When you have fresh breast implants, you’re likely feeling on top of the world. As you age, your implants grow older with you, and with that may come some unwanted movement and other changes. Whether it’s from gravity, tissue laxity, the implant stretching out the pocket or an error on the doctor’s end, displacement is a potential concern. If you feel like your breast implant has shifted, see what the experts have to say on what it means and what options you have.
Featured experts
- Olga Bachilo, MD is a board-certified plastic surgeon in Houston
- Mark Jewell, MD is a board-certified plastic surgeon in Eugene, OR
- Ashley Steinberg, MD is a board-certified plastic surgeon in Houston and Natrelle partner
What is breast implant displacement?
“Breast implant displacement refers to the movement of a breast implant from its intended position within the surgical pocket created during breast augmentation,” says Houston plastic surgeon Ashley Steinberg, MD. Houston plastic surgeon Olga Bachilo, MD explains that displacement often involves implants either move too far down or too far to the side, towards the midline or laterally.
How can breast implant displacement happen?
“Ideally, the implant stays within the carefully crafted pocket, but over time or under certain conditions, it can shift, leading to an unnatural appearance or physical discomfort,” says Dr. Steinberg. Dr. Bachilo says displacement can occur as a result of normal activity, aging, tissue laxity and gravity or the pectoralis muscle pushing the implant to the side. Dr. Steinberg notes that the weight of the implant itself can also stretch or weaken the pocket, resulting in displacement. Additionally, “In some cases, the initial surgical pocket may have been over-dissected or not providing enough internal support.”
Eugene, OR plastic surgeon Mark Jewell, MD notes that breast displacements are most often related to a bigger root cause, like a planning or technical error. Issues like the implant being too big or too wide or tissue being too thin can result in displacement down the line. Placing implants in the wrong location to begin with can also lead to displacement, he adds. This is part of the reason it’s essential to work with a board-certified doctor with positive client reviews and before-and-afters.
Types of breast implant displacement
Lateral displacement is when the implant shifts toward the armpit, while bottoming out involves the implant moving downward and pushing out the natural breast fold, says Dr. Steinberg. A less common type of displacement, symmastia, is where the implants migrate toward the center of the chest, she adds.
Signs of breast implant displacement
Changes in the appearance or feel of breasts can be a sign of displacement. Things like discomfort, asymmetry and uneven breast height should be a red flag to get your implants checked, says Dr. Steinberg. An unbalanced appearance, like one implant sitting too low on the chest wall with the nipple being too high on the breast, can be an indication of displacement, says Dr. Bachilo. Other signs include “implants that shift noticeably when lying down or raising the arms, nipples that appear unusually high or low relative to the breast mound and widened cleavage or implants that seem too far apart or too close together,” says Dr. Steinberg.
Is breast implant displacement inherently bad?
“Displacement is not always problematic. I often tell patients: ‘It’s only a problem if it bothers you,’” says Dr. Steinberg. “Some people live for years with mild displacement and don’t even realize it. Others only become concerned once it affects aesthetics or causes discomfort.”
Solutions for breast implant displacement
If you do want to address implant displacement, it’ll likely require another breast surgery. “This may require use of new implants, use of mesh, change of breast pocket or use of special suturing to correct malposition,” says Dr. Bachilo.
“The solution depends on the severity and the patient’s goals. If the patient wishes to keep implants, correction involves revision surgery to adjust the implant pocket,” says Dr. Steinberg. “If the patient no longer wants implants, the implants can be removed, and the pocket can be closed or modified, often in conjunction with a breast lift to reshape the breast.”
