Ehlers Danlos Syndrome & breast augmentation: what do I need to know before getting surgery?

Unfortunately, you have not told us your bra size or provided photographs.  Since you have had pregnancies, most patients will often droop from the weight changes.  It is possible that augmentation is not your best option.  An alternative may be a breast lift with fat transfers.  Fat transfers are permanent and incorporated into the body.  Implants are not lifetime devices and frequently require revisions.  I would be reluctant to add additional weight to your breasts if you have Ehlers Danlos Syndrome.Best Wishes,Gary Horndeski, M.D.

Ehlers  danlos syndrome is quite variable in its presentation and unpredictable.  If your breasts stretched out and sagged with breastfeeding thst would be a good clue as to whether an implant will sag.

It is great that you are thinking ahead. Each patient with this diagnosis will need careful discussions to determine the risks. I have treated at least three patients with this condition. Two out of the three were having recurrent problems from having had breast augmentation in the past and where there was no concerns raised about their diagnosis. Another patient has had a successful outcome with a modest sized augmentation. You will be at higher risk for implant malposition, asymmetries, etc. Becoming well informed is the only way to make a decision. Good luck researching this further. 

Dear PerfectlyScarred,
it is hard to tell for sure without an examination. If you are considering a surgery, I would suggest you to consult a board-certified plastic surgeon. Only after a thorough examination you will get more information and recommendations.
Daniel Barrett, MD

Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

Ehlers Danlos Syndrome is a group of disorders that affects the connective tissue, skin, bones, blood vessels, joints and organs. There are various forms of the condition and, without knowing the specifics it is very difficult to answer your question. Some with Ehlers Danlos can experience highly elastic, stretchy and fragile skin and connective tissue, making it difficult to support breast implants. The condition can also contribute to poor healing after elective surgery. I would recommend speaking with your primary physician about your specific condition and how they feel you would do as a surgical candidate.

Hello! Thank you for your question. As others have noted, Ehler-Danlos Syndrome is associated with an increased risk of complications. It is important to discuss this with your plastic surgeon prior to surgery. Keep in mind that if you decide to pursue surgery it’s very important that you find a surgeon whom you are comfortable with and trust and who evaluates you in-person and tailors an individualized treatment plan for you and your aesthetic goals. Best of luck!
Matthew A. DelMauro, M.D.

You will want to first discuss your desire for breast augmentation with the physician you see for your EDS to obtain medical clearance.  You are at higher risk for complications due to your EDS, but because of the variability of this condition it is not possible to predict how you may do without knowing more details.

There is a wide variety in the symptoms of Ehlers Danlos Syndrome. However, if you did well with pregnancy and maintained good skin tone, you might do well with elective surgery. I would suggest first discussing this with your medical doctor to see if this is recommended for you. Your medical doctor is the most familiar with your specific syndrome and can help you determine if you are a candidate for this.

Ehlers-Danlos is a congenital defect that affects collagen formation.  This can lead to hyperflexible joints, weak blood vessels, poor skin healing.  The patients that I have worked with heal terribly.  I typically leave stitches in much longer and these patients usually have thinned out and wide scars.  I have not done implants on an EDS patient, but I would be concerned not only about implants shifting, but the appearance of the scar.  I think there are definite risks associated with your case.  I would discuss this fully with a board certified plastic surgeon and consider the additional risks

Hi thereThis is a difficult question to answer.  EDS is a rare and heterogenous condition.  I have only treated one patient with the condition with breast augmentation.  EDS can influence the quality of the scar, healing and the long term outcome from breast augmentation as the implants may lack support. The fact that your skin didn’t struggle after childbirth is encouraging.Good luck.
Dr Mark Hanikeri MBBS, FRACS
Perth Specialist Plastic Surgeon