Middle of breasts skin (cleavage area) lifted up why? Tenting? (Photos)

Question

I had my breast augmentation about 5 months ago now. 375 cc high profile silicone And from day one I noticed that the middle of my beasts the tissue seems to be lifted up. Isn't it supposed to be flat down on my sternum? Or is it normal? I read online that's normal early post operative period because swelling but it's been 5 months now and is still the same. It hasn't gotten worse but it's just stayed the same. So I'm just wondering, Is it tenting? What could it be? PS the tape is to help with my scars.

Richard Greco, MD · Answer

Synmastia is the appearance of your both breast as coming together too closely.  - Often called a "Uni Boob".   The cause is often over release of the sternal attachments or if submuscular - over resection of the medial segment of the pectoralis muscle.  I would review your results with your plastic surgeon.You have a really narrow chest wall, and relatively large implants for your chest wall.   But they do look like they are medially placed.  More lateral dissection maybe helpful.

Dallas Buchanan, MD · Answer

Thank you for your pictures and questions. I would say that you are developing some early symmastia. From the appearance in the picture, I would bet that pre-op, you had a very wide sternum and widely spaced nipples. In an effort to create medial cleavage and fullness, your surgeon medialized the implants pockets and this led to the lateralized appearance of the nipples and the symmastia. This would likely require surgery to repair. If your original surgeon was not board certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery or well experienced with augmentation surgery, I would suggest now would be a great time for a second opinion by someone who is. Best of luck!

William Andrade, MD · Answer

Hello, if the attachments of the skin over the breast bone (sternum) are disrupted, sometimes a tented look can result which is called synmastia.  Your surgeon will be able to examine you and determine if this is the issue.

Curtis Wong, MD · Answer

and the tented skin re-secured to your chest wall.  This would position your nipples more over the center of the mound (right now they point outwards) and allow the tenting to be fixed.  It will not get better on its own so you should be discussing your options with your surgeon and have it repaired when your surgeon decides its the right time.

Paul Jason Skoll, MBChB, FRCS, FCS(SA)Plast · Answer

You may have a degree of synmastia which may occur when using large implants, and when the operative dissection is carried too far towards the midline. From your front view it seems as if the pockets have been somewhat over-dissected inferiorly and medially (downwards and inwards) such that too much of the implant is seated below the breast meridian, and too close together. See your surgeon and perhaps get a first hand opinion.

Middle of breasts skin (cleavage area) lifted up why? Tenting? (Photos)

Answers (8)

Answer: Implants need to be repositioned more lateral

Answer: Implants need to be repositioned more lateral

Answer: Synmastia

Answer: Synmastia

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Everything you need to know about Breast Implants

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Middle of breasts skin (cleavage area) lifted up why? Tenting? (Photos)

Answers (8)

Answer: Implants need to be repositioned more lateral

Answer: Implants need to be repositioned more lateral

Answer: Synmastia

Answer: Synmastia

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Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Breast Implants

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.