Something weird with my breast implants? Falls to the side into my armpits when I lay down (Photo)

Question

Hello! My boobs are about 5 months old now. I hear it's normal to have your boobs fall to the side when you lay down but I feel like my right one is very uneven. It falls into my armpit and feels uncomfortable. Is something wrong? I've attached a couple of images. One of the pics shows my finger marking where the edge of implant is, when I'm laying down. My doctor hasn't said anything but I'm seeking expert advice before I head in to talk to him.

Tom J. Pousti, MD · Answer

I am sorry to hear about the problem you are experiencing after breast augmentation surgery. Based on your description and pictures, it seems like you are experiencing a breast implant displacement problem.
Generally, the lateral breast implant displacement can be corrected using an internal suture technique, decreasing the size of the pockets and moving the implants toward the midline. Doing so will prevent the breast implants from migrating to the sides when you lie down and will help centralize the position on the breast mounds. In my practice, this repair is done with a 2 layered suture technique. The use of acellular dermal matrix is an option ( although not usually necessary) especially if significant implant rippling/palpability is present.  I find the use of goal photographs very helpful during this process.  The use of temporary intraoperative sizers will also help determine the best  size/profile breast implant to utilize.

I hope this, and the attached link (dedicated to lateral breast implant displacement concerns) helps. Best wishes.

Jed H. Horowitz, MD, FACS · Answer

During breast implant surgery a #pocket is created carefully to maintain certain folds on the sides and bottom of the breast. Occasionally, the space for the breast implant becomes too large on the #side of the chest or the tissue stretches and the implants fall too much to the side. This is most easily seen when the patient is lying on her back. At times, the implants can move towards the patient’s armpit.
Treatment will generally require closing the space with a procedure called a #capsulorrhaphy. In this case, the capsule is closed off internally much as we do when we are trying to raise the breast fold. The capsule is closed with sutures and at times Acellular Dermis Matrix (#ADM) or other soft tissue substitutes would be used to further support this correction. However, it is best to consult with your Plastic Surgeon to better determine with an in-person exam.

Benjamin Chu, MD, FACS · Answer

There are many reasons why implants can fall to the side when laying down.  If the pocket was overly dissected laterally that may be a reason.  If this did not happen initially then the pocket may have stretched over time.  If the medial portion of the pectoralis muscle was not released adequately, contraction of the pectoralis muscle will push the implants to the side.   This frequently happens with transaxillary approaches because it is difficult to release the lower medial portion of the pectoralis from this approach.  You can check if this is the case by flexing the pectoralis muscle and see if the implant becomes displaced to the side.  Sleeping on your belly will stretch the lateral pocket if you are pressing on the implant while you are sleeping.  An examination in person will help to determine why this happened along with some early post-operative pictures.

Something weird with my breast implants? Falls to the side into my armpits when I lay down (Photo)

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Something weird with my breast implants? Falls to the side into my armpits when I lay down (Photo)

Answers (3)

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Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Breast Implants

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