Will the muscle repair itself after breast implant removal no lift under local or is general and muscle repair DEFINITELY needed

Question

I have animation deformity worse in my left breast. Most suregons are saying it comes with the territory. However after removing them under local anesthesia what expectations should I have for my breasts to return to NORMAL with no movement when the pectoral muscle is flexing? ***Explant is in early November implants in for 4 months.***

Shlomo Widder, MD · Answer

Dear Texan,   Front and side view pictures, including during animation, would have been very helpful. The simple answer to your question is that you can have the implants removed under local anesthesia and you are not going to have any issues with animation.  However, my question to you is why do you have animation problems ? Animation problems can happen due to the following reasons:  1. Insufficient release of the lower attachment of the Pectoral muscle  . It needs to be release all the way across from the infero medial fold to the infero lateral fold.  2. Double bubble deformity.  3. Lateral displacement of implants .   When done correctly in expert hands, breasts augmentation is one of the best investment a woman can do for herself. So, rethink you decision. You might be better off consulting with other experience board certified plastic surgeons who might be able to salvage your situation.   Always, check the before and after pictures of redo breasts augmentation in the photo gallery, to make sure that they are numerous, consistent and attractive with nice cleavage, perky, symmetrical and natural looking.                            Best of luck,                                         Dr Widder

John J. Corey, MD · Answer

I do this frequently in my office ( just did one on Friday!) and like the others, I have never seen a patient that needed a muscle repair. I prefer to only do this with Saline implants (if a silicone implant were ruptured the slight cleansing of the pocket needed might be uncomfortable!) but with only 4 month old implants, even if silicone gel, you should be fine...

Christian A. Prada, MD, FACS · Answer

The risk of having an animation defect after your implant removal is extremely low, and I have not seen it in my practice.  The bigger issue is whether you will have loose skin and more sag post op.  Talk to your surgeon about this prior to your surgery.

Kenneth R. Francis, MD, FACS · Answer

Dear teamnatural25,I don't know if you should be so hasty in removing your breast implants for a hyperdynamic animation deformity.  There are massaging maneuvers that you can perform that are sometimes effective in releasing the tethered muscles.  Sometimes the condition even resolves on its own.  Four months post surgery is a relatively early time frame and perhaps further discussion with your plastic surgeon is in order.  Good luck!

John V. Williams, MD · Answer

If you have  very little breast tissue over the chest muscle there is a greater likelihood that there will be movement when the Pectoralis Muscle is flexing. 
Often the muscle has become scarred and contracted and it is often impossible  to correct this. If the movement continues to be a significant problem it may be possible to release the breast tissue from the overlying muscle. Another option may be fat grafting . 
Usually  there is significant laxity of the breast tissue and skin after implant removal and this also need to be evaluated eg: Breast Lift.

Steven Wallach, MD · Answer

It is impossible to predict how the msucle will respond after the implant is removed. On the other hand, I have never sewn the muscle back down, because there is often nothing except the rib periosteum to sew to, and likely the sutures would tear out during flexion.

Karol A. Gutowski, MD, FACS · Answer

There is no way to predict the animation after implant removal but it may be better to reposition the muscle back down to its normal position.

Francis (Frank) William Rieger, MD (retired) · Answer

Although this is so early to remove and exchange implants after a subpectoral breast augmentation, if you choose to do this you should not need to repair the muscle.  Simply create a new, possibly a subglandular pocket bilaterally and place new implants into this new pocket.Good luck to you.Frank Rieger M.D. Tampa Plastic Surgeon

William J. Koenig, MD (retired) · Answer

Most if the time implants can be removed under local anesthesia depending on the incision, size, texturing and patient tolerance.  Talk to your surgeon about options.  After 4 months, breasts usually will return to their preoperative size, shape and movement after removal. Good luck.

Will the muscle repair itself after breast implant removal no lift under local or is general and muscle repair DEFINITELY needed

Answers (9)

More Breast Implant Revision Questions

Is 450-500 cc too large or unsafe for my petite frame? (Photo)

Will using drains for breast implant revision surgery help decrease the chance of capsular contracture?

Has any other surgeon ever sutured onto the cartilage onto ribs to correct symmastia? (Photos)

I had my breast augmentation 2 months ago. I had 415cc in 1 breast & 450cc in the other one.

How likely is it an infection if a scab won’t heal? 5 weeks post Breast Implant Revision. (photos)

WE SEND PRETTY
EMAILS