Breast augmentation 3 year ago - am I bottoming out? If so, can it be corrected? (photos)

Thanks for your question! You do appear to be bottoming out, but it doesn't seem severe at this point. I think it is correctable. I would recommend an in-person consultation to determine if you need a capsulorrhaphy or possibly something like Galaflex to give lower pole support. Good luck!

Good afternoon,
You do have some bottoming out, which gives you a wide gap and not much upper pole fullness. I correct this with the Original Internal Bra, my strong permanent internal suturing technqiue. I first developed this technique over 20 years ago, and today it is the most common revision procedure I perform, at least 5-6 times a week- it works and it lasts!

Dear chlo26,
bottoming out occurs when the implant falls below the current breast crease or inframammary line. It's more likely to happen with inframammary incisions, which is why I try not to use the inframammary approach to any breast surgery.
Bottoming out can also occur if an implant is too large for the breast pocket. That is why it is important to choose an implant size that's correct for your body. I perform numerous measurements in the office to determine optimal implant size for my patient's bodies.
If you are concerned, please check it with your plastic surgeon for reassurance and to further discuss your options and possibility of revision.
Daniel Barrett, MD
Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

Thank you for sharing your question and photographs. Yes, both of your implants are bottoming out and will need surgery to correct their malposition.

Chlo,
You are correct, your breasts have both bottomed out and hang a bit laterally. This is due to several conditions: Your anatomy, the size and weight of your implants, type of implants (saline tend to bottom out more easily than silicone) and your tissues ability to support the weight. Wearing supportive bras as much as possible (and yes, even to sleep) do lessen the chances of this.
You are way to far out to seek a free revision. Your surgeon may discount it a bit as you return, but this is not a guarantee. Changing to silicone (if you have saline), reducing the size, plicating (suturing the internal bottom and sides of your breast pockets from the inside) as well as using an internal bra (surgical procedure) all help to fix and reduce the potential for re-occurrence.
Best wishes.
Dr. Taranow

Since it has been 3 years since your surgery, you will be charged a new price. However, your surgeon might give a discount since you are a returning patient. You do have implants that are somewhat too large and heavy for your frame and tissue, and I would suggest going down in size to avoid this problem again. In the meantime, please wear underwire bras.