4 weeks post op. Double bubble? Swelling? (photos)

Question

Hi, I had Silicone smooth rounds places sub muscular. I did not need or have a lift. Immediately after surgery I was very swollen and my left incision seemed 'higher' than the right. As swelling has gone down, the incision hasn't. My PS saw me yesterday and says we need to wait several months to see if the skin will relax and residual swelling subside. If not and it bothers me, he will do a revision. Does this look like swelling? Or the dreaded double bubble? Other than this they are great!!

Gary Lawton, MD, FACS · Answer

After 6 months this will likely stretch out and look very nice.  At 4 weeks it is too early to tell anything about the results.

Robert J. Schwartz, MD · Answer

I agree with the other surgeons who have responded that 4 weeks out is too early to accurately judge breast implant results.
But there are several things that suggest this will need surgical repair:
The abrupt contour change on the bottom of the breast. That indentation looks like a transition point between breast skin/tissue and chest skin that has been pulled forward and upward. That strongly suggests a double-bubble.The position of your scar. It appears to be the better part of an inch above the crease under your breast  (inframammary fold). This again suggests that your natural crease has pulled away from the chest wall. If you had a well-defined crease before your breast augmentation, that will produce a double-bubble.Your history of scar position asymmetry. This one is a little trickier because I don't know how symmetric your breasts were before your surgery but it does sound like the left implant settled into a lower position than the right.This indentation may improve as you heal but, most often, it will persist. It can be repaired by suturing the fold back into place, by using your own scar capsule to reposition the implant higher, or by placing a mesh support. 
You should wait at least six months from the original surgery before attempting to correct this. Allowing enough time for proper healing will improve the likelihood that your repair is successful.

Alejandro Nogueira, MD · Answer

Still you have chances to smoothen that ugly double bubble effect, I'd give it 90% chances of total correction if the muscle was totally freed from the skin.

Bradley A. Hubbard, MD · Answer

Thanks for your question Shar86. There can be a lot of reasons for the double bubble image shown, including your suspicion about the double bubble. We have all seen results like this improve over the first 3-6 months post-op so it is important for your to be patient. It sounds like your PS is being very appropriate with their care, so stick with them. Best of luck!

Martin Jugenburg, MD · Answer

At 4 weeks post operative it is too early to tell. With time as your surgeon said it will likely resolve on its own as things settle.

4 weeks post op. Double bubble? Swelling? (photos)

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Answer: Double bubble?

Answer: Double bubble?

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Answer: 4 weeks post op. Double bubble? Swelling?

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4 weeks post op. Double bubble? Swelling? (photos)

Answers (10)

Answer: Double bubble?

Answer: Double bubble?

Answer: 4 weeks post op. Double bubble? Swelling?

Answer: 4 weeks post op. Double bubble? Swelling?

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Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Breast Augmentation

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