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What can I do if I notice that my gummy bear implant is starting to rotate?

I had a double mastectomy with immediate reconstruction using 395 cc mentor textured cohesive gel implants in August 2014. In March 2015 the right implant rotated 180 degrees, In April 2015 I had a surgery to put it back into place and a capsulotomy. But now, two months after the surgery since I am aware that it can happen I can feel and see that it has rotated just a little. Is there anything I can do to put it back into place or at least to make sure it doesn't rotate any further?

Doctor Answers 3

July 4th, 2015

When you appreciate your implant moving

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start with letting your surgeon know of your concerns.  There are some strategies that may help minimize it from moving but if the pocket is too large and there was not adherence of the capsule to the implant, I don't think there is much that you can do to prevent further rotation.  If it happens again, another procedure will be needed and consideration could be given towards using the product with the most aggressive texturing in the future.  But there has been some speculation that the most aggressive texturing can contribute towards developing anaplastic lymphoma.
Curtis Wong, MD


Redding Plastic Surgeon
4.8 out of 5 stars 33 reviews

July 5th, 2015

Implant moving

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If a breast implant has moved and the deformity is mild, I would wait and see if you could live with it.  If not, you may need another revision or consider choosing a round implant, when it moves, it looks the same.

Good Luck!
David Finkle, MD

David Finkle, MD
Omaha Plastic Surgeon
4.9 out of 5 stars 82 reviews

July 2nd, 2015

Breast reconstruction

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I assume that the implant is a shaped mentor textured implant. These implants can rotate if the pocket created is larger than the implant. If rotation is happening then would see your plastic surgeon and after exam get his/her recommendations. If the rotation is obvious then would require surgery to make the pocket snug to the implant. Would include partial capsulectomies and use of acellular matrix. If tissue ingrowth is absent then a total capsulectomy may be needed.

Samir Shureih, MD
Baltimore Plastic Surgeon

These answers are for educational purposes and should not be relied upon as a substitute for medical advice you may receive from your physician. If you have a medical emergency, please call 911. These answers do not constitute or initiate a patient/doctor relationship.