I love my implants as long as I'm not moving. I am always sure to cover up now because when I use my arms/chest muscles they look deformed. Can this be fixed and why do they do this?
April 10, 2017
Answer: Animation Deformity After Breast Augmentation In the United States breast implants are most commonly placed 'under the muscle'. This practice began in the early 1990's when the FDA placed a moratorium on the use of silicone gel breast implants for cosmetic use. Saline implants are a little more wrinkly and crinkly than silicone implants. Placing implants behind the pectoralis muscle adds a layer of thickness, maybe 1/4 to 1/2 inch, between the skin and the breast implant. This thickness is nice to have in the upper part of the breasts. It makes it less likely that wrinkles in the implants will be visible to other people when the patient is wearing a bra, bathing suit, or low cut top. Perhaps the largest "downside" to placing implants under the muscle is exactly what you are showing in your photographs. When the pectoralis muscles contract this creates a deformity, sometimes called an animation deformity. We talk to patients about this during the consultation process. Placing implants in front of the pectoralis major muscles eliminates this possibility. However, when the implants are in front of the muscles they are now closer to the skin, and this makes it more likely that wrinkles in the upper parts of the implants will be noticeable to other people. In other parts of the world breast implants are more commonly placed in front of the muscle. However, other countries did not have a moratorium placed on the use of silicone implants. Silicone implants remain the most commonly used implants in countries outside the US. Because they are less wrinkly they may be less likely to develop rippling that is easily noticed to other people. However, that also depends on the size of the implants being used and how thick a woman's naturally existing tissue is. Visit with the surgeon who placed your implants and show that surgeon what you are showing us in your photographs. If this motion bothers you enough you may find it worth looking into having the implants placed in front of the pectoralis major muscles.
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April 10, 2017
Answer: Animation Deformity After Breast Augmentation In the United States breast implants are most commonly placed 'under the muscle'. This practice began in the early 1990's when the FDA placed a moratorium on the use of silicone gel breast implants for cosmetic use. Saline implants are a little more wrinkly and crinkly than silicone implants. Placing implants behind the pectoralis muscle adds a layer of thickness, maybe 1/4 to 1/2 inch, between the skin and the breast implant. This thickness is nice to have in the upper part of the breasts. It makes it less likely that wrinkles in the implants will be visible to other people when the patient is wearing a bra, bathing suit, or low cut top. Perhaps the largest "downside" to placing implants under the muscle is exactly what you are showing in your photographs. When the pectoralis muscles contract this creates a deformity, sometimes called an animation deformity. We talk to patients about this during the consultation process. Placing implants in front of the pectoralis major muscles eliminates this possibility. However, when the implants are in front of the muscles they are now closer to the skin, and this makes it more likely that wrinkles in the upper parts of the implants will be noticeable to other people. In other parts of the world breast implants are more commonly placed in front of the muscle. However, other countries did not have a moratorium placed on the use of silicone implants. Silicone implants remain the most commonly used implants in countries outside the US. Because they are less wrinkly they may be less likely to develop rippling that is easily noticed to other people. However, that also depends on the size of the implants being used and how thick a woman's naturally existing tissue is. Visit with the surgeon who placed your implants and show that surgeon what you are showing us in your photographs. If this motion bothers you enough you may find it worth looking into having the implants placed in front of the pectoralis major muscles.
Helpful
April 11, 2017
Answer: Breast augmentation concerns Thank you for your question and photographs. The indentation across your chest with movement is to be expected after subpectoral placement of your implants. This is a totally normal anatomic finding as when the muscle contracts it causes slight displacement of your implants. Hopefully this was discussed with you preoperatively. The only treatment for this would be to remove her implants and placed them subglandularly (above the muscle) if this bothers you significantly.
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April 11, 2017
Answer: Breast augmentation concerns Thank you for your question and photographs. The indentation across your chest with movement is to be expected after subpectoral placement of your implants. This is a totally normal anatomic finding as when the muscle contracts it causes slight displacement of your implants. Hopefully this was discussed with you preoperatively. The only treatment for this would be to remove her implants and placed them subglandularly (above the muscle) if this bothers you significantly.
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