Implants Bottoming Out
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After undergoing breast augmentation, many women enjoy their beautiful new breasts. However, a small number of patients may experience bothersome complications after their procedure. Bottoming out can occur when one or both implants slip below the crease where they were initially placed, which can make the breasts appear unbalanced and unattractive. Silicone breast
What Is Bottoming Out?
Bottoming out occurs when the implants slide below the lower part of your breasts, causing them to settle too low on the chest. This can happen gradually over time or right after your breast augmentation surgery. It is more likely to occur in women whose breast implants are too large in proportion to their natural breast tissue, but it can also happen when there is surgical over-dissection of the breast pocket or disruption of supportive structures at the bottom of your breasts. Bottoming out is often a result of the following factors:
- Gravity
- Weight fluctuations
- Pregnancy
- Poor bra support
- Aging
- Trauma
Identifying the Problem
There are many ways to determine if your implants are bottoming out. When implants start moving downward, you may notice your nipples begin to turn slightly upward. The nipple-areolar complex will appear somewhat higher on the breast, causing it to look “too pointy” and unnatural.
Sometimes, bottoming out may cause your scar to look as though it is moving up on the breast. The fallen implant, or implants, will have dropped below the natural breast fold, which moves the scar up and often creates a new fold on the chest. Other ways to know if your implants are bottoming out include:
- Pain
- Discomfort
- Stretching skin
- Disappearing breast crease
- Thinning skin under the breasts
How Breast Revision Surgery Can Help
When bottoming out occurs, the best thing to do is contact your surgeon so the issue can be corrected with breast revision surgery. Depending on the amount of correction needed, your implants may need to be replaced or even removed entirely.
During your procedure, Dr. Burnett will perform a capsulorrhaphy to tighten the implant pocket. Capsulorrhaphy includes the removal of excess skin, repositioning the implants higher to restore their shape, and recreating tissue support. Your implants may also need to be exchanged for a smaller size to alleviate stress on weakened breast tissue and produce a more aesthetically pleasing appearance. In more severe cases, the implants will be taken out altogether.
To schedule a consultation, please contact us today!
While some women may need their implants replaced after experiencing complications, such as implant rupture or bottoming out, others may be in need of a more extensive breast revision surgery due to progressive capsular contracture.
What Is Capsular Contracture?
Capsular contracture is one of the most common complications that can occur following breast augmentation. The body automatically reacts to any foreign object, including a breast implant, by forming a scar tissue capsule around it. When breast implants are placed into the chest, the body will attempt to isolate them by creating a protective barrier of scar tissue.
When the scar tissue that develops is too thick, it will begin to harden and squeeze the implant, which can lead to aesthetic complications and discomfort. Capsular contracture can produce the following issues:
- Pain
- Discomfort
- Hardening of the breasts
- Changes in skin sensation
- An unnatural breast appearance
If you are experiencing any of the above complications after a breast augmentation, you must see your surgeon right away.
Capsulotomy Procedure
There is no need to worry if you are suffering from capsular contracture, as this condition can be addressed using a capsulectomy or capsulotomy. Capsulectomy can alleviate pain and discomfort associated with capsular contracture by surgically removing the surrounding scar tissue to make the breasts softer. Capsulotomy involves releasing the scar tissue capsule to create more room for the implant and restore a more natural look and feel. This procedure does not typically require the removal or replacement of the implants unless they are defective. However, in more severe cases, both the scar tissue and the implants may be removed completely. Whether your implants are bottoming out, ruptured, or need to be removed, Dr. Burnett will make sure your breast revision procedure provides you with natural and aesthetically pleasing results as well as giving you the breast profile you desire.
For more information about breast revision surgery and to determine if you are an ideal candidate, please call our office or schedule a consultation with Dr. Burnett online!