Breasts and Pectorals Look Weird After Implant Removal

Question

After I had my implants removed, my breast look weird as well as the pectoral muscle. When I lift my arm, breast goes up also just as if i had implants. It also feels like something is missing in the middle of my breast, like there is no muscle there anymore, making my breast go apart, closer to my armpits and changing its shape. Did my doctor do anything wrong? Can anything can be done in this situation? Before augmentation, I used to work a lot with pectoral. What about now? Will it make my breast look even more weird?

Otto Joseph Placik, MD · Answer

Releasing the muscle is a normal part of the intiial surgery. However, reattaching the muscle is considerablly more difficult. To some degree, I would avoud pectorais exercises. Botox can be used for this purpose but will require repeated treatments. Hollows can be filled with fat grafting.

Jed H. Horowitz, MD, FACS · Answer

Good day! It is not clear how far you are along with your recovery and it is difficult to assess without an in person examination or at least a photo. Generally after explantation, the shape and size of the breast will be unpredictable. The breast will be smaller and possibly sag more. Still, it varies between patients depending on their age, duration and size of the implant, or previous state of their breasts like existing anatomy, deformity, previous surgeries, underlying personal and family medical conditions, nicotine use, and other factors. Improved appearance can also be achieved through natural breast augmentation or mastopexy in conjunction or after explantation. Do not hesitate to contact your surgeon about this and discuss realistic goals and expectations. Best of luck! #RealSelf100

Lu-Jean Feng, MD · Answer

In the attached video I demonstrate the "en bloc" technique for a bilateral periprosthetic capsulectomy. This patient had two sets of implants in her lifetime, both under the muscle. I repaired the damage to the pectoral muscle to minimize and prevent deformity. I hope this video helps to answer your question.

Farbod Esmailian, MD · Answer

I would assume from what you have said that you have your implants in for a while. Things are usually never the same I would bet that your surgeon did not do anything wrong.

	The pec muscle is released inferiorly when the implants are put in so after having the implants for a while the pec muscle atrophies or thins out a bit and does begin to window shade superiorly. So, yes inferiorly you do not have any pec muscle and you may have somewhat an hollow area.

	A lot also depends on how big your implants were and how much breast tissue you have. You may also need a lift which would help things out.

	Good luck.

Robert M. Freund, MD · Answer

Your pocket has scarred down to the pectoralis muscle. The muscle has been cut at the inner lower border - on purpose. Now that the im[plants are removed, the muscle separate and the breast tissue follows. To correct the hollow, fill the hollow with fat and attempt to resuspend the muscle.

	Your doctor did not do anything wrong!

Breasts and Pectorals Look Weird After Implant Removal

Answers (8)