Silicone Implant Slides Around and is Painful - What is the Cause and How Can I Correct it?

Question

Had bilateral mastectomy, expanders and silicone implants. After lifting felt a pull on right implant. Left skin numb and now implant moves too far side to side and is painful. My PS is pondering a way to correct it. Had nipple/areolar reconstruction. Any suggestions. I can't live with this discomfort. What surgical options are available? HELP!

Richard Baxter, MD · Answer

It is impossible to say without seeing you personally, but in general if the pocket size is too large for the implant then it can move. I have seen cases where this is associated with pain and it gets better after making the pocket smaller, but it is a difficult thing to predict.

Christopher V. Pelletiere, MD · Answer

When a patient complains about the implant moving too far to the side, whether it is a breast augmentation patient or a breast reconstruction patient, the answer is generally the same.  The lateral pocket needs to be reinforced and secured so that the implant cannot move as far as it does now.  This can be done by reinforcing the lateral aspect with sutures, as well as adding some biologic material to really secure the areas internally.  Any plastic surgeon who performs breast reconstruction on a regular basis should be very familiar with these techniques.  I hope this helps.

Ricardo A. Meade, MD · Answer

Since your injury your implants hurt, it is likely that correcting the pocket of the implant will help your symptoms considerably.

Jeffrey Scott, MD · Answer

With displacement of your implant, it may be that the internal support used, such as a serratus fascia flap or alloderm, separated with your lifting episode and now the implant has come out of its internal pocket.  Some type of internal support may be needed to reposition the implant.  Talk to your surgeon.

Steven Wallach, MD · Answer

The pain you are experiencing can be many different things including a tight capsule.  An exam may be helpful to determing ethe cause.

Silicone Implant Slides Around and is Painful - What is the Cause and How Can I Correct it?

Answers (10)

Answer: Implant displacement

Answer: Implant displacement

Answer: Implant discomfort

Answer: Implant discomfort

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Silicone Implant Slides Around and is Painful - What is the Cause and How Can I Correct it?

Answers (10)

Answer: Implant displacement

Answer: Implant displacement

Answer: Implant discomfort

Answer: Implant discomfort

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Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Breast Implant Revision

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