|
|
Bottoming Out
Bottoming out is an unappealing condition which affects some
breast implant
patients due to a variety of reasons. The condition is characterized by
implant migration
towards the
inframammary fold
and an abnormally high
nipple
placement. Surgical correction of this condition is the only effective treatment strategy.

Symptoms of Bottoming Out
Symptoms of a bottomed out condition include the sinking of the implant down the chest wall, an unusually high nipple position on the breast mound and a deterioration of the natural (or surgically created) inframammary crease. The appearance of the breast will be strange and unnatural, with the nipple in the upper quadrant of the breast. Frequently, women report overexposure when dressed, since they cannot achieve nice cleavage without risking their nipples being seen. Women who have undergone
inframammary augmentation
will notice their
scars
creeping up the breast mound and becoming more visible with time.
Causes of Bottoming Out
Bottomed out implants can occur for several distinct causes. The most common of these reasons includes:* Surgeon error can create an overly dissected pocket which does not support the implant correctly. This simply means that the space designed to hold the implant is too large and extends too far down the breast interior. This is an example of
breast surgery iatrogenesis.
* Subglandular
placement in some patients does not allow adequate implant support due to thin
breast
tissue and skin.
* Inframammary
incisions can stretch and cause the degeneration of the natural breast fold, allowing the implant to descend. * Heavy implants will accelerate normal and expected breast tissue and skin
ptosis
in many patients, especially in subglandular placements.
* Poorly executed
implant placement
during surgery. This is commonly a symptom of an inexperienced doctor.
Treatment for Bottomed Out Implants
Surgical
revision
is indicated for severe cases of bottomed out implants. The procedure varies, but usually includes the
removal
of the implants and the revision of the pockets. Internal sutures and tissue folding are typically performed to support the implant weight and the inframammary fold might need to be anatomically corrected. Changing implant placement to a
subpectoral
(good) or
submuscular
(better) placement will help considerably. Severe bottomed out implants might have caused considerable breast ptosis which might need to be addressed by
mastopexy.
Once the infrastructure of the breast is reinforced and any external issues addressed, the implants can be replaced in their new anatomical position.
Recommendation on Bottoming Out
This is not a very common condition, but it does occur in some patients. A good surgeon will usually not cause this
complication
since they are meticulous in surgery and understand the reasons why this defect occurs. However, due to problematic bodily characteristics, bottomed out implants can occur even with the very best operative care. If you are experiencing this annoying and unaesthetic complication, it might be time to consult a
cosmetic surgeon
for help. Surgical revision requires an experienced specialist who can understand the particulars of why your implants have descended. To learn more about treatment for abnormally low breast implants, consult a qualified
plastic surgeon
today.
Bottoming Out to Breast Surgery
12/2/07 Revised 6/11/11
|
|

                             

All materials copyright 2007-2012 by Breast-Plastic-Surgery.Org. No material, text or graphics may be reproduced or distributed in any form, without written permission from the author. Anyone who infringes on this copyright will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.
|