Unhappy with breast augmentation: tuberous shape, symmastia concerns, and red lines – can this be fixed? (Photo)

Question

I had a breast augmentation 8 months ago (360cc silicone, high profile). I had tuberous/tubular breasts and was very flat-chested. I’m unhappy with the results—they still look tubular, and I believe I have symmastia. My doctor said it’s not symmastia but my anatomy, claiming extra chest fat and stretched skin from the implants. I also have persistent red lines—are they stretch marks? Was this a poorly done procedure, or is it my anatomy? Is there a way to fix it?

Daniel Barrett, MD · Answer

Dear marianap,
breast revision surgery is the most difficult plastic surgery procedure performed. Botched breast surgery alters normal tissue planes and laxity, the ability of breasts to heal properly, and leaves scar tissue that dramatically affects the level of difficulty of the corrective surgery.Many patients come in to correct poor outcomes from their initial surgeries. The most common problems are due to implant malposition, bottoming out of the implant, poor scarring, and incorrect implant size.While the type of revision required will depend on the result of the previous surgery and the desired result of the patient, some revisions involve extensive pocket repair that may or may not need specialized external bras.If you are considering breast surgery revision, you should speak with a board certified plastic surgeon and have yourself properly assessed. Only after a thorough examination you will get more information and recommendations. Also, you have to make sure that your surgeon understands your breast augmentation goals.
Daniel Barrett, MDCertified, American Board of Plastic SurgeryMember, American Society of Plastic SurgeryMember, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

Paul E. Chasan, MD, FACS · Answer

Thank you for your question. I have been in practice for 30 years and breast revision surgery is a large portion of my practice.  In fact, I wrote the first paper on internal bra-capsulorrhaphy in 1999. Your outcome is not optimal.  The good news is that this can be fixed. I would recommend a medial capsulorrhaphy's-internal bra as well as repositioning of your areolas to the center using a doughnut technique.  You should be able to have An excellent result.  Best wishes to you.

Gary M. Horndeski, MD · Answer

In your pre-operative photographs, you can see the nipple-areola complexes were widely separated and you have very little cleavage.  Unfortunately, the surgeon placed the implants more medial than your nipple-areola complexes and that is why your nipples are pointing outward.  Also, the medial dissection results in symmastia.  At this time, you would benefit from implant removal, need pockets formed and new implants placed.  This should be done through a circumareola approach to reposition the nipple-areola complexes more medially.

Best Wishes,

Gary Horndeski, M.D.

Hilton Becker, MD · Answer

You have a very complex problem .You may want to consider removing your implants .Allow healing to take place , then re assess your situation .
Fat grafting could also be considered .

Connie Hiers, MD, FACS · Answer

Your implants are a bit large for your frame and I think you would be happier with something smaller like 300 cc's. You now have symmastia with the breasts touching. Your surgeon was trying to correct your breast bases. women can get stretch marks with implants because the skin is quickly stretched. Try micro-needling for this and scar products like Mederma. I also suggest going down in profile to moderate plus.

Unhappy with breast augmentation: tuberous shape, symmastia concerns, and red lines – can this be fixed? (Photo)

Answers (5)

Answer: Tuberous shape, symmastia concerns,

Answer: Tuberous shape, symmastia concerns,

Answer: Surgery

Answer: Surgery

Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Breast Implant Revision

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Unhappy with breast augmentation: tuberous shape, symmastia concerns, and red lines – can this be fixed? (Photo)

Answers (5)

Answer: Tuberous shape, symmastia concerns,

Answer: Tuberous shape, symmastia concerns,

Answer: Surgery

Answer: Surgery

Browse related questions

Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Breast Implant Revision

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.