POSTED UNDER Breast Implant Revision Reviews
Revision of a 2 Year Animation Flexion Deformity
ORIGINAL POST
Revision Animation Flexion Deformity
Oceanside36November 18, 2018
Initially had 385 cc silicone implants placed under the muscle. Resulted in very obvious muscle flexion animation deformity, visible in almost any low cut clothing. My surgeon told me a number of things about this - first it was just swelling. Month later then it was due to my original asymmetry, which was never discussed at our consultation. Months later, then it was my fault because I had pushed so hard for "big" implants. Then it was this happens to only one in a million patients, sorry it was you, nothing can be done. Then it was, we can go over the muscle, but only for the one breast.
This led me to out on a 1.5 year journey on multiple different consultations with local surgeons to see what they believed on this sub-muscular animation deformity situation. I ran into many of the same answers as above. Answers also included: "In all my years of practice, I have never see that. Or "Your surgeon should have told about this before" (which he did not. Nor was it mentioned anywhere in my consent booklet). Or "Sorry, but you're stuck with this...it's not such a big deal...you have a overall good result...just leave them alone....just try not to flex."
To make a long story short - I was in tears almost every morning in the mirror getting ready. Cringing every time I put a low cut anything (dress, top, swimsuit, etc). Cringing every time when I took my clothes off for sex and my husband wanted to see or touch.
I would have been better off never having the augmentation in the first place and sticking with my push up bra, if I had known this was going to happen. That is the unfortunate risk you take with plastic surgery. I thought I had researched extensively, and knew PLENTY of women who had the exact same procedure with no issues like this. It was just my luck, the one in the million...? I guess. Or as my surgeon told me, it was my fault? The fault of pushing so hard for such "large" implants? My asymmetry caused it..??
I felt like I was in the twilight zone...
Anyways, fast forward. Here is my happy and thankfully, positive, result on my revision.
Traveled out of state to Dr Baxter in Washington, who has the most extensive experience in animation deformity correction that I could find.
During consultation, he felt I had enough tissue coverage in the upper poles that I would not need the split-plane technique. We decided on the following plan:
The implants were removed.
Muscle was sewn back down to its original place.
New slightly larger 450 silicone implants were placed above the muscle.
Galaflex Mesh placed bilaterally to lower poles for support.
Bilateral drains for 10 drains.
Total of 14 day stay - 2 days early for pre-op and to get settled in. 10 days with a not so bad recovery with drains. 2 days after drain removal to make sure no problems.
No complications so far. I am overall very very happy with my result.
FULL muscle recover within 3 months, back to spin and Orange Theory Fitness. No strength issues whatsoever.
I believe they feel and look much more natural, much more beautiful cleavage, and most importantly - ZERO animation deformity. I am happy in ways I cannot even express in words. Just the same as I could barely express in words how unhappy I was before. Those of you in the same boat know what I am talking about.
Initially I was skeptical about the mesh, as I could feel the lower edges of the implants for the first month or so. After a few months, I noticed a substantial difference in the thickness of the skin on the lower poles, it started to feel much more uniform with the rest of the breast, as my native tissues began to integrate into the mesh.
The research says the mesh should bio-absorb within 18-24 months.
Interestingly, I had an ultrasound 5 months after surgery, for a small lump I found near the nipple, which was benign. Surprisingly, the US doctor said they could not see the mesh at all.
9 months out now, the lower poles feel practically 100% uniform with the rest of the breast. I cannot feel the lower edge of the implant at all.
These photos are 2 months post-op. You can see the dramatic difference with flexion.
This led me to out on a 1.5 year journey on multiple different consultations with local surgeons to see what they believed on this sub-muscular animation deformity situation. I ran into many of the same answers as above. Answers also included: "In all my years of practice, I have never see that. Or "Your surgeon should have told about this before" (which he did not. Nor was it mentioned anywhere in my consent booklet). Or "Sorry, but you're stuck with this...it's not such a big deal...you have a overall good result...just leave them alone....just try not to flex."
To make a long story short - I was in tears almost every morning in the mirror getting ready. Cringing every time I put a low cut anything (dress, top, swimsuit, etc). Cringing every time when I took my clothes off for sex and my husband wanted to see or touch.
I would have been better off never having the augmentation in the first place and sticking with my push up bra, if I had known this was going to happen. That is the unfortunate risk you take with plastic surgery. I thought I had researched extensively, and knew PLENTY of women who had the exact same procedure with no issues like this. It was just my luck, the one in the million...? I guess. Or as my surgeon told me, it was my fault? The fault of pushing so hard for such "large" implants? My asymmetry caused it..??
I felt like I was in the twilight zone...
Anyways, fast forward. Here is my happy and thankfully, positive, result on my revision.
Traveled out of state to Dr Baxter in Washington, who has the most extensive experience in animation deformity correction that I could find.
During consultation, he felt I had enough tissue coverage in the upper poles that I would not need the split-plane technique. We decided on the following plan:
The implants were removed.
Muscle was sewn back down to its original place.
New slightly larger 450 silicone implants were placed above the muscle.
Galaflex Mesh placed bilaterally to lower poles for support.
Bilateral drains for 10 drains.
Total of 14 day stay - 2 days early for pre-op and to get settled in. 10 days with a not so bad recovery with drains. 2 days after drain removal to make sure no problems.
No complications so far. I am overall very very happy with my result.
FULL muscle recover within 3 months, back to spin and Orange Theory Fitness. No strength issues whatsoever.
I believe they feel and look much more natural, much more beautiful cleavage, and most importantly - ZERO animation deformity. I am happy in ways I cannot even express in words. Just the same as I could barely express in words how unhappy I was before. Those of you in the same boat know what I am talking about.
Initially I was skeptical about the mesh, as I could feel the lower edges of the implants for the first month or so. After a few months, I noticed a substantial difference in the thickness of the skin on the lower poles, it started to feel much more uniform with the rest of the breast, as my native tissues began to integrate into the mesh.
The research says the mesh should bio-absorb within 18-24 months.
Interestingly, I had an ultrasound 5 months after surgery, for a small lump I found near the nipple, which was benign. Surprisingly, the US doctor said they could not see the mesh at all.
9 months out now, the lower poles feel practically 100% uniform with the rest of the breast. I cannot feel the lower edge of the implant at all.
These photos are 2 months post-op. You can see the dramatic difference with flexion.
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