Pocket Stretched 6 Months After Breast Implants

Question

I got implants underneath the muscle six months ago, now the pocket in my left breast has stretched. What can be done. It is causing the implant to fall underneath my arm when I lay down

Otto Joseph Placik, MD · Answer

This is a difficult problem to predict and therefore, prevent. Some patients are more prine to this problem and certainly larger implants can exacerbate this tendency. A revision may be required as well as long term use of nocturnal support garments to prevent recurrence. Textured implants could help but have their drawbacks.

Richard Baxter, MD · Answer

Since the muscle covers the top and inner portion of the implant but not the outer part or bottom, occasionally the muscle essentially pushes the implant down and out. It is usually repaired by sewing up the pocket surgically. However, if your tissues are thin around the implant, the stitching may not be enough to prevent it from recurring. In that case a reinforcing graft with a material called Strattice will be helpful: www.renewingyou.com

Scott C. Sattler, MD, FACS · Answer

From the description, it sounds like you dislike the position of your submuscular implant when you are lying flat- the implant slides off your chest into your armpit region. It could be the case the outside portion of your implant pocket was made too large, allowing the implant to displace too far to the side. Without a photo, this is all conjecture. If the problem really bothers you, I'd recommend waiting about 12 months for the implant capsule to thicken, and then consider a lateral capsular repair (capsulorraphy) and a medial capsulotomy with some additional muscle release to centralize the implants. 

	Check out the weblink below for an example of this problem.

Steven Wallach, MD · Answer

I fh te pocket is too large a capsulorrhaphy can be performed to tighten up the pocket laterally so that the implants do not migrate too far laterally.

Nick Masri, MD, FACS · Answer

It happens much more than expected. The breast implant may move laterally to an area where the muscle does not cover it. In some cases this is caused by excercise. the pectoralis muscle pushes firmly on the implant. The skin may then stretch just enough to allow the implant to slip through. It may also be caused by inelastic or sagging skin not lending enough lateral support. Surgeon error may also be to blame . It may be that there was an over agressive dissection of the pocket.

Nonetheless there are surgical options to treat this issue. They usually involve closing the implant pocket with a series of well placed stitches. It really depends on how much lateral excursion there is and the conditon of the skin and the muscle surrounding the implant.

Pocket Stretched 6 Months After Breast Implants

Answers (10)

Answer: Large pocket

Answer: Large pocket

Answer: Breast implants can slip out of the pocket

Answer: Breast implants can slip out of the pocket

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Everything you need to know about Breast Implants

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Pocket Stretched 6 Months After Breast Implants

Answers (10)

Answer: Large pocket

Answer: Large pocket

Answer: Breast implants can slip out of the pocket

Answer: Breast implants can slip out of the pocket

Browse related questions

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.