What Does It Take to Lower a Sub-muscular Implant Pocket? Can It Be Done in the Office?

Question

I had sub-muscular, silicone implants approximately 1 year ago. I have 340cc implants. The right sits quite a bit higher and I'm wondering what the procedure is to lower the pocket? Can it be done in the office? Thank you for your time.

Christopher V. Pelletiere, MD · Answer

In general, it is easier to lower an implant then raise one.  It all depends on what is holding the implant higher.  Does the pocket simply need to be released from the inframammary area to allow the implant to sit lower?  Does the entire capsule need to be released and scored for the entire pocket to change?  These things are hard to say without seeing you in person.  Certainly this can be done in an office under sedation if your surgeon has an operating suite in their office and is comfortable with it.  I hope this helps.

Hayley Brown, MD, FACS · Answer

It is quite straightforward to lower a breast implant pocket. However, I do everything in a fully accredited outpatient surgery center, and would not attempt this in an office setting. There are risks of implant damage, it would need to be removed and replaced for the pocket adjustment, bleeding, infection, etx, and all these risks would be minimized in an operating room. Plus, patient comfort is important!!

Otto Joseph Placik, MD · Answer

Lowering the implant would most likely be accomplished with a capsulotomy after excluding the possibility of capsular contracture as the cause of your elevated implant. I would prefer performing this in an operating room or operating suite.

Earl Stephenson, Jr., MD, DDS, MBA · Answer

It sound like you may have either a capsular contracture or inaccurately developed pocket at the time of surgery. Regardless, the capsule needs to be released so that  the pocket can be reshaped and the implant repositioned. If you mean it would be performed with local anesthesia only then this is not an office procedure.

	Dr. ES

Scott C. Sattler, MD, FACS · Answer

I've encountered this complication, and managed it in the operating room under sterile conditions and under anesthesia. The issue is that the supporting infra-mammary fold and perhaps also the pectoralis muscle needs to be modified. To do this under direct surgical vision may require removing the breast implant. I would be wary of a surgeon that suggests doing this revisionary breast procedure under 'a little local in the office'.

What Does It Take to Lower a Sub-muscular Implant Pocket? Can It Be Done in the Office?

Answers (9)

Answer: Breast Implant Malposition

Answer: Breast Implant Malposition

Answer: Revisionary breast surgery should be done in the operating room

Answer: Revisionary breast surgery should be done in the operating room

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.

What Does It Take to Lower a Sub-muscular Implant Pocket? Can It Be Done in the Office?

Answers (9)

Answer: Breast Implant Malposition

Answer: Breast Implant Malposition

Answer: Revisionary breast surgery should be done in the operating room

Answer: Revisionary breast surgery should be done in the operating room

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.