How Can You Tell if Your Breast Implants Bottom Out?

In a "C" cup breast, the distance from the areola to the crease is about 6 cm (3 inches), slightly more for "D" cup.  If the distance in 2 cm or so longer, the volume of the breast will appear well below the horizontal axis.  This is most commonly seen in submuscular implants where the vector of the pectoralis muscle pushing on the implant stretches the capsule and creates this problem.

You may have a little bottoming out, but it is really just the relative difference in nipple position from left to right.  Breasts are naturally asymmetric.  I think you outcome is good and you should not address it surgically.

"Bottoming Out" is the term given to implant #displacement, where the implant drops down below the existing inframammary fold; the natural crease beneath your breast. This may occur when the fold has been released excessively during surgery or may be due to factors of the patient’s collagen and tissue integrity. The implants then sit very low on the chest with a lack of internal support for the implant itself.Correction usually involves #restoring the crease beneath your breast to it's normal position with internal reconstruction of the capsule around the implant (#capsulorrhaphy). Sometimes a biologic fabric (Acellular Dermal Matrix or #ADM) can be used to attach to the breast tissue internally while supporting the implant.This corrects the placement of the implant, redefines the breast shape, and also refines the internal fold. However, it is best to consult with your Plastic Surgeon to better confirm with an in-person exam.

Thank you for sharing your picture and question. Upon reviewing your picture it appears that your implants are slightly bottoming out. At this point, I recommend going back to your surgeon for an in-person evaluation so he can better assess your bottoming out. As far as bottoming out surgery goes, in order to repair bottoming out implants I will either close the pocket with internal sutures or restore and support the breast pocket using Strattice™ Reconstructive Tissue Matrix (sterile tissue derived from porcine skin), which is designed to support tissue regeneration. Strattice secures the implant location to reduce future migration problems. After your breast implants bottoming out repair surgery, your breasts will look elevated and symmetrical again.I have attached a link to more information about bottoming out implants for you to review. Good luck!

Thank you for your question. This condition is a form of Implant migration. Although, it can be seen with all types of augmentation. It is more common with violation of natural mammary crease of the breast and/or too large of an implant. Hope this helped, best of luck!Dhaval M. PatelDouble board certifiedPlastic surgeon Hoffman EstatesBarringtonOakbrookChicago

You should make an appointment with your surgeon for an in person consultation. If you are bottoming out then here is some information which could help you. Large Implants due to their weight, gravity, thinning of tissues, chronically not wearing a bra, loss of elasticity and other factors may cause continued stretching so that your breast implant is no longer supported in its ideal position. This results in the progressive lowering of the inferior breast crease (inframammary fold). When the implant moves South to an undesired inferior position it results in the loss of volume and flattening of the upper pole of the breast, too much volume at the lower pole, increasing the distance from the fold to the nipple and finally the nipple position being abnormally high ( pointing up) and not centered. Similarly, the pocket can also stretch to the side (lateral) so that when lying down your implants fall towards your arm pits or sides, causing the “Side Boobs” appearance.Bottoming out and Side Boobs Contributing Factors:Larger/Heavier ImplantsImplants placed above the pectoralis muscleChronically not wearing a bra when uprightOver dissection of the Implant PocketSmooth ImplantsLarge swings of weight including pregnancySkin and soft tissue laxity, loss of elasticity#bottomingout#breastaugmentation