What is wrong with my implants? I am 20 days post op.

Question

My implants don't look quite right. At 3-4 days I had some blood staining on the left side and the scar looked puffy and pink compared to the right. The same side later got infected. The infection has now resolved but it seems that the implant on the left side is sticking out on the left. Is it possible that I have displaced my implant? Have you had any similar cases? if so when are revision surgeries normally carried out? I would appreciate any help and advice.

Jerome Edelstein, MD · Answer

Hello,Thank you for your question and photos. It appears that one implant has dropped a bit more than the other so far- which is not unusual. You can expect 2-6 months for the breasts to fully drop and soften. If you wait a few more months and are still not happy with the appearance you could discuss changes with your Plastic Surgeon.All the best

Rodney A. Green, MD · Answer

I would suggest that you wait at least three months before assessing asymmetry etc., because things do still settle during this period of time. You may have had some bleeding internally on the left side at the time of surgery based on your story.
I would not consider revision until 3 to 6 months at least.
Many patients become hypercritical of their appearance after surgery and a good idea is to review your preoperative photographs to appreciate the significant improvement in your appearance and to calm your anxiety. Follow-up with your surgeon as directed.

Christopher J. Davidson, MD, FACS · Answer

Thank you for your question and photograph.  Your photograph and description indicate that you are healing well.  My strong advice is to wait a full 4-6 months before considering your final result and certainly before considering a revision.  Best of luck.

Martin Jugenburg, MD · Answer

Hi.Your images do not show anything wrong except for wide cleavage gap. This may have already existed as surgeons often avoid dealing with tissue attachments near the sternum (breast bone). Or it may be that your implants are sub-muscular and in the picture you are contracting your chest muscles which is why the gap is wide. As you are 20 days post-op, it is early to say if there is a surgical complication. You may need to wait 3-6 months to see the final results. Relay your concerns to your surgeon. Please maintain strict follow-up with your surgeon to make sure your breasts are healing well. Remember, in person follow-ups with your surgeon is always more reassuring and conclusive than real-self answers that we provide. Regardless, the images show a reasonable result as of 20 days post-op. Please compare your before surgery and after surgery photos to see how the shape and breast position has changed. Hope this helps

Daniel Barrett, MD · Answer

Dear Jenna2o, 
It is hard to tell without in-person examination. But if you feel like your breast implant is located too lateral, then there is a chance that your breast pocket is too big for the implant. I would recommend you to visit your breast surgeon for an examination. In case of lateral displacement, a surgery is required to reshape the implant pocket.
Daniel Barrett, MD, MHA, MS 
Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery 
Member, Am. Society of Plastic Surgery

Robert Applebaum, MD · Answer

Implants can take some time to soften and look more natural. You have to go back and look closely at your pre operative photos and see if the skin envelopes were symmetrical to begin with. The determination to do a revision would be after 6-8 months when the swelling and final results begin to take shape. No need to stress about a revision at this point.

Asaf Yalif, MD, FACS · Answer

It is very early in your postop course and you do appear to have a minor asymmetry. This can be to the left dropping before the right. It is not uncommon for there to be some discrepancy between the two as each side heals differently, especially if you've had a mild infection. I would go in for an in person evaluation with your plastic surgeon to evaluate if this is as it appears and to address your concerns.

Arian Mowlavi, MD, FACS (license on probation) · Answer

Difficult to appreciate the asymmetry but I would suggest a larger implant or different style with a larger diameter base will provide you improved medial breast fullness and improve your cleavage area; seems like the implant is not filling your medially based on skin redundancy.

Brooke R. Seckel, MD, FACS (retired) · Answer

Your result looks very goo for 20 days after surgery. The small asymmetry is very common. It will take another 6 weeks at least to evaluate your result. Of course follow up with your surgeon.

What is wrong with my implants? I am 20 days post op.

Answers (9)

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