Can I do something to prevent animation deformity from becoming more severe after my breast augmentation?

Question

I have animation deformity on one breast. At 6 months post op I noticed my right breast developing animation deformity. I felt ok because it didn’t look that bad. Now at 10 months post op it's a lot more noticeable to the point that it bothers me.. I feel shy if I flex that muscle now because you can totally tell apart the implant from my actual breast. I don’t have the money to go in surgery and fix it, so my question is, is there any way to prevent it of getting worse? From 1-10 it looks bad like a 7 & I don’t want it to become a bad 10

Robert M. Tornambe, MD · Answer

Texasgal I appreciate your concern, however animation deformity is somewhat common and there are various degrees of severity. Some women actually have modest deformity and either do not even notice it or it does not bother them. This condition can be corrected, however it does require a small revision surgery.  Ask your plastic surgeon about possibly discounting the revision, as this is something I do as a courtesy for my patients as it is a complication that cannot be predicted and is nobody’s fault! Good luck.

Kenneth Sumida, MD · Answer

Animation issues are a difficult issue and somewhat common.   There are many options that you should discuss with your surgeon.   The treatment can depend on the exact issue and how the amount overlying soft tissue (and breast tissue ) available.

Richard Baxter, MD · Answer

Unfortunately at least 3 out of 4 patients with the common dual plane method experience some degree of animation deformity, because the pectoral muscle is partly detached. It then adheres to the capsule, causing distortion. Correction of the problem can be done by either converting to the split muscle plane, which preserves coverage over the upper pole, or subfascial. The detached part of the muscle has to be re-attached behind the breast.

Aldo Guerra, MD · Answer

Thanks for sharing your concerns. Animation is not uncommon and there are surgery procedures to help and eliminate or reduce animation. However, without a set of photographs and an exam, it is impossible to discuss. I suggest you speak with your plastic surgeon about your options. In most cases, reasonable plastic surgeons are willing to help their patients and provide a low cost revision procedure for something like this...Good luck. Dr. ALDO

Paul J. Leahy, MD · Answer

Thanks for your question. I'm not aware of anything that you could personally do to improve or worsen that problem, but there are several surgical fixes for it. I'd go see your plastic surgeon again and just ask if there is anything he/she can do to keep your costs down. Best wishes

Can I do something to prevent animation deformity from becoming more severe after my breast augmentation?

Answers (9)

Answer: Animation deformity?

Answer: Animation deformity?

Answer: Muscle Animation

Answer: Muscle Animation

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Can I do something to prevent animation deformity from becoming more severe after my breast augmentation?

Answers (9)

Answer: Animation deformity?

Answer: Animation deformity?

Answer: Muscle Animation

Answer: Muscle Animation

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Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Breast Augmentation

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