Wanting to correct asymmetry, would breast implants affect my tattoo placement? (photo)

Hi, thank you for sharing your question. The implant placement will not affect your tattoo. A formal evaluation by a plastic surgeon will help answer all of your questions.

Thank you for your question.
Undergoing a breast augmentation procedure with a small implant should not change the placement of a tattoo on the rib cage. I recommend speaking with your plastic surgeon to discuss your concerns.

I recommend an in person consultation with a plastic surgeon to discuss your goals and be measured. After I measure and discuss goals with my patients, we then look at pictures of women (my patients) with similar measurements with different size and style breast implants, and they choose what looks right for them. They also get to see what they would look like when the breasts have fully dropped and fluffed and in clothes. You get to see actual results and the surgeon's experience and not a virtual idea of what can be achieved. Women tell me that this process is very helpful in determining what size and style breast implant is right for them. Dr. Ted Eisenberg, Board Certified Plastic Surgeon and Author. RealSelf Distinguished Hall of Fame Inductee. Philadelphia, Pa., USA

Hello thank you for your question. That is a lovely tattoo. Depending on the size you may want to consider a transaxillary incision (through the armpit) but this is only if your implant size is small. Even if you went through the tattoo scar, it can be touched up with tattoo afterwards. Speak to your plastic surgeon about your options. Feel free to check out our website for more options.

Dear Persistent176148,
based on your photos, it looks like breast augmentation won't affect your tatoo. If you are considering surgery, I would suggest you consult a board-certified plastic surgeon. Only after a thorough examination, you will get more information and recommendations.
Daniel Barrett, MD
Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

It would be difficult to say without seeing the breasts and knowing what size implant you need. As a generality, the larger the implant, the more it will stretch the skin, which may pull the tattoo onto the breasts. With my transaxillary breast augmentation, the implant will be supported by the chest muscle, so it will have the least effect on the lower fold position and decrease the chance of pulling up the tattoo. The scar is hidden in the armpit, so there is no scar on the breast itself. An alternative approach would be to try to control the fold, so it does not ride higher. That would involve an incision along the lower fold of the breast and suturing the fold to the chest wall to try to prevent it from moving. Unfortunately, with the tattoo along your lower fold, it can affect the appearance of the tattoo. I would recommend seeing a board certified plastic surgeon with experience in breast augmentations for a complete examination and evaluation.

Thank you for your question regarding breast augmentation surgery affecting your tattoo and for including a photo.

Although, it is hard to tell from this photo, if the surgeon uses an inframmary approach to place the implants that could possibly affect tattoo placement.

There are multiple areas around the breast where the implant could be placed. Each does come with their own set of risks.

To know what might be right for you, see two or more experienced, board-certified Plastic Surgeons for a complete evaluation to make sure you are a good candidate and that it is safe for you to have breast implant surgery.

I hope this helps.

There is a reasonable chance that the tattoo could roll up slightly on to the lower portion of the breast when the implants are placed. We work very hard to get the fold at the bottom of the breast to stay in that location but sometimes the skin moves a bit. I recommend you work with a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon.

Based on the submitted photo it does not appear that breast augmentation will affect your tattoo. Your surgeon will help you select the appropriate implants to improve your symmetry concerns. I've included a video on the procedure and implant selection that I hope you find helpful.

If your tattoo is not on the breast itself and you do not choose too large of an implant, your tattoo should be fine.