Breast implant displacement is one of the possible risks of breast augmentation. So, if you’re considering doing breast augmentation, you need to be aware of this risks and what it means.
What is exactly breast implant displacement?
During your breast augmentation procedure, your cosmetic surgeon is placing the breast implant in an exact position. However, sometimes the breast implant doesn’t remain in the position where the surgeon placed it or intended to be placed. Displacement can be positionally affected or permanent. No matter which it is, breast implant displacement can result a not-so optimal appearance (or undesired) and can also cause discomfort and emotional distress.
Types of breast implant displacements
Even though there are multiple breast implant displacement types, and they all have their unique characteristics, they all have one thing in common. They defer from the desired results and create an unaesthetic appearance.
Bottoming out
This is likely one of the most common form of breast implant displacement. With this type of displacement, the breast implant slips down to the lower part of the breast. Bottoming out usually occurs when there’s non-elastic and stretched out breast skin. In this situation the breast is bulging downward and the nipples are pointing upward.
Lateral breast implant displacement
Lateral displacement is a big issue if the implant is displaced too far out to the side. This results with abnormally large gap between the breasts since there’s very little implant left on the chest and there’s no anterior projection. Although, some mild form of lateral fullness is required (the edge of the breast sits closer to the arm) because it provides a better visual appearance and breast contour.
Symmastia
A completely different thing than lateral breast implant displacement. With symmastia, the breast implants shift towards the center of the chest and form a so-called ‘uni-boob’ i.e. one large breast.
Double bubble deformity
When the breast implant falls beneath the natural breast crease, the fold (or crease if you will) creates pressure on the implant, gives a creased effect and it appears as a double breast.
Causes of breast implant displacements
Implant displacement can occur for any number of reasons, although there are certain causes for some displacement types. Generally speaking, breast implant displacements occur because:
The breast skin isn’t elastic enough which could be caused by using too big implants
- Breast implants that are being used are either too big or too wide for the patient’s anatomy
- Sizeable saline implants
- Poor surgical techniques
- Physical trauma
- Inefficient breast support with a bra
What to do in case of implant displacement?
NO woman wants to have issues with her breast implants or some other complications that are implant-related. However, if you do experience breast implant displacement, this can be corrected through a breast revision i.e. secondary breast surgery. Through this procedure, your doctor should be able to rectify the negative outcomes from the previous surgery and create a more appealing and aesthetically pleasant look.
If you are interested in going through breast augmentation with breast implants, or you already done it but you think that you’re experiencing displacement, make sure to contact us and schedule a consultation.
