6 months post op. High profile saline implants were used, 380cc on left, 450cc on right side. My breasts are now getting in the way if my arms and they have a huge gap in between. I have to wear both a bra AND a bra like garment that pushes them together. I have waited 6 months to see if the situation improved before talking to my surgeon. My surgeon says that my sternum is too wide to put them any closer. I am concerned about asking her to fix it. Plus, I am concerned that she doesn't know how.
Answer: Breast augmentation revision
Preoperative education is key to any plastic surgery procedure. It doesn't necessarily look like anything is wrong with your result, it simply looks like the result that I would expect given your preoperative breast shape and the size of the implants that were used. The shape of the ribcage and sternum impacts the final position of the implants. If the sternum is prominent and the chest wall angles to the sides, then the implants will follow and result in a more pronounced space between the breasts. Not much can be done about this. Larger implants, particulary high profile saline implants, will result in some stretching of the lower pole of the breast which you have. If you are unhappy with your surgical result you should discuss this with your surgeon. Improvement in your breast shape would likely require removal of the implants, replacement with smaller implants (likely silicone), and a breast lift with an anchor-type incision. Every choice carry consequences and it is important to determine what final shape you are really looking for and make sure you convey that to your surgeon. Good luck.
Helpful 1 person found this helpful
Answer: Breast augmentation revision
Preoperative education is key to any plastic surgery procedure. It doesn't necessarily look like anything is wrong with your result, it simply looks like the result that I would expect given your preoperative breast shape and the size of the implants that were used. The shape of the ribcage and sternum impacts the final position of the implants. If the sternum is prominent and the chest wall angles to the sides, then the implants will follow and result in a more pronounced space between the breasts. Not much can be done about this. Larger implants, particulary high profile saline implants, will result in some stretching of the lower pole of the breast which you have. If you are unhappy with your surgical result you should discuss this with your surgeon. Improvement in your breast shape would likely require removal of the implants, replacement with smaller implants (likely silicone), and a breast lift with an anchor-type incision. Every choice carry consequences and it is important to determine what final shape you are really looking for and make sure you convey that to your surgeon. Good luck.
Helpful 1 person found this helpful
Answer: Breast Enhancement Lots of information here, sometimes revision surgery works and sometimes it makes things worse. You really need to think about how much time,money, and energy you want to put into this!
Helpful
Answer: Breast Enhancement Lots of information here, sometimes revision surgery works and sometimes it makes things worse. You really need to think about how much time,money, and energy you want to put into this!
Helpful
February 1, 2013
Answer: Widely-spaced implants
An implant is designed to add volume to the breasts, nothing more. It is not designed to change the basic shape of the breast. Looking at your before and after pictures, it appears that you had a fairly wide cleavage before your surgery that did not change afterwards. This is because you have a very wide chest bone. If you feel over that chest bone you will feel skin and bone. I have seen patients who have come through my door where a doctor has tried to give them better cleavage by undermining the skin over the chest bone. Only bad things result from this. First, there is very little tissue coverage over the implant and any little ripple/wrinkle can be seen/felt in this area. Secondly, the implant is not centered behind the nipple/areola but rather more towards the middle of the chest. This results in the nipples pointing towards opposite walls. For patients with a wide chest bone, I usually don't mess with trying to give them more cleavage using an implant. That is the purpose of push-up/push-in bras.
Now, if you lie on your back and your implants slide out into your armpits, that is a different issue. In this case, there is not enough support for your implants laterally. This may require a second surgery to tighten up the outside portion of the breast pocket so that the implants don't migrate outwards when you lie down.
Helpful
February 1, 2013
Answer: Widely-spaced implants
An implant is designed to add volume to the breasts, nothing more. It is not designed to change the basic shape of the breast. Looking at your before and after pictures, it appears that you had a fairly wide cleavage before your surgery that did not change afterwards. This is because you have a very wide chest bone. If you feel over that chest bone you will feel skin and bone. I have seen patients who have come through my door where a doctor has tried to give them better cleavage by undermining the skin over the chest bone. Only bad things result from this. First, there is very little tissue coverage over the implant and any little ripple/wrinkle can be seen/felt in this area. Secondly, the implant is not centered behind the nipple/areola but rather more towards the middle of the chest. This results in the nipples pointing towards opposite walls. For patients with a wide chest bone, I usually don't mess with trying to give them more cleavage using an implant. That is the purpose of push-up/push-in bras.
Now, if you lie on your back and your implants slide out into your armpits, that is a different issue. In this case, there is not enough support for your implants laterally. This may require a second surgery to tighten up the outside portion of the breast pocket so that the implants don't migrate outwards when you lie down.
Helpful
January 31, 2013
Answer: Breast implants
You want your implants centered behind your nipples. In your pre-op photo there is a wide gap between your breasts, and that should not change with surgery. If you move the implants closer together, there will not be normal breast tissue covering the inside of the implants, and you may see rippling. In addition, it make your nipples point to the side.
Helpful
January 31, 2013
Answer: Breast implants
You want your implants centered behind your nipples. In your pre-op photo there is a wide gap between your breasts, and that should not change with surgery. If you move the implants closer together, there will not be normal breast tissue covering the inside of the implants, and you may see rippling. In addition, it make your nipples point to the side.
Helpful
January 31, 2013
Answer: Implants too Far to the Side
You are asking the right questions. Is your surgeon willing, but more importantly, is your surgeon able to correct this? Before you undergo any more surgery, seek out a second opinion. Make sure the surgeon is experienced in revisional breast surgery and ask to see pictures. There are several possibilities to improving your breasts. Without a careful exam and review of your pre-op pictures and operative notes its hard to specific. However, changing to a more moderate profile silicone gel implant, medial capsulotomy combined with a lateral/inferior capsulorrhaphy are some thoughts that come to mind. Hope this helps. Good Luck!
Helpful 1 person found this helpful
January 31, 2013
Answer: Implants too Far to the Side
You are asking the right questions. Is your surgeon willing, but more importantly, is your surgeon able to correct this? Before you undergo any more surgery, seek out a second opinion. Make sure the surgeon is experienced in revisional breast surgery and ask to see pictures. There are several possibilities to improving your breasts. Without a careful exam and review of your pre-op pictures and operative notes its hard to specific. However, changing to a more moderate profile silicone gel implant, medial capsulotomy combined with a lateral/inferior capsulorrhaphy are some thoughts that come to mind. Hope this helps. Good Luck!
Helpful 1 person found this helpful