Why do my implants go off to the side like this? Are they supposed to sit this low? (Photo)

A number of things can affect how your breasts change over time after augmentation. If you become pregnant, or experience significant weight changes, this can result in the breasts looking more dependant and less full. Large , heavy implants may cause the tissues to stretch over time, resulting in a droopy looking breast. Options to address this would be to have mastopexy , or lift, or consider larger implants. Consult your surgeon to determine which option is best for you.

Dear cami17,I get this problem all of the time.  Typically, its from women who went with high profile implants.  This is a problem because while they project more, they are narrow at the base and can have widening effect on cleavage.  The second most common problem is incomplete release of the pectoralis muscle medially. Many surgeons don't take the time to make this right.  If you're not happy with your results I would suggest you to discuss it with your plastic surgeon. Daniel Barrett, MD

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

I am sorry to hear about/see the problems you are having after breast augmentation surgery. I think your concerns are appropriate; your breast implants do seem to sit quite low on your chest wall, consistent with breast implant displacement ("bottoming out”).
It is possible that you are feeling the implants significantly along the lower poles of the breasts. Patients in your situation often complain of discomfort in the area of implant malposition. Also, consistent with the breast implant positioning problem, the nipple areola complexes seem to be sitting relatively high, because the breast implants have settled too low. 
Generally, signs of breast implant bottoming out include: 
1. Breast implant "sits" too low on the chest wall.
2.  Excessive palpability or visibility of the breast implant along the lower breast pole.
3.  Nipple/areola complex seems to be sitting relatively high, because the breast implants have settled too low. 
4. Discomfort along the lower breast pole (secondary to pressure from the underlying implant).
5. Relative paucity of upper pole breast implant volume compared to lower pole volume.
6. Increased visibility of infra mammary fold scar (higher on the breast mound).
I think you will benefit from revisionary breast surgery which will likely involve capsulorraphy ( internal suture repair). Sometimes, depending mainly on the patient's history and physical examination, I will also use additional supportive materials such as acellular dermal matrix or biosynthetic mesh. This procedure serves to reconstruct the lower poles of the breasts and prevent migration of the breast implants too far inferiorly. Associated issues with positioning of nipple/areola complexes and visibility of the inframmammary fold scars should improve with this operation.
 Make sure that the plastic surgeon who does this procedure for you can demonstrate significant experience with  this type of revisionary breast surgery.   Success rates associated with this type of revisionary surgery are very high, assuming  significant surgeon experience, a well executed procedure, and careful attention to postoperative activity limitations.
I hope this helps.

The problems you are having are common with smooth large saline implants.  The implants have dropped down and laterally.  I frequently perform these revision surgeries where we will remove the saline implants, tighten the pockets, possibly place some reinforcing mesh, and then use more cohesive gummy bear type implants to achieve an improved result.  Good luck. 

Sorry to hear about your implants dropping.  It would be helpful to know if your implants were smooth or textured and what style implants were placed.  The fact that they are under the pec muscles may be part of the answer.  If you work out your chest muscles (such as push-ups, bench press, Yoga, Pilates, etc..) then the pec muscle will force the implants laterally and downward over time.  Smooth implants tend to fall faster than textured ones.  High profile implants also tend to drop faster and bottom out more than wider implants.  Finally, your implants are large and heavy.   I have noticed over the years that if women pick around 350cc or less, they don't tend to have as much problem with sagging over time.