Asymmetry of the breasts is not uncommon before or after implant surgery. Typically breast implants "settle" over the first few months as the muscle, breast tissue/fat and skin stretch to accommodate the implants. "Higher and tighter" at 6 months may be related to capsular contracture (scar tissue surrounding the implant that can lead to tightness, pain and deformity). It may be necessary to consider a revision surgery as established capsular contracture does not generally respond well to medications or massage techniques. You should consult with your plastic surgeon about options.
Published on Jul 11, 2012
Speak to your plastic surgeon to see what he/she recommends. In my practice, I would recommend my patients take Vitamin E and aggressively massage daily along with wearing a "breast band" on the side that is high.
Published on Jul 11, 2012
Asymmetry which persists unchanged outside of 6 months may necessitate operative revision. If more conservative measures, such as a breast band have been unsuccessful to date, re-operation is highly likely.
A high riding implant may be indicative of the need for further muscle release or tight inferior pole capsule which would benefit from further release.
As always, discuss your concerns with a board-certified plastic surgeon (ABPS).
Published on Jul 11, 2012
Please see your surgeon. They will be able to discuss options for asymmetry correction.
Published on Jul 11, 2012
Lie on your right breast on the floor, increasing time and pressure as you can tolerate until you reach 30 mins. Then, do this daily. Wear a sports bra at night with the bottom flipped inside out over the top of the right breast while sleeping.
Published on Jul 11, 2012
You may need to wait another six months (until one year); it is still early in your postoperative healing. At that time, your surgeon will know what to do, and this may including performing a procedure to adjust your breasts.
Published on Jul 11, 2012
Follow up with your surgeon. Typically, swelling subsides after a few months from an augmentation. He or she might have you wear a Bandeaux strap just on your right side to help the implant settle. But if it's been 6 months, you might need a pocket revision. Without a photo or exam, it's impossible for me to say. Definitely follow up with your operating physician. Good luck.
Published on Jul 11, 2012
I can't give you advice without seeing your pre-op photos and how you look now.
Published on Jul 11, 2012
You could have a capsular contracture around your right breast, a condition where overgrowth of scar tissue is squeezing your implnat causing it to be higher and tighter. I suggest a visit to your PS for evaluation.
I hope this helps
Published on Jul 11, 2012
Unfortunately there is probably nothing you personally can do to fix this. In other words, massage, exercise, medication, etc will not likely do anything. However, there may be some surgical options to fix it (that your surgeon can do). Without seeing photos or examining you, I cant give you specific information but certainly you can discuss it with your surgeon.
Published on Jul 11, 2012
Without photos it is difficult to assess. You have a capsular contracture on the right or it may just be the reflection of preop asymmetry in the breasts. Best to see you plastic surgeon.
Published on Jul 11, 2012
Without examination or photos, based on your description and the statistical likelihood, you have capsular contracture around the higher breast implant. This is the most common complication of breast augmentation, with an average risk of about 15% to 20%. Depending on the course of the problem (getting worse or getting better), I usually wait 6 to 9 months to give treatment options. If the patient wants to treat the problem, the only option that can reliably do so is surgery to completely remove the old scar capsule around the implant and replace that implant with a new one. This treatment protocol is based on the fact that capsular contracture is caused by a contaminated implant (bacteria, usually from the skin). Unfortunately, non-surgical options have not proven effective, although many surgeons still put their patients through the false hopes made by high doses of vitamin E, Accolate or Singulair medication, external ultrasound treatments, and so on.
Published on Jul 11, 2012
Breast implant position depends on a few things:
1. Shape and texturing of the implant
2. How much of the breast was dissected to prepare for implant placement
3. Scarring around the breast implant
I recommend you reach out to your surgeon to schedule a follow-up visit and come up with a plan.
Published on Jul 11, 2012
Unfortunately I have no photos to review, both before and after. No two breasts are the same, I tell patients they are sisters not twins. I would go back to your board certified plastic surgeon. He / she will be happy to help you understand your breasts and the results.
Good Luck
Published on Jul 11, 2012
At 6 months out, there is not much you can do to even them out without lowering the left pocket surgically to match the right side. Speak with your plastic surgeon.
Published on Jul 11, 2012
Thank you for your question.
Without an examination, it will be difficult for online consultants to give you good advice.
I would recommend visiting with your surgeon and allowing him/her to examine you to give you accurate advice.
Published on Jul 11, 2012
Hello, and thank you for your question. I would recommend that you follow up with your treating of plastic surgeon regarding this. At this point you may not have many options other than some additional surgery to try to lower the implant. In many instances this may be a more minor procedure. You can discuss all of this with her treating physician. Best of luck.
Published on Jul 11, 2012
Massage and time may be your best option right now. Touch base with your plastic surgeon as well as he or she will have their own preference for how to do so. If no change occurs a revision to lower that pocket may be necessary.
Published on Jul 11, 2012
If this is not improving, I would contact your physician and discuss treatment options. You CBS perform preferential breast implant displacement exercises.
Published on Jul 11, 2012
Without physical exam it is difficult to be sure. You are likely experiencing capsular contracture. There are many things that can be down. At a minimum you need to have a complete capsulectomy and implant exchange. Some other things maybe necessary:
Conversion to submuscular position
Conversion to textured implant
Use of alloderm or similar biological sling.
Hope that helps!
Published on Jul 11, 2012
After six months, there is little chance that they are going to balance out on their own. It sounds like you may have scar tissue ( capsular contracture) around the right breast or the muscle is tighter on that side. Either way, it sounds like you may need surgical intervention to release that pocket and allow the implant to sit where it should to match the other side. I would have your plastic surgeon examine you and then go from there since a physical examination will tell the story. I hope this helps.
Published on Jul 11, 2012
Good morning!
It depends on the situation, and there are two possibilities:
1) the better situation is when your implant never dropped, and the bottom of the pocket just healed shut, in which case a simple capsulotomy will allow it to drop
2) the more complicated situation is a capsular contracture, which should initially be treated with medication alone- I use singulair, Vitamin E and Cipro, and if it doesn't resolve by itself in 90 days a capsulectomy can remove the scar tissue and allow your body to make a new, hopefully healthy, pocket
Hope this helps!
Published on Jul 11, 2012
Hello and thank you for your question. You may have capsular contracture on the right breast and will need to be examined. If that is the case you will likely need surgery or undergo Aspen external ultrasound which is a noninvasive method to address the hardened capsule.
Published on Jul 11, 2012