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Breast implant asymmetry

Breast implant asymmetry is one of the more common complications or consequences and straight forward problems to correct. Breast implant asymmetry is when one or both implants settle at different levels on the chest. This can result in the breast mounds being at different heights. Breast implant asymmetry can be very mild and will usually not require a second augmentation surgery. The differences between the breasts are usually not noticed in clothes or bathing suits. It can be noticed when the woman is studying her breasts in front of a mirror. When the breast implants settle to significantly different levels then the problem may require a second breast implant surgery. The type of correction that may be required depends on the specific concern or problem that the woman has.

High positioned breast mplant causing upper pole fullness

If a breast implant or implants fail to settle into the correct position then the breast mounds will have a rounder fullness in the upper half of the breast. This upper pole fullness is most notable on the side views of the after breast implant photos. It does not exist in a natural breast mound. The cause of the fullness is the breast implant, and occurs when the breast pocket was not made large enough on the bottom of the breast or the breast tissues were too strong. The strength of the tissues along the muscle edge or the inframammary fold may be strong enough not to stretch with the added weight of the breast implant. So after the tissues heal the breast implant is stuck in a higher position. This problem can be treated with a straight forward second surgery. It typically requires releasing the breast capsule scar by cutting it along the bottom edge from the inside. When this is done the breast implant can sit in a lower position. As the breast implant is lowered the upper pole fullness goes away because the implant is not pushing the breast outward.

Low positioned breast implant causing lower pole fallout

When the breast implant is placed in the pocket and the lower tissues are too weak to support the weight or have been over released, the breast implant will settle in a lower position. This problem is the opposite of upper pole fullness and is called lower pole fallout. This problem is more difficult to correct than when the breast implant is too high. Mild degrees of lower pole fallout typically go unnoticed or are not a concern. The more severe lower pole fallouts warrant consideration for repair. Reconstructing the lower supporting tissues or the inframammary fold can prove to be very difficult and the woman’s tissues play a major role in the success of this type of correction. A support bra with under wire support will need to be worn for at least a month or so to allow the tissues a chance to heal and reform.

Breast implant malposition causing nipple misdirection

Sometimes when the breast pockets are created there are some differences in the size and position of the limits of the breast pocket. When the breast implants are placed they may settle in different positions on the chest wall. Since the breast implants project the overlying breast tissues outward they have a major influence on how the nipples appear. Ideally the nipple should be near the most projecting part of the round breast implant. This position will provide the most aesthetic appearing breast mound. An outer positioned breast implant may make a nipple point towards the middle of the body and an inner positioned breast implant will do the opposite and push the nipple outwards towards the arms. When a breast implant settles too high or too low, there may also be consequences with how the nipple appear and cause it to be pointing downward or upward. These nipple position variances are usually well accepted since most are relatively mild. Since most women will start out with their nipples in different positions slight asymmetries are not problematic. As long as nipple position variations are identified before a breast implant surgery, the woman is usually very pleased with her result. The key to a happy patient is realistic expectations.