If breast implant gets displaced due to overuse of pectoral muscle, will the displacement be visible/obvious?

Question

I pulled some weeds two weeks after submuscular breast implants & breast lift, & am worried I may have displaced the implant after reading about what can happen with overuse of the pectoral muscle in the early weeks following surgery. If this happened, would the affected breast look different?

Edwin C. Pound, III, MD · Answer

When an implant is placed under the chest muscle, it is affected by the action of that muscle.  When you flex the chest muscle, it makes an up and outward force on the implant.  Over time, if you have a well-developed chest muscle and use it a lot, this can cause the implant to migrate laterally towards the armpit.  This might be especially noticeable when the patient is lying down.  This is not a common problem but it can happen.  When it does, it can be corrected by reconstructing the breast implant pocket laterally so that the implant does not move into the armpit area.

Curtis Wong, MD · Answer

for an afternoon shouldn't impact your implant position but if you appreciate a change, you should see your surgeon.  If your 'weeds' were  more like little trees, that certainly is more concerning.  If you attempt to strengthen your chest muscles after you recover, this can displace your implants down and out and this produces a classic look.  Focus on healing while heeding your surgeon's instructions.  Curtis Wong, MD CU 1985

Robert N. Young, MD, FACS (retired) · Answer

This is a good question, and one that you're wise to bring up after having pulled weeds so soon after your breast augmentation surgery. Chances are that if you have no pain, and have not noticed any visual change in the way your breast implants sit, you probably have not done any lasting damage. I would caution, however, about the level of activity, espeially anything that inolves lifting or the use of your pectral muscles. We usually advise a period of 4-8 weeks before resuming all normal activities. Check with your surgeon if you have any concerns.

If breast implant gets displaced due to overuse of pectoral muscle, will the displacement be visible/obvious?

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If breast implant gets displaced due to overuse of pectoral muscle, will the displacement be visible/obvious?

Answers (3)

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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.