My Saline Breast Implants Are Lumpy and Shelflike. Need Advice.

Four weeks ago I had saline implants put in under the muscle with a breast lift. I've had a lot of swelling and bruising, and even pitting sternal edema and hardened tissue at the lower portions of each breast. Briefly it seemed to improve but then the bilateral swelling again worsened and new bruises appeared. Twice my doctor drained hematomas, and once tried to break up scar tissue-SO painful. Now the breasts are dropping and softening, but the lower halves look lumpy and awful, like shelves.

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9 Doctor Answers | Asked by 5845anon in MKE, WI

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My Saline Breast Implants Are Lumpy and Shelflike. Need Advice.

4 weeks after surgery is early, and your breasts can still change immensely. That being said, it sounds like you experienced capsular contracture after the hematoma's. You should discuss your options with your surgeon about early treatment of the capsules, such as ultrasound treatments and possible Accolade- an asthma medication that works well on inflammation in breast capsules. This may help alleviate a possible need for a future surgery. You should also be... more

Breast lift and implants

I am sorry you are having so many problems. You should give it more time to heal and follow carefully with your doctor so that you go on to heal successfully.

Steven Wallach, MD

12 reviews

Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Final Results post breast surgery

Based on the photo and information you provided, it is far too soon to see the final results of your breast surgery. I recommend consulting your board certified plastic surgeon to discuss any issues or concerns you may have for now. It may have been more beneficial for you to have had silicone gel implants which provides a more natural look and feel considering your body type. Massaging the breasts has many benefits to your results. It will help prevent encapsulation (scar tissue) from... more

4 weeks after surgery is very early to see final results

4 weeks after any surgery is too early to see what the final results will look like. your breasts will continue to change and settle down. The shape and 'shelf' will change and become more normal. The rippling seen unfortunately will not improve. It is the result of you having very little fat thus there is very little padding to hide the implant irregularities. Having silicone implants would potentially improve rippling, as saline implants are the... more

A patient (waiting) patient

It is not uncommon to have this appearance for the early post-operative period. It is quite likely that you will see significant improvement but it may take up to 6-9 months to allow for a stable appearance. Take a deep breath and maintain close follow up with your surgeon and follow their advice.

Otto Joseph Placik, MD

32 reviews

Chicago Plastic Surgeon

3 Months For recovery

With all you have been through, you have alot of recovery to go now. If given the ok by your surgeon, I would massage the breasts and help everything to round out. It will take at least three months for everything to settle in to position, so just be patient. The firmness, etc. should work its way out after a few weeks/months. I hope this helps.

Breast implant wrinkling can happen

You are very thin and appear to have large implants in place (may just appear that way due to the angle of your photo, though). You've been through a lot with these implants already in 4 short weeks, dealing with hematoma and capsular contracture (hardening of the scar tissue around the implant). You have two real options right now: 1. Remove the implants and let your breast tissue heal fully, then replace new implants a few months later (most women,... more

Carmen Kavali, MD

11 reviews

Atlanta Plastic Surgeon

?Scar Contracture around Breast Implants

Regarding: "Four weeks ago I had saline implants put in under the muscle with a breast lift. I've had a lot of swelling and bruising, and even pitting sternal edema and hardened tissue at the lower portions of each breast. Briefly it seemed to improve but then the bilateral swelling again worsened and new bruises appeared. Twice my doctor drained hematomas, and once tried to break up scar tissue-SO painful. Now the breasts are dropping and softening, but the lower halves look... more

Implant outcome

I'm sorry to hear about this outcome. You are quite thin, and it appears that ripples in the implant are visible through the skin. This is sometimes associated with a lack of breast tissue to cover the implant. The submuscular placement minimizes, but does not alleviate this issue. The only advice I can offer at this time is massage, massage, massage. There is some evidence that this helps to minimize the incidence of capsular contracture. It may... more