It is difficult to get optimal results in patients with lateral nipples,and correction can be even more difficult. The technique that I use is to re open the pocket,dissect laterally and advance the lateral flap medially.The lateral flap has to... more

Lateral implant displacement?

There may be lateral implant displacement which can be best analyzed in person. Remember your anatomy may prevent you from having a lot of cleavage.

Steven Wallach, MD

12 reviews

Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Repair of Lateral Breast Implant Displacement?

Thank you for the question and pictures. You have done a nice job, with pictures and measurements, demonstrating your concerns. Internal suture repair of the breast implant capsule ( capsulorrhaphy) will be necessary to prevent breast implant displacement and better center the breasts on the chest wall. In my practice, this repair is done with a 2 layered permanent suture technique. The use of acellular dermal matrix is an option ( although not usually necessary) especially if... more

Implant pocket may not be sufficiently opened near the sternum

Hello, Thank you for the question and the photos. There are three things that can be changed and most likely should be changed to give you the results that you are looking for including opening up the pocket near your sternum (cleavage side), closing the pocket laterally (near your arm pit), and selecting an implant width that is appropriate for you (likely a little wider). Do not worry as a solution does exist. There is not really a right or wrong time in terms of... more

Implants not centered and in arm pit area

After reviewing your photos it is obvious your implant pocket has stretched laterally. There are a few reasons for this. First I see this a lot in transaxillary breast augmentations. From this route it is difficult to release the lower medial portion of the pectoralis muscle. So when the muscle flexes it displaces the implant laterally. Over time the pocket tends to stretch and the implant displaces to the side expecially when you lay down. Second reason... more

Benjamin Chu, MD

12 reviews

Honolulu Plastic Surgeon

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Comments (1)

notsolucky 10 Feb 2013

Hi, I have the same problem and I am eight weeks PO. I thought I was looking at my pictures when I saw yours that is how similar they look. Please, let me know what your surgeon says and if you consider having revision. I thought from the beginning that my surgeon was wrong choosing high profile that left me with a huge gap between breasts and no cleavage. I wonder if we need to pay for the implants if we chose to have revision with a different profile of implant. I agree with you that your surgeon, like mine, made the pocket too bigh on the sides. Do you sleep with a bra on at night? Do you massage them?

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