One breast sits lower than the other; how can this be fixed?

Question

I had a BA 12 weeks ago 250cc mod+ overs. My surgeon lowered my left incision as this was my smaller breast & sat slightly higher than the other. I'm not finding that this breast that was originally smaller now looks larger & is sitting lower than the other breast crease line & I want to know how this can be corrected so they r the same height? I'm really happy with the result but not the different in height on the crease folds.

Richard Baxter, MD · Answer

There is a procedure called a capsulorrhaphy, which is basically sutures in the scar capsule to raise the bottom fold. It would be best to wait a few months so that the scar capsule has time to develop. Asymmetry is a very difficult thing to correct because it can involve volume, fold position, nipple position, rib cage difference, and other things. Hopefully adjustment of the fold will be satisfactory.

Jon A. Perlman, MD (retired) · Answer

I would recommend that you wear an underwire bra 24/7 in the small likelihood that the pocket may close off however it appears to me that you'll benefit from capsulorrhaphy and exchange to a smaller implant on that side.   The photo may be deceptive but your left breast appears to be larger than your right.  Reducing the implant size may contribute to a more successful long term result.  Best wishes,Jon A Perlman MD FACS

Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery

Extreme Makeover Surgeon ABC TV

Best of Los Angeles Award 2015, 2016

Beverly Hills, Ca

Marc J. Salzman, MD, FACS (retired) · Answer

When a breast implant migrates below the original placement location with the bottom of the implant just above the infra-mammary crease, we call this “bottoming out.” There are several causes of this downward migration of the breast implant. Usually, some attempt had been made to lower the crease to accommodate a breast implant whose base diameter is larger than would otherwise fit in the natural breast. In doing so, the anatomic attachment of the skin of the breast to the chest wall can be obliterated. There is then nothing to hold the implant up. With the weight of the implant, and constant gravity, maybe lack of support by lack of wearing a bra continuously, the implant can settle downward. One of the earliest symptoms, I see in patients seeking revision,has been the feeling that the breast has to be constantly adjusted or just feels heavy. We look for the incision line, which was previously placed at the crease, to have migrated upward onto the breast. When we see this early on in the postoperative phase, it will never get better with time and will require a secondary repair. While some plastic surgeons may rely on suturing techniques only, I have found that, unless we un-weight the implant by making it smaller, or strengthen the tissues below by making them less stretchy, that the same implant, with  just sutures placed on the bottom of the pocket, will, over time, recur it's bottomed out position. I have used part of the capsule as well as the lining of the deep muscles and tissues over the ribs in the capsule beneath the breast implants to rotate upward to hold the breast implant in a higher position and therefore obliterating the extra space that has been created between the correct infra-mammary crease and the one created by the downward displacement of the implant. I call this a three flap technique, as the skin, the capsule and fascia (lining of muscles), as well as a dermal flap all contribute to creating a hammock like support of the lower portion of the pocket. When these tissues are insufficient to hold the implant up, or a previous attempt has been made with sutures, I will oftentimes rely on the addition of another type of tissue called an acellular dermal matrix of which my preference is Strattice. This Strattice ,or pigskin, does not stretch and can be sewn in to the bottom of the new location of the crease to support it just like a hammock would. Although this is costly, I consider this an insurance policy against having to redo this again. With these techniques the lower appearance of the breast can be made closer to match the opposite side. Best of luck.

One breast sits lower than the other; how can this be fixed?

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One breast sits lower than the other; how can this be fixed?

Answers (3)

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Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Breast Implant Revision

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.