Are my Implants Placed Too Far Apart? Can This Problem Be Fixed Easily? (photo)

Question

I has 410 cc mentor gel implants placed under the muscle 9 months ago. Now I feel my breasts look ridiculous because they are too far apart. What can be done to fix this problem?

Gerald Minniti, MD, FACS · Answer

Hello,

	I am sorry you are unhappy with your results.  Thank you for providing photos. Looking at either photo, you have a nearly perfectly symmetrical and pleasing result.  The surgeon did a fine job at placing these implants.  What I think you are experiencing is more of an 'illusion' than reality.  This is due to two things: the size and projection of the implants, and the lack of natural breast and fat near your sternum.

	You can either consider yourself lucky or cursed, but you are naturally lean, and therefore have no 'buffer' for your breast implants.  So, there is an unnatural transition from your breast that is over the implant to your chestwall/sternum, and this is disturbing to your eye.  Unfortunately, this issue is accentuated by the the size and projection of your implant, which make that transition more dramatic.

	An option that you should not entertain is a surgery that will open up the pockets surrounding your implants toward the center of your chest.  This will violate all of the muscular attachments of your pectoralis muscle, allowing the muscle to slide up and completely expose your implants centrally, where there is precious little tissue between the implant and your skin.

	Again, I do NOT think you look rediculous, but I do understand what is bothering you. If you really feel you need to do something, there are only two choices: remove the implants entirely (please don't), or replace your implants with smaller, lower profile implants (which have the same diameter of your current implants).  This will soften the transition and also the illusion that your breasts are too far apart.

	Best of luck!

Jeffrey J. Roth, MD, FACS · Answer

Thank you for the photos.  Most of the time the goal is to have a 2 to 4 cm space between the breasts. This can vary from patient to patient.   A board certified plastic surgeon can make the distance smaller. If too small there is a risk of symmastia.  Each patient's chest wall and soft tissue is different. There is an interaction between the chest wall, soft tissue and the implant itself.  This can drive the implants apart at times.  Cleavage comes from bras that push together the upper pole.  It looks like, given your tissues, that you have a very reasonable result.  Make sure you tell al of your concerns to your board certified plastic surgeon. It is okay to ask questions.

York Jay Yates, MD · Answer

Based on the photos I would suspect that your breasts before augmentation had this degree of spacing and that the niipple position was a little wide.  It looks like your PS did a fine job of respecting your anatomy with your breast augmentation.  

	The current implants are centered beneath your nipple as they should be.  Had he/she mistakenly put the implants closer together, the nipples would be pointing laterally.

John J. Corey, MD · Answer

I think you are a little bit wide but having said that there are many factors that can give this outcome and some just cant be helped. Your shape and implant position under your breasts is very good but it takes a good exam and your pre-op photos to really be able to tell if anything might help at this point...

Tom J. Pousti, MD · Answer

Thank you for the question and pictures.

	Based on the limited information provided, it does not appear that your implants are &ldquo;too far apart&rdquo;. Your breast implant appear to be positioned nicely with the nipple/areola complexes  centered on the breast mounds. An attempt to decrease the space between the breasts may cause you significant problems such as rippling/palpability of the breast implants in the cleavage area.

	Unless your breast implants move significantly to the sides ( towards the axilla)  when you lie down,  I would suggest that you avoid further surgery  at this time.

	Best wishes.

Are my Implants Placed Too Far Apart? Can This Problem Be Fixed Easily? (photo)

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Are my Implants Placed Too Far Apart? Can This Problem Be Fixed Easily? (photo)

Answers (9)

Answer: Are my Implants Placed Too Far Apart? Can This Problem Be Fixed Easily?

Answer: Are my Implants Placed Too Far Apart? Can This Problem Be Fixed Easily?

Answer: Breast Implants Too Far Apart?

Answer: Breast Implants Too Far Apart?

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Everything you need to know about Breast Implants

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