Is this 'animation deformity'? (Photo)

Question

I'm just about 6 weeks post-op. 260cc silicone Natrelle style 20 (high profile) in both. I noticed a few days ago that if I stretched, bent arms back or if I was flexing my pectoral muscles, my right breast would appear 'sucked in', it would ride up & the bottom would have a bizzare, cone (& flat bottom).shape. What is going on here?! What do you think this is? My options? I'm crushed that we spent so much on surgery and now I have a freakish looking breast. Dr's appt is scheduled for Friday...

Richard Baxter, MD · Answer

Animation deformity such as you pictures show is very common with the dual plane procedure, because the muscle is detached from the chest wall and the cut edge then adheres to the scar capsule as it forms. It will not get better with time. Correction of the problem is either conversion to the split muscle plane or placing the implants above the muscle with re-attachment of the muscle.

Martin Jugenburg, MD · Answer

Given you are only 6 weeks post operative this may change with time. Follow up with your surgeon for an in person examination to clarify. Regards,

Bradley A. Hubbard, MD · Answer

Thanks for your question and picture. Your pictures are a very good example of animation deformity. This is an unavoidable complication of submusclar augmentation. The decreased rate of CC, increased camouflage of the implant, and easier mammogram screening are worth the complication. Best of luck!

Lewis Albert Andres, MD · Answer

Hello!  Thank you for your question.  It does appear with your description as well as the photo that you do have an animation deformity. This is a potential complication with the sub pectoral breast augmentation and should have been discussed.  It sometimes improves over time, but may never resolve.  If it worsens or continues to be bothersome to you, consideration for change of placement to a subglandular or subfascial position should be entertained.  Hope that this helps.  Best wishes!

Nana N. Mizuguchi, MD, FACS · Answer

You are experiencing animation deformity.  This is more obvious initially and may improve with time.  I would most definitely go and speak with your surgeon.Best Wishes,Nana Mizuguchi, MD

Tom J. Pousti, MD · Answer

Yes, I think that your photographs do demonstrate animation deformity; hopefully, this will improve with time given that you are only six weeks out of surgery. In other words, as the breast implant "settle" hopefully the grip of the pectorals major contraction will decrease. If, on the other hand, you remain displeased in the longer term, further release of the pectorals major muscle  or conversion to the self glandular space (after careful consideration all the potential downsides associated with this maneuver), may be necessary. Best wishes for an outcome that you will be pleased with longer-term.

Vasdev Rai, MD · Answer

This often occurs with implants behind muscle.  Muscle contraction causes it. Its fix is implants in front of muscle.

Zachary Farris, MD, FACS · Answer

Yes, it appears that this is an animation deformity on your right side.  This can sometimes occur after placing the implant under the muscle.  Options to correct this include surgically releasing the muscle or placing the implant above the muscle.  Be sure to discuss this situation with your surgeon.  Good luck.

Jack Peterson, MD · Answer

Yes, your picture does demonstrates animation deformity. This animation deformity is going to be seen at least to some extent with any implant placed below the chest wall muscle with flexion of the chest wall muscle. If this is sufficiently bothersome, the only solution would be to change the plane of implant placement to a plane above the chest wall muscle. There are multiple options in plane of implant placement. These include subglandular, subfascial, subpectoral or biplanar and total submuscular placement. The correct plane of placement for each patient depends on multiple factors including patient expectations,  soft tissue thickness, amount of native breast tissue, breast ptosis,  activity level, gel versus saline implants, implant size and route of implant placement. All of these factors figure in to which plane will be the best option for you. There is no one option that is best for all patients. Best of luck.

Victor Ferrari, MD, FACS · Answer

Sorry to hear about your breast implant animation.  You have a very nice result and your PS has done a good job.  Unfortunately, animation is very common after submuscular placement.  I always discuss this with patients before the surgery and show them photos of animating breasts.  If they have enough breast to cover an implant over the muscle without risk of visible rippling, then I have them consider getting over-the-muscle (subfascial) placement.  It's possible your breast tissue was too thin so your PS didn't offer that to you.  Be cautious if you exercise your chest muscles because even simple exercises such as push-ups, Yoga, Pilates, bench press, etc can cause the breast implant pocket to stretch and the implants will drift to the side and downward (thereby creating a wider cleavage gap).  Discuss your concerns with your PS.

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