Will my Implants Drop and Raise my Nipple at All? (photo)

The period of time immediately following revisional breast
surgery is characterized by rapid change.During this period of time, swelling, muscle spasm, inflammation and the
healing process itself all contribute to changes in the appearance of a woman’s
breasts.In some cases, swelling and
muscle spasm can displace the breast implants in a superior direction when
implants are placed beneath the muscle.Based on your pictures, I believe this is a distinct possibility. With
time, assuming adequate pocket dissections, these implants might return to a
more normal position.With downward
movement of your implants, the nipple areola complexes may rotate in an upward
direction. It may take 3 to 6 months for these changes to occur.If no progress has occurred by then,
revisional surgery may be necessary.This would involve re-creating the lower portions of the breast pocket
and lifting the breasts in an upward direction.Based
on your pictures, I suspect that even if your implants do drop into normal
position, you’ll still need a revision of your breast lift procedure.For this reason, it’s important to have good
communication with your plastic surgeon.Make sure he’s aware of your concerns.He’s familiar with the specifics of your surgery and will be able to
give you appropriate direction.

Thank you for the photos.  It is very common for the implants to remain high for a little while.  When they drop the nipple should appear a little "higher".  Please follow your board certified plastic surgeon's protocol.  Also inform him/her of any issue that you may have.

Hello Kimt,

I think that Dr. Rand said it best.  I would have also reduced you breast as well to achieve a rounder and more lifted appearance to the lower part of your breast that is still hanging.  I might also add that a 250 cc implant should not be sitting so high on your chest, and to my eye looks bigger than perhaps it is. 

I do hope that this works out well and you are satisfied.

Best of luck.

Breast lifts are a common surgery women seek after having children.  The position of the nipple relative to the crease under the breast determines the degree of breast droop.  The medical term for this is ptosis.  Many things can cause ptosis but the commonality is long standing enlarged breasts followed by volume loss.  Examples of volume shifts that may cause ptosis include breast feeding, breast implants followed by removal, and massive weight loss.  There are roughly three surgical techniques to fix ptosis.  Each one is better for progressively more severe ptosis.  A small amount of ptosis can be fixed with surgery just around the nipple (periareolar).  Moderate amounts usually require a vertical lift ( scar around the nipple and down).  Severe ptosis usually requires a "standard" mastopexy or "wise pattern" the involves a scar around the nipple down and under the breast (anchor incision).

This patient appears to have a very early result and therefore it is impossible to judge at this stage.  Breasts can look very funny during the initial several weeks and still have a wonderful outcome.  She does not appear to have nipples that are too high which is really good as that is very difficult to fix and a common mistake.  Time will tell.

Hello Kimmy_woo, You do need to give this 4-6 months of healing to see for sure, but I have to agree with the other docs here, they are much lower than I would expect to see. I don't know the circumstances in your case, but in general areola placement at the breast crease would be a reason to do a full masto, it shouldn't be the result after this procedure. Make sure your surgeon is monitoring you and go ahead and speak to them about the possible revision surgery. Good luck!

Thank you for the question and pictures.

Yes, it is quite common for breast implants to “settle” and for the nipple/areola complexes to “rise” during the first few months after surgery. Be patient and continue to follow-up with your plastic surgeon.

Best wishes.

Typically, the implants will settle over about 3-6 weeks, but this can take as long as 6 months. As the implants settle, the nipple position should rise some. Be patent at this stage and give nature and time to run it's course. If you are still unhappy with the appearance then you should speak with your surgeon about options to improve the look to your satisfaction, if possible.

At this early point after surgery, it is too early to make any final judgments as to what may happen. Three to six months from now you will have your final answer. But given where you nipples are now, I would not be optimistic that any amount of implant settling will allow the nipples to move upward to the center of the breast mound. It is a very likely possibility that you may require a breast lift revision to make a noticeable change in your current nipple position. Usually after a breast lift the nipple should either be centered or just slightly below the center of the breast mound to have a good result.

After a revision breast surgery the hardest thing sometimes is having to wait to see the final results.  The implant has to settle, the skin has to comply to the new size,  swelling has to subside  and the nipple will move relatively to its position over implant.  If after a few months you still have concerns then you my consider another revision to adjust nipple position higher or change implant size.

You have to give the breasts some time to heal and allow the implants to accomodate in the pocket. They may sit lower and the nipples may be in a better position at that time. Good luck.