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I feel my left breast implant has rotated sideways and it feels like it's not centered. Do I have to see a doctor?

My left breast has moved and it feels sideways and not facing straight but instead it feels like it has rotated... Do I have to see a doctor?

Doctor Answers 6

Implant shift

August 11th, 2014
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If it is simply a matter of asymmetry caused by an implant that has shifted then you have two options - 1. live with it as it is or see a plastic surgeon who can advise you on your options.  If it is causing no problems other than asymmetry then there is certainly no emergency to do anything.  It is simply up to you whether you want to do something about it or not.
Edwin C. Pound, III, MD
August 11th, 2014

Implant shift

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If it is simply a matter of asymmetry caused by an implant that has shifted then you have two options - 1. live with it as it is or see a plastic surgeon who can advise you on your options.  If it is causing no problems other than asymmetry then there is certainly no emergency to do anything.  It is simply up to you whether you want to do something about it or not.
Edwin C. Pound, III, MD

Displacement of breast implant to the side requires an examination by a board certified plastic surgeon.

August 10th, 2014
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Yes you should see a board certified plastic surgeon for an examination.  Significant change in position of your implant to the side may indicate a tear in the internal capsule surrounding your implant.  It would be unusual late after an implant for this movement take place.  It board certified plastic surgeon should be able to decide if a revision is necessary.

Web reference: http://www.bostonplasticsurgeryspecialists.com/services/breast-surgery/breast-implant-revision-surgery-boston-plastic-surgery-sp

Brooke R. Seckel, MD, FACS
August 10th, 2014

Displacement of breast implant to the side requires an examination by a board certified plastic surgeon.

{{ voteCount >= 0 ? '+' + (voteCount + 1) : (voteCount + 1) }}
Yes you should see a board certified plastic surgeon for an examination.  Significant change in position of your implant to the side may indicate a tear in the internal capsule surrounding your implant.  It would be unusual late after an implant for this movement take place.  It board certified plastic surgeon should be able to decide if a revision is necessary.

Learn more: http://www.bostonplasticsurgeryspecialists.com/services/breast-surgery/breast-implant-revision-surgery-boston-plastic-surgery-sp

Brooke R. Seckel, MD, FACS

Flipped

August 10th, 2014
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If it's bothering you, it makes sense to have it checked. It would be better if you had the implant information. If it's round, then flipping wouldn't be the cause of the appearance change.
Edward S. Gronka, MD
August 10th, 2014

Flipped

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If it's bothering you, it makes sense to have it checked. It would be better if you had the implant information. If it's round, then flipping wouldn't be the cause of the appearance change.
Edward S. Gronka, MD

Rotated implant

August 9th, 2014
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Yes, a plastic surgeon will be able to tell if any positional issues or rotation has affected your implant.  Depending on the age of the implant and if any device malfunction has occurred, the surgeon may recommend exchange of your implant vs repositioning.  Best wishes!

Web reference: http://www.thomassenplasticsurgery.com

John Michael Thomassen, MD
August 9th, 2014

Rotated implant

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Yes, a plastic surgeon will be able to tell if any positional issues or rotation has affected your implant.  Depending on the age of the implant and if any device malfunction has occurred, the surgeon may recommend exchange of your implant vs repositioning.  Best wishes!

Learn more: http://www.thomassenplasticsurgery.com

John Michael Thomassen, MD

Rotated implant

August 9th, 2014
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If you have some concerns about your breast and playing should always contact your plastic surgeon. If you have an anatomic implant you most definitely need to see your plastic surgeon. A round implant would be difficult to tell if it's rotated since it is round.
Earl Stephenson, Jr., MD, DDS, FACS
August 9th, 2014

Rotated implant

{{ voteCount >= 0 ? '+' + (voteCount + 1) : (voteCount + 1) }}
If you have some concerns about your breast and playing should always contact your plastic surgeon. If you have an anatomic implant you most definitely need to see your plastic surgeon. A round implant would be difficult to tell if it's rotated since it is round.
Earl Stephenson, Jr., MD, DDS, FACS

Breast Implant rotation

August 9th, 2014
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An over expanded saline filled breast implant can flip or the capsule can stretch.  Both can causes a malposition of the implant.  The only way to know for sure is to be examined by a plastic surgeon.  
Jeffrey Zwiren, MD
August 9th, 2014

Breast Implant rotation

{{ voteCount >= 0 ? '+' + (voteCount + 1) : (voteCount + 1) }}
An over expanded saline filled breast implant can flip or the capsule can stretch.  Both can causes a malposition of the implant.  The only way to know for sure is to be examined by a plastic surgeon.  
Jeffrey Zwiren, MD

These answers are for educational purposes and should not be relied upon as a substitute for medical advice you may receive from your physician. If you have a medical emergency, please call 911. These answers do not constitute or initiate a patient/doctor relationship.