Have I Bottomed Out, or is My Left Breast Just Not Settled Enough? (Photos)

asked 9 months ago by simplyme88 in Denver, CO
Latest answer by Manish H. Shah, MD
Question viewed 437 times
Tags: silicone implant, 3 months post-op, bottom out

I got 300 cc silicone gel implants. from the first day out i noticed the left one was further up than the right. now that i'm three months out, not only is my right larger and lower, but a different shape than my left. is it because i have bottomed out, or has my left breast just not settled as much as the right. And what needs to be done to correct this, can it be corrected?

11 answers to Have I Bottomed Out, or is My Left Breast Just Not Settled Enough? (Photos)

Possible capsular contracture

Over 90% of the patients I see in consultation have a right breast that is lower, wider, and larger. So a bit of asymmetry is normal. However, in your case you have to be evaluated for a possible capsular contracture or implant malposition. It is unlikely that an implant will settle more after 3 months. Both above conditions can be corrected or improved to achieve better symmetry, but it will require surgery. Best of luck.

Daniel Yamini, MD
Los Angeles Plastic Surgeon

Implant Asymmetry

Thank you so much for your question and for sending pictures. I feel that we would need to evaluate you here in the office to make sure that you aren't experiencing a capsular contracture on the left side. Does the left implant feel more firm than the right? If so, I would start you off with an oral regimen for capsular contracture that would include high doses of Vitamin E, Ibuprofen, and Singulair for 3 months and see if that helps. I would also recommend... more

Tanya Aya Atagi, MD
Denver Plastic Surgeon

"Settling" after Breast Augmentaton

The process of "settling" after breast augmentation is usually not synchronous: the 2 sides will "settle" at different times. I usually recommend some downward manpulation on the side that seems high. Ask your surgeon to see if he/she thinks this will help. It is possible that a capsule release may be neede to ge the implant position to match. Fortunately, this is a minimally invasive procedure that can usually be done with local anesthesia, minimal... more

Paul C. Zwiebel, MD
Denver Plastic Surgeon

The left breast appears to be too high

Hello, There is always the possibility that a little of both is occurring, but in your case it definitely looks like the left breast needs to come down more. The pocket on that side may need to be opened up more at the bottom. Your right breast seems to be in good position from the photos you provided. All the best, Dr Repta

Remus Repta, MD
Phoenix Plastic Surgeon

www.aaaplasticsurgery.com

Breast implant asymmetry

Thank you for the question and for sending pictures. One of the most common complications after breast augmentation surgery is implant mal-position. This occurs when the implant is in an incorrect position on the chest wall. This may include incorrect position of the implant superiorly (“riding high”), inferiorly (“bottoming out”), medially (“symmastia or uni-boob”) or laterally (falling outward into the axilla). At this stage in your recovery I... more

Tom J. Pousti, MD
San Diego Plastic Surgeon

www.poustiplasticsurgery.com

Left Implant Not Settled

It looks to me as though the left implant is higher than the right and has not settled. The right looks to be in good position. It is unlikely that the left will settle enough to achieve symmetry and you will probably need revisional surgery to lower it. The good news is that it is relatively easy to lower an implant. Good Luck

Brian Klink, MD
Sacramento Plastic Surgeon

Most women start out asymmetric

Hello, Unfortunately to answer the question accurately, it would be helpful to know if you had any breast asymmetry before surgery and how much. That being said, implants are typically fully descended after surgery by the 3-4 month mark. Your right implant appears to be a good position. Your left implant appears a little tighter and higher. Several things may be going on: 1. The implant position at the time of surgery was not low enough and the pectoralis... more

Manish H. Shah, MD
Denver Plastic Surgeon

Uneven Breast Implants at Three Months After Surgery

It is not uncommon to have a breast augmentation look beautifully balanced at sugery and to be uneven for a while early during recovery. Often with the use of an implant stabilization band and massage the implant will settle down to where it was placed at surgery. This usually occurs by three months, but I have seen it take 6. The difference in position of your two implants is pretty significant. I doubt it will drop much further. You and your surgeon will need to... more

Mary Lee Peters, MD
Seattle Plastic Surgeon

Will probably need revision surgery to Correct Assymetry

The one breast implant is positioned higher than the other. This is not bottoming out, because the one is too high. This can be fairly easily corrected with surgery. Probably will not settle on its own now.

Rodney A. Green, MD
Cleveland Plastic Surgeon

Bottomed Out, or is My Left Breast Just Not Settled Enough?

Without an examination or at least looking at your Before photograph it would be presumptive to say. As Plastic surgeons we are limited to placing the central part of the breast implant right behind the nipple regardless of its location. In cases of significant asymmetry before surgery it is impossible to achieve full symmetry after a simple Breast Augmentation. IF the left implant was this high immediately after surgery there is a chance the pocket was not fully and symmetrically... more

Peter A. Aldea, MD
Memphis Plastic Surgeon

Breast augmentation -getting it right the first time

It is really impossible to say what happened or what needs to be done from the information in your post. In the photo your right arm is raised and this could be contributing to distorting asymmetry. We have no idea what you looked like before surgery or what asymmetry was present before breast augmentation. Since this was present right after surgery what you describe sounds like asymmetry before surgery that was magnified by the implants and/or inadequate dissection of the pocket... more