325cc, Mentor, high profile - Is this lateral displacement? (Photos)

Question

I have 325CC mentor high profile implants and my breast implants seem to sit in my armpit, more so in my left implant. What can be done to fix it?

Daniel Barrett, MD · Answer

Dear dewi_11,
I understand your concern. If you have lateral displacement, you will need implant pocket revision in order to improve it. However, without a proper assessment, it would be difficult to determine what is wrong. It is best that you visit your plastic surgeon for further assessment or ask for a second opinion. Only after a thorough examination, you can get proper recommendations and advice.
Daniel Barrett, MDCertified, American Board of Plastic SurgeryMember, American Society of Plastic SurgeryMember, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

Gerald Minniti, MD, FACS · Answer

Your breasts have an appearance of having had implants for many years. Your scar capsule appears to be very soft, which has it pros and cons. A soft capsule is always desirable because it makes the implant feel soft, but a soft capsule can also have the tendency of expanding, allowing the pocket to expand beyond its original bounds, letting the implant drift around into the armpit or drop below the inframammary fold. The fix for this would be a procedure to tighten up the excess scar capsule and line it with a resorbable mesh that will integrate into the scar and strengthen it. The mesh eventually goes away (it takes more than the one year that the companies claim), but many people have lasting results.

Jonathan Heistein, MD · Answer

Yes your implants do fall to the side when you lie flat.  If you don't want that to happen, you can have a revision surgery to provide more support in the lateral aspect of the internal pocket where the implant lives.  This can be done several different ways including suturing techniques or even the use of an internal mesh called Galaflex for added support.  Talk to your surgeon about these options to get a better idea of what to expect.  Best of luck!

Tyler Frew, MD · Answer

Hi there,
Yes that is lateral displacement. This is very common over time when the implants are below the muscle. The fix is surgical and requires the MD to close down your lateral capsule and open the capsule more medially. This way the implant sits more centered on your chest.
All the best

Gary M. Horndeski, MD · Answer

Your breasts are too low on the chest wall and they displace laterally. This is because the skin envelope is unable to support the weight of the implants and is stretched out. I recommend explantation with lift using The Bellesoma Method. The implants are removed, your breast tissue is reshaped creating upper pole fullness, elevated higher on the chest wall and more medial to increase your cleavage. Vertical scars are avoided, nipple sensation (in 95%) and the ability to breast feed are maintained if not injured during your previous surgery. Later, fat transfers can be performed if additional volume is desired.

Best Wishes,

Gary Horndeski, M.D.

Best Wishes,

Gary Horndeski, M.D.

Connie Hiers, MD, FACS · Answer

Your lateral or outside pocket can be tightened internally so that the implant cannot move out to the side as much as it does now.

Kenneth R. Francis, MD, FACS · Answer

Dear Dewi_11,
Although it is natural for the breasts to displace laterally when lying supine, your implants do seem to displace more than desired leaving a hollowing in your medial breasts.  This may be due to pocket stretching, pocket overdissection, implants that are too narrow for your breast base width, or a combination of these factors.  Correction could involve internal capsule work (internal bra), wider implants, mesh placement, or a combination of these procedures.  Return to your plastic surgeon for an examination and discussion of your options.  Good luck!

Heather Pena, MD - Account Suspended · Answer

Yes, you do have lateral displacement of your implant. If these are below the muscle, it can be due to pectoralis muscle activation which squeezes the implants laterally. It can also be caused by too much dissection of the lateral pocket. The correction would need to be surgical, to tighten the lateral pocket with sutures or a mesh. Converting from a submuscular plane to a subfascial plane can help prevent it from occurring again, but would be associated with other risks including increased visibility of the implants or malpositioning of the implants on the chest wall (typically they can migrate lower on the chest wall over time).

325cc, Mentor, high profile - Is this lateral displacement? (Photos)

Answers (8)

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