Implants are Far Apart - Can They Be Moved Toward Center?

Unfortunately, it’s impossible to move implants in an inward
direction without surgery. This type of maneuver would require expansion of the
medial breast pockets.This would
require surgical intervention. Even if
your implants could be moved in an inward direction, it’s not necessarily in
your best interest.It’s important to
note that implants need to be centered beneath the nipple areola
complexes.In many cases, the areolas
are laterally positioned.If the
implants are moved in an inward direction, the areolas will literally sit on
the sides of the breasts.For
this reason, you should discuss this issue with your plastic surgeon.Your surgeon should be able to give you
insight into your current situation.

If your implants are under the muscle, then it is the attachment of the muscle along the breast bone that limits how close they can come in. Although the muscle can be partially released in order to expand the pocket in that direction, if it is overdone then you get a symmastia. This also apples to implants above the muscle. Other factors include implant diameter and size. A push-up/in bra may help a bit early on.

It all depends on the details.  The first question you have to determine is why the implants are far apart?  This can be due to pre-existing anatomy.  This can be due to initial implant placement, or this can be due to residual muscle activity, if the implants are under the muscle.  Each problem has its own potential risk, specifically creating symmastia, which creates a "una-boob" appearance.  The best bet is to talk to your surgeon about your concerns and see what kind of solution can realistically be offered.

It depends.  I picture would be very helpful.  If your natural breasts are far apart on your chest wall then it would not be possible to move them closer.  If your pockets were developed out too much toward your armpits then correction would be possible.

Dr. ES

Your breast implant position may not be that easy to change 5 weeks after surgery.  Breast implant massage, especially with both breast implants massage aggressively to the midline/ sternum/ chest plate, may help to push the implants together, or they may not. 

There are a lot of variables regarding breast implant placement in the midline, including your overall tissue, your previous medical history, your smoking history, the profile of the implants, any complications after surgery, and simply how you swell and heal, so given the information you've given us, it's hard for me and others to figure out how close is too close versus too far. 

I wish you the best of luck.

The implants can be moved closer together to create greater "cleavage".  This generally requires a medial capsulotomy and lateral capsulorrhaphHowever, you risk the possiblity of visible rippling on the inner aspects as well as the possibility of synmastia (UNIBOOB)

Of course it is impossible to answer your question with such little information. However, many women worry about their breast implants being too far apart after surgery. In most situations the early results can be predicted during your physical examination and consultation with a Plastic Surgeon. The most commonly performed technique for breast augmentatin involves placing the implants in a sub-pectoral or sub-muscular position. The pectoral muscle that rests over your new implants attaches to the edges of the sternum (breast bone) and becomes the cleavage border for your results. If you have a wide sternum then the width of your cleavage will be wider. Releasing the muscle origin more aggressively to narrow the cleavage is foolish and can result in deformities that are hard to correct.

If your implants are under your muscle then during the first few months the tension and swelling will exagerate the space between your breasts. Stretches and time will allow your implants to move to the edge or limits of the pocket and that will be as good as it gets.

In summary, the space between your breasts is determined by your anatomy. The profile, volume, and positioning of your implants can influnce the features of your cleavage but the distance between the breasts is unique for each patient. Over and above the limitations of your anatomy, the following can result in a wider and less attractive cleavage: higher profile implants, narrow implant diameters, wider implant pockets and unusual rib contours. All of this can be clearly discussed before you have your surgery.

Dr. Mosher

No, without another surgery, you won't be able to do much to move the implants closer together.  Please keep in mind that you are only 5 weeks out and that the implants most likely still need to settle into the pockets, etc. and so the size and shape may change.  There are limitations to what surgeon's can do in the operating room and without a photo or examining you, it's difficult to say what would need to be performed.  I have helped many patients with improvement of implant placement on their chest wall - it all depends on the examination.  Give yourself time to heal and see how things turn out.

The short answer to your question is no, they cannot be moved closer together without another surgery. Breast implants need to be centered underneath the breast tissue. If your breasts were far apart before surgery, then they will be far apart after surgery. I make sure to be very clear with patients on this topic during the consultation.

Implants will give the appearance of better cleavage because your breasts are fuller. However, if there is over manipulation, such as using implants that are too wide, or detaching the muscle along the sternum too much, it can lead to some predictable complications such as synmastia. In this case the implant pockets communicate with each other and give the breasts a distorted look. A good bra or undergarment is the most effective way to give you the cleavage you desire.

 The implants cannot be altered without surgery. If the space between the implants are due to errors made in the implant pockets, then yes changes can be made to the position. If the patient’s breasts are naturally far apart, the amount of cleavage and the placement of the implants are generally going to remain in the same as pre-surgery.