A complication after breast augmentation can occur in rare cases. These include, among others:
Waterfall deformity after breast augmentation
Waterfalldeformity after breast augmentation should not be confused with a double-bubble phenomenon, as the corrective surgery for these changes is different.
How does waterfall deformity develop?
If a waterfall deformity occurs long after the operation, this is generally due to sagging skin. The sagging skin of the breast causes the mammary gland to slide downwards, as would normally happen due to the ageing process without breast augmentation.
However, if the breast implant remains where it was implanted, waterfall deformity occurs. It is particularly evident in the profile. The line between the collarbone and the nipple is characterized by two elevations (‘bumps’). The upper bump is caused by the breast implant, the lower one by the mammary gland.
If the waterfall deformity occurs directly after the operation, it can be assumed that the implants are sitting too high with relatively sagging breasts.
Correction of the waterfall deformity
Is it a waterfall deformity that has developed long after the breast augmentation? If so, the problem can often be corrected with a breast lift without changing the position of the breast implants.
If the change occurs immediately after breast surgery, our team at the Yuveo Clinic in Düsseldorf recommends both a deep placement of the breast implants and a breast lift. However, it is important to wait until the swelling of the breast has subsided and the scar is free of irritation after the operation. This can take 3-6 months or longer.
The double bubble phenomenon?
The double-bubble phenomenon after breast augmentation is rare. It could also be translated as double-bubble phenomenon in German. I prefer the English version here.
How does the double bubble phenomenon arise?
The double-bubble phenomenon is particularly easy to assess when viewed from the side. In contrast to the waterfall deformity, the two protrusions can be seen between the nipple and the underbust fold.
The most common cause of this change is a small breast size before breast augmentation, which does not fit the diameter of the ribcage because the base is too narrow.
If a breast implant with a larger but suitable diameter is inserted, the underbust crease must be significantly lowered. The tissue (mammary gland, fat and skin) must now stretch so that the retraction caused by the former underbust fold disappears.
If we notice this during the operation, we act immediately in Düsseldorf.
Corrective surgery for the double bubble phenomenon
If the skin does not stretch to the desired extent in the weeks or months following breast augmentation, another operation cannot be avoided.
The principle is that we weaken the tissue, which is too resistant, with so-called relief incisions from the inside. If we consider the tissue to be too rigid at the time of the breast operation, we immediately make the incisions.
Double bubble formation in the tubular breast.
Breast augmentation is an important form of treatment for tubular breasts. As tubular breasts are characterized by a narrow base, the double-bubble phenomenon is more common after surgery. Corrective surgery is also performed as described above. However, the relief incisions are usually made at the same time as the breast augmentation.
What is rippling?
Rippling after breast augmentation is a visible and palpable wrinkling of the breast implants. It was common with the older generation of breast implants that were filled with silicone, which had a more honey-like consistency as opposed to the gel consistency used today.
As a result, rippling is now less common with the new generation of breast implants. The change is more common in very slim patients with breast implants implanted above the pectoral muscle. If the implants are placed under the pectoral muscle, the wrinkling is concealed by the muscle.
Corrective surgery for rippling
To correct the rippling, the causes described above must be eliminated.
- If new-generation breast implants containing silicone gel are used for breast augmentation, rippling is less common.
- If the breast implants were placed on the pectoral muscle in a very slim person, it is preferable to change the implant pocket to submuscular (under the pectoral muscle).
- A certain amount of weight gain in extremely slim women can also significantly reduce rippling. However, weight gain is generally not in the interest of those affected.
What is capsular fibrosis?
Around every implant (not only in breast augmentation), the body forms an endogenous shell called a capsule. This is normally very delicate and cannot be felt. In the case of capsular fibrosis, this capsule thickens due to …
Read more under capsular fibrosis. Our Düsseldorf team will explain the details to you.
Asymmetry after breast augmentation
We can correct congenital breast asymmetry in Düsseldorf with breast augmentation or breast reduction.
It is not surprising that the breasts are not exactly the same afterwards, especially in the case of large deformities. However, asymmetry can also remain after a normal breast augmentation. In the initial phase, this is usually due to the post-operative swelling, which already decreases in the first few days.
As the breast implants have not yet grown firmly at the beginning, a certain degree of mobility can be observed. This means that the implant position can also vary. They should therefore be stabilized after breast augmentation.
This can be done with a bra, a Stuttgart belt, a body bandage or bandage with an elastic wrap or a combination of all measures.
Especially in the first 2 weeks after breast augmentation, the implants have not yet completely grown in and can therefore still be corrected in terms of position.
However, if the asymmetry persists for months after the breast augmentation, we can, if necessary, only perform a surgical correction in our Düsseldorf clinic.
Can deafness persist after the operation?
Yes, numbness or a deterioration in skin sensation that persists is possible after breast augmentation , but it is rare. It can affect the nipple or another part of the breast. The cause may be the severing of fine skin nerves in the armpit area, for example.
A rarity can also be seen in the form of an atypical nerve running up from the center of the planned implant site to the nipple. In order to be able to insert the breast implant, it must unfortunately be cut 🙁.
However, a reduction in skin sensation directly after breast augmentation is not uncommon. The reason for this is the compression of the nerves due to swelling, pressure from the bandage and ultimately also the pressure from the breast implants. This loss of sensation improves within 2-8 weeks (sometimes even later).
What is Mondor’s disease?
This is a rare condition that can occur after breast surgery and which you can find out more about under Mondor’s disease.
Sources:
- Plastic surgery – Krupp – Ecomed – 2008 – (ring binder)
- Aesthetic surgery – Lemperle, von Heimburg – Ecomed – 2008 – (ring binder)
- Plastic Surgery – Berger, Hierner – Springer – Volume 3: Mamma, Stamm – Berlin 2006
- Plastic Surgery – Mathes – 8 Volumes – Saunders; Edition: Uitgawe – 2005
- Plastic Surgery – Grabb & Smith – Lippinkott Williams & Wilkins – Philadelphia USA – 2007
