What Can I Expect From Augmentation For A Concave Chest?

Thank you for the question.

If you have pectus excavatum ( concavity in the sternal area),  then breast augmentation may be helpful.  In my experience, breast implants tend to help “camouflage” the concavity,  making the cleavage area look deeper. Often times postoperatively is hard to know that the patient presented with pectus excavatum.

Often, patients with pectus excavatum have medially sloped chest walls ( sloped towards the cleavage area);  care must be taken during the breast implant pocket dissection to avoid the implants coming together too close in the sternal area.

Also, patients with pectus excavatum may have their nipple/areola complexes relatively medially positioned on their breasts;  without intervention this inward  leaning appearance of the nipple/areola does not improve with breast augmentation surgery.

Some information about pectus excavatum ( men and women) may be helpful…

Pectus Excavatum, also known as cobbler’s chest, sunken chest, funnel chest or simply a dent in the chest, is the most common congenital chest wall deformity, in which several ribs and the sternum grow abnormally. This produces a caved-in or sunken appearance of the anterior chest wall. Typically present at birth, this condition continues during the time of rapid bone growth and worsens until early teenage years. The severity of the defect and asymmetry of the chest widely vary. Pectus excavatum is often considered to be cosmetic, however it can impair cardiac and respiratory function, causing pain in the chest and back. People with the abnormality may experience negative psychosocial effects, and avoid activities that expose the chest.

For male patients, I have found that custom made solid pectoral implants made specifically for the area of depression is an option for a better cosmetic result. Pectoralis implants can be used to augment the male chest wall. Implants can be used to provide additional projection of the chest wall enhancing the appearance and often times self image of the patient. In order to meet the needs of the specific patient, I meet with the patient to make the moulage for the custom silicone implant.

This preparation can take up to 1-2 hours to make and dry. The moulage is then sent to the company so that a solid silicone implant can be made from it to fit the patient. The specifics of the operation vary from patient to patient. During the consultation with the patient, I discuss the amount of augmentation that the patient desires. The preferred shape of the chest wall is also discussed with the patient. Pectoralis implants have been very successful in allowing the patients to achieve increased fullness in the chest area.

I hope this helps.

This type of question really reinforces the reasons to only see an experienced, board certified plastic surgeon when considering this types of procedures. Even a procedure like a breast augmentation can be more complicated than it appears, as in the case of a patient will a concave chest. Only good rapport between the surgeon and patient can maximize the chances for a great surgical result.  Although the photos you posted are helpful to give a general answer, these things really need to be discussed in person with your operating surgeon. Good luck to you!

 

A concave chest or pectus excavatum is not that uncommon.  Many patients with a pectus can benefit from simply placing breast implants. The breast implants actually help hide the indentation of the breast bone.   The main concern is not to make the implant pocket too close to the midline of the breast bone, so as not to end up with a "uniboob" or synmastia.  The differences from one side to the other will remain after your surgery, but the volume difference can be improved.  I commonly make the incision in the armpit to avoid a "cut" on the breast. Also be aware you will never  obtain cleavage because of the indent and the high risk of migration of the implants toward the center on the breast bone.  All the best, "Dr. Joe"