Secondary Breast Augmentation in Weston, FL

Capsular Contracture

After breast augmentation, a biological capsule forms around each implant. The capsule is a fibrous membrane that should be thin and pliable, allowing the implant to feel soft in the breast. If in rare cases, the capsule thickens and constricts due to inflammation or for other reasons, it is called capsular contracture. Symptoms of capsular contracture include a firm-feeling breast, pain, coldness, and visible distortion with malposition of the implant and breast asymmetry. Secondary breast augmentation uses various techniques to repair capsular contracture, replace the implant, and restore the breasts.

Implant Rupture or Rippling

One minor risk with breast implants is that they may rupture or ripple. If the shell of the implant is compromised, it will rupture or deflate. An MRI scan is often required for the accurate detection of ruptured silicone implants. Deflated saline implants, on the other hand, cause an instantly noticeable change in breast fullness because the harmless saline solution quickly leaks out into the body. Resolution through secondary surgery will replace the compromised implant with a new, intact implant. Implant rippling, which can also occur, may be resolved by converting the implant to submuscular placement or using an acellular dermal matrix, fat transfer, or other strategies.

Bottoming Out

Breast implants may occasionally sink in their position on the breast wall. Sometimes one or both implants sink excessively due to weak structural support, even to the point of slipping below the inframammary crease. This condition is known as bottoming out. Secondary breast augmentation can correct bottoming out by improving the pocket and structural support for the implant, often with plication and suturing with or without an acellular dermal matrix.

Double Bubble Deformity

Infrequently, a breast implant may shift upward or downward on the chest wall and create an unusual breast appearance known as double bubble deformity. If the implant migrates upward, a noticeable bubble may form where the implant rests, and a secondary bubble of breast tissue may appear to hang off the implant. If the implant slides downward, a bubble of breast tissue may appear to sit on top of a secondary bubble where the implant lies. Reparation of the breast pocket will correct double bubble and resituate the implant in its rightful place to restore a more natural appearance.

Implant Malposition or Displacement

Infrequently, shifting of the implants may occur. This is most often because of poorly chosen implants and as the result of poor surgical technique. One or both breast implants may become displaced, either too close to the middle (symmastia), too low (bottoming out or double bubble deformity), too high (double bubble deformity), or too far to the side (toward the underarm). The surgeon will create a new breast pocket and adjust the implant capsule to hold it in place and reduce the risk of shifting.

Implant Size or Style

In some cases, women have not had any surgical complications but are dissatisfied with their current implants and how their breasts look and feel. Secondary breast augmentation can exchange the old implants with new implants of a different size and/or style. Dr. Messa will help you make an educated decision about which implant type and size will be the most likely to give you the results you desire.