Is Window Shading the same as Animation deformity? Can this be corrected and if so, how? (Photo)

Question

1.5yr PO. I have window shading or animation deformity? When I flex it gets worse, is this animation deformity or window shading? is it same thing? I consulted with a surgeon who said that my implants are too narrow for my frame (420/400 UHP) and that the muscle had adhered to the capsule, is this the same as window shading/animation deformity? he suggested putting lower profile implants that are wider with higher cc's to bring my breasts closer together and correct the issue. Thoughts?

Donald R. Revis Jr, MD · Answer

Good afternoon!There are lots of terms for it, but yes your situation is where your muscle is attached to your capsule and when you contract your muscle it distorts your breasts. There deformities come in many flavors, but the correction is often the same- a capsulotomy to release the double bubbles and the Original Internal Bra to perform the corrective procedure and reattach the muscle to the chest wall. This is my strong permanent internal suturing technique, which is the most common procedure I perform, 5-6 times a week- it worls and it lasts.Switching implant sizes and profiles is not going to change things at all except give you flat wide boobs which you won't like.

Richard Baxter, MD · Answer

Distortion of the breast shape with contraction of the pectoral muscle is called animation deformity, and windowshading is a common type. It is caused by detachment of the muscle with a dual plane procedure, where the cut edge of the muscle adheres to the capsule. It can be corrected by converting to subfascial or split muscle, in both cases with muscle re-attachment. Wider implants will not correct the problem.

Steven Sigalove, MD FACS · Answer

What you are seeing is the caudal (lower) boarder of the pec muscle that has been cut. The lower edge has lifted and you are seeing where the muscle ends- that is window-shading. Hyperanimation is exaggerated interaction of the pec muscle with the implant, which can be made worse with window-shading. They are two different entities, and you can certainly have one without the other. Both problems can be addressed by changing your pocket to the subfascial plane. This will correct both and will give you a completely smooth lower pole. If animation wasn't bothering you, you could have fat grafting and/or placement of a lower pole reinforcement material that would serve as a pectoralis extension and would hide the defect. Good luck!!

Daniel Barrett, MD · Answer

Dear Yay for me,
breast revision surgery is the most difficult plastic surgery procedure performed. Botched breast surgery alters normal tissue planes and laxity, the ability of breasts to heal properly, and leaves scar tissue that dramatically affects the level of difficulty of the corrective surgery.Many patients come in to correct poor outcomes from their initial surgeries. The most common problems are due to implant malposition, bottoming out of the implant, poor scarring, and incorrect implant size.While the type of revision required will depend on the result of the previous surgery and the desired result of the patient, some revisions involve extensive pocket repair that may or may not need specialized external bras.If you are considering breast surgery revision, you should speak with a board certified plastic surgeon and have yourself properly assessed. Only after a thorough examination you will get more information and recommendations. Also, you have to make sure that your surgeon understands your breast augmentation goals.
Daniel Barrett, MD
Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

Is Window Shading the same as Animation deformity? Can this be corrected and if so, how? (Photo)

Answers (4)

Answer: Revision surgery

Answer: Revision surgery

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.

Is Window Shading the same as Animation deformity? Can this be corrected and if so, how? (Photo)

Answers (4)

Answer: Revision surgery

Answer: Revision surgery

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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.