Are my breast implants too low? (Photo)

Question

I asked for high profile implants with lots of cleavage at the top. But I feel they have been placed too low and I have not at all achieved the upper cleavage look I desired. They seem to make my torso look short and if you compare to my natural breasts are much lower (look at the freckle on my sternum). Is this bottoming out or were they originally placed too low? my nipples also point upwards.

Camille Cash, MD · Answer

Your implants are bottoming out.  This can sometimes happen with larger implants, thin tissue, or a combination.  Surgical intervention is needed to correct this.  To lower your risk of this happening again you can consider smaller implants  or perhaps add mesh.

Karl William Schwarz, MD · Answer

Your implants have bottomed out and when they do they make the nipple position higher and therefore make your nipples point upwards (stargazer nipples). When the implants bottom out it also increases the distance from the nipple to the fold and gives the breast an unusual appearance.

It is a common misconception that a high profile will increase the volume at the top of the breast. That's actually not what happens. The high profile gives the breast more projection, not more fullness on the top. To get more fullness on the top and more cleavage in the higher aspect of the breast the implant needs to be in the correct position. Right now your implant is not centered under your breast but it is centered much lower. To get more upper cleavage the implant position would have to be changed, in other words the bottoming out has to be corrected.

Brian K. Reedy, MD · Answer

Thanks for your question! I'm not sure placement of the implant is the issue. I think you chose too large of an implant for your breasts. Because you have natural pseudoptosis, I would've encouraged a smaller implant to start. You could've always replaced to go bigger. I think smaller implants are the right answer and a revision is probably necessary. Good luck!

Daniel Barrett, MD · Answer

Dear honeybellex,
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, MDCertified, American Board of Plastic SurgeryMember, American Society of Plastic SurgeryMember, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

Ira H. Rex lll, MD · Answer

Your right at that your nipples should not be pointing up. You have to speak about these concerns with your plastic surgeon. A revision May certainly be considered, but your surgeon may want to wait a certain amount of time before moving the implants into a better position.

Are my breast implants too low? (Photo)

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Are my breast implants too low? (Photo)

Answers (9)

Answer: BA results

Answer: BA results

Answer: Implant position

Answer: Implant position

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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.