It’s no wonder breast implants remain one of the most popular cosmetic surgeries year after year, with the great majority of breast augmentation patients ecstatic with their results.
Before, during, and after surgery, most women who have breast augmentation have a reasonably painless and pleasant experience. Complications may, however, develop in rare circumstances. While the majority of postoperative issues are not serious and can be remedied with a future surgery, it is nevertheless critical that patients be informed of the risks associated with breast augmentation and are aware of the signs and symptoms that may indicate a problem.
Although the risk of complication with breast implants is modest in general, capsular contracture, implant rupture, and—more infrequently—bottoming out are some of the more typical concerns that may occur in a small percentage of patients.
Continue reading to discover more about breast implants bottoming out, including how it occurs, warning signals to look for, and how to fix it.
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What does bottoming-out or sagging mean?
Women who get breast augmentation may suffer a condition called bottoming out in rare situations. The implant drops too low on the chest wall in this kind of breast implant displacement, which may occur with either saline or silicone gel implants.
This is caused by a lack of implant support, which may be caused by a variety of factors such as the patient’s skin elasticity or the implant’s location.
What causes implant to sag or bottom out?
Bottomed-out breast implants may be caused by a number of factors, many of which can be traced back to medical or surgical mistakes. As a result, it’s even more critical that patients choose a practitioner who is highly skilled, board-certified, and experienced to do their breast augmentation.
The following are some of the most common causes of breast implants bottoming out:
- Skin that has become weak as a result of aging
- Skin that has stretched out as a result of weight reduction or breastfeeding
- The implant is excessively large (and thus heavy)
- Instead of the implant being under the muscle, the implant is positioned above it
- Ineffective surgical methods were used during the surgery.
How can I tell if my implants have reached their limit?
In the weeks and months after your surgery, when your breast implants settle into place, it may take some time to adjust to their lower position compared to the immediate postoperative period. This is a perfectly normal and anticipated part of the healing process.
However, if you begin to suspect that over time your implant has fallen too much, you may be experiencing bottoming out. Your breast implants will appear saggier than you’d probably like them to be.
Keep a look out for the following indications and symptoms of a breast implant that has bottomed out:
- Instead of facing straight forward, the nipples are pointed upward
- In the bottom area of the breast, there is a bulging
- The gap between the nipple and the breast crease is getting larger
- The feeling as though the implant has shifted in its position
- The breasts are asymmetrical
Can you repair implants that have bottomed out?
If it’s found that your implants have reached their lowest point, don’t panic. The problem may usually be rectified with bottoming out revision surgery, despite the inconvenience. The surgeon will repair and fortify the breast pocket during this operation to ensure that the implant has appropriate support and keeps its place.
In certain situations, patients’ initial implants may be advised to be replaced with smaller implants that are more suited to their frame and skin flexibility. During breast revision surgery, the doctor is often able to reuse a patient’s original incisions to minimize extra scarring.
A breast lift might be recommended to improve the outcomes in situations where the skin is badly sagging or drooping.
What can I do to avoid it?
Fortunately, aesthetic revision surgery may fix bottomed-out implants, but the objective is always to avoid an issue in the first place. Bottoming out is still possible, even with the most skillful surgeon, but there are several things patients and their providers can do to reduce the risk as much as possible, including:
- Select an implant that is the right size for you
- Positioning the implants under the muscle
- Follow your doctor’s postoperative instructions
- Wear a supportive bra, especially if you’re going to the gym
- Smoking should be avoided.
Choosing a board-certified plastic surgeon who is highly skilled and experienced is possibly the most effective way to stop breast implants from bottoming out in the first place, simply for the fact that they’ll inform you of your sizing limits and recommend alternate solutions.
If you discover that your implants are drooping, it’s preferable to address the problem straight away to avoid any potential risk in the future.
