Are my implants starting to double bubble during pregnancy? (Photo)

You are correct in your description of a " double bubble" or double contour associated most commonly with submuscular implants . During pregnancy, the breast tissue enlarges and the skin stretches. This has caused the breast to slump off of the implant, creating the observed appearance. After pregnancy, the breast tissue will involute, and the skin will contract to some degree, however quite often the breast does not resume its prepregnancy state, and a revision is required.

Good afternoon!Get in one of those tight supportive nursing bras now, and wear it 24/7 until you stop breastfeeding, and you may also want to consider Erbaviva Stratch Mark Oil. Pregnancy is a very unpredictable variable thrown into the Breast Augmentation world, but managed properly can have minimal impact!

Hi xmi00,

Thank you for the question and the photo. I understand your concern.

Bottoming out occurs when the implant falls below the current breast crease or inframammary line. It's more likely to happen with inframammary incisions, which is why I try not to use the inframammary approach to any breast surgery.

Bottoming out can also occur if an implant is too large for the breast pocket. That is why it is important to choose an implant size that's correct for your body. I perform numerous measurements in the office to determine optimal implant size for my patient's bodies.

Though rare, some women who undergo breast augmentation will develop a minor deformity known as a “double bubble,” in which additional folds appear underneath the breasts due to the implant accidentally shifting or contracting post-surgery. In most cases, the implant simply slipped too far down the chest wall and traveled behind the breast inframammary crease (the area where the lower breast meets the chest), instead of moving forward to fill the breast cavity. If left untreated, the lopsided implant will form unnatural indentations, resulting in an odd “four-breast effect” rather than the full, rounded chest the patient initially desired.

If you are concerned, please check it with your plastic surgeon for reassurance and to further discuss your options and possibility of revision.

Daniel Barrett, MD, MHA, MS

Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery

Member, American Society of Plastic Surgery

Member, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery