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Sagging Breasts Because of Moderate Profile Implants?

I had 421cc silicone breast implants about 5 months ago. The reason for the surgery was because 4 years ago, I was 145 lbs and now I am 110 lbs. After the weight loss, my breasts dropped from a D to a B and was sagging.

I asked my surgeon to put in high profile implants so that they could appear firm, high and round. Now I am very dissatisfied to find that the surgeon did not put the high profile implants like we had agreed and instead he put moderate one.

After I was released, I was not given any documentation of the type or projection of implants that were used. It was only recently when I told them I was very depressed due to my sagging implants that they informed me that they did not put in high profile implants. Is this the main reason why my breasts are sagging? I did not mind a fake look, I told my surgeon this. I just wanted high implants. What can I do now? Please help!!!

Doctor Answers 8

October 19th, 2010

Implants Don't Lift the Breast

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Sagging of the breast can't be corrected with implants, no matter the profile.

If the nipple is below the height of the breast crease, it can be lifted only with a breast lift.

If breast tissue is sitting too low on the chest (below the breast crease), adding implants will simply make the sagging breasts into larger sagging breasts!

High profile implants do provide a rounder shape to the breasts, and more upper pole fullness, but don't elevate any of the tissues.

Learn more: http://drzwiebel.com/breast-augmentation-denver/

Paul C. Zwiebel, MD


Denver Plastic Surgeon
4.7 out of 5 stars 43 reviews

October 11th, 2010

Your implants aren't sagging - your own tissues are

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No implant will lift sagging breast tissues after massive weight loss.  Even HP ones!  You need a breast lift to reshape the breasts, get more tone in the tissues and to elevate the nipples to a youthful location.  Implants will then add volume to the newly shaped breast (can be all done at once).  The HP's will give you more projection and upper pole fullness than the moderates but by themselves won't lift your tissues if they are droopy.

Richard P. Rand, MD, FACS
October 11th, 2010

Your implant profile is not what is making your breasts sag

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It sounds like you need a breast lift.  An implant, no matter the size or profile, will not "lift" your breast.  You'll need to talk to your surgeon about your expectations and ASK him why he used the implants he used.  But don't expect any implant to lift your breasts---let your surgeon know your end goal, then let him tell you how he recommends you get there.  Good luck!

Carmen Kavali, MD

Carmen Kavali, MD
Atlanta Plastic Surgeon
4.6 out of 5 stars 46 reviews

January 15th, 2010

Breast implants

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Certainly if you are unhappy you should review this with yoru doctor. The sagging of lack of fulness, tightness, whatever, may be related to the quality of your skin after the weight loss. Perhaps you need a breast lift?

Steven Wallach, MD

Steven Wallach, MD
New York Plastic Surgeon
4.2 out of 5 stars 30 reviews

January 14th, 2010

Shape of breast implants not the cause of sagging.

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Hi.

Your breasts sag after breast implants.  This usually means that you needed a breast lift  together with your breast augmentation in the first place. The exact shape of the implants would not make the difference.  You might look worse with high profiles.

George J. Beraka, MD (retired)
Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

March 3rd, 2009

Them?

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Amorosa,

Have you received the identification documents on your implant type? Every patient is supposed to receive this information for their records. I am a little concerned about the "them" and "they". Sometimes "they", meaning the surgeon's staff don't correctly communicate information, vis a vis, the old game "Telephone" (if you're old enough to remember that). I suggest a follow up appointment with the surgeon. Then you can get the information straight from the horse's mouth. If it's not the information that you anticipated based on your pre surgery discussions, you can have a frank conversation with the surgeon to see where the confusion occurred. Good luck!

Kenneth R. Francis, MD, FACS
March 3rd, 2009

You may need a breast lift

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I agree with Dr. Yuan that you need to have a frank and open discussion with your doctor. If the wrong implants were placed, then correction is indicated.

That said, breast implants, high profile or other, can only achieve a small amount of breast lift. If your nipple was below the fold beneath your breast (the inframammary fold), then no implant can achieve a lifted look. A dermal mastopexy or breast lift is required to place the nipple in a higher location.

5 months is long enough to achieve a final result in terms of breast implant position. I know it is hard, but try to have a frank, objective discussion with your doctor about your disappointment. Be calm and do not let anger creep into the discussion. Your doctor wants you to be happy and will work with you to resolve the problem, but dont make the doctor feel defensive; that will be non-productive.

Be sure that you ask the doctor if you need a breast lift-if you do, your current implants may look excellent after the lift.

Brooke R. Seckel, MD, FACS
March 3rd, 2009

Talk frankly with your surgeon

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I feel that most of what is really crucial in plastic surgery happens before you go into the operating room. And the most important thing is communication. If you and your surgeon agreed on a specific procedure with specific implants then someone has some explaining to do. However, often procedures are not worked out in fine detail and much is left to interpretation or to judgment. Ask your surgeon why the implants you thought was going to be used, or that you agreed was going to be used, was not. Some times it is a matter of semantics and labeling since different implant companies use differrent terminology and a doctor can refer to a "moderate" implant that is really a low-profile implant or refer to a "higher" profile implants that is only a mid-profile or moderate plus type implant. In the end, what is used may or may not be important, only whether or not you are satisfied with your result no matter what has been used.

Robin T.W. Yuan, MD
Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon

These answers are for educational purposes and should not be relied upon as a substitute for medical advice you may receive from your physician. If you have a medical emergency, please call 911. These answers do not constitute or initiate a patient/doctor relationship.