What Causes Breast Implants to Bottom Out?

Some women are born with naturally small breast tissue. Others may have experienced flat or sagging breasts due to pregnancy and breastfeeding. No matter your reason for choosing breast implants, board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Sean Kelishadi helps women achieve their desired curves through breast augmentation surgery. At SSK Plastic Surgery, we perform countless procedures each year for women who want to feel more confident about their bodies.

Despite the success of most breast surgeries, some patients fear future complications with their implants. Bottoming out, or breast implant displacement, is a condition that occurs when the breast implants move out of place. This may cause the tissue to become misaligned or lopsided. Fortunately, the professionals at SSK Plastic Surgery can address all of your questions about bottoming out and more. Reach out for a private consultation in Newport Beach, CA.

Am I a candidate for breast implants?

So what is bottoming out, and are you at risk for this complication? Bottoming out occurs when a breast implant loses support, or when the underlying muscle is too weak to hold it in place. The implant may start to sink down on the chest as a result. The most common cause of bottoming out is a lack of elasticity in the breast tissue due to dramatic weight loss, pregnancy, and nursing, or natural aging. In some cases, however, patients experience a breast implant bottoming out because they chose the wrong size implants for their body type.

Each person has their own idea of the perfect breast appearance and shape. When considering breast augmentation surgery, it is important to choose the right implants to get an appealing result without going overboard. Since smaller implants are lighter in weight, they hold less risk of bottoming out. Larger implants are heavy and may increase your risk for displacement. This means that bigger is not always better. During your consultation at SSK Plastic Surgery, we can help determine your candidacy for surgery and let you know if your vision is realistic in terms of size and proportion.

How does the procedure work?

Patients will get to choose between silicone gel or saline breast implants to increase breast size or restore lost volume. Dr. Kelishadi can review the pros and cons of each material during the consultation. During surgery, implants are placed either in front of or behind the pectoralis muscle. Placement is also chosen based on the patient’s unique needs and the desired end result. We will continue to monitor your progress after surgery and make sure the healing is going as planned with no complications. With the advanced tools and techniques used at SSK Plastic Surgery, patients can return to their normal schedule after surgery within a few weeks.

What are the symptoms of bottoming out?

Bottoming out may occur years after the recovery process has ended. As we stated earlier, patients with implants that are too large are at higher risk for a breast implant bottoming out. Symptoms include a loss of volume in the upper breast, increased volume in the lower breast, an upward-pointing nipple, or thinning skin under the breast. The best way to protect against bottoming out in the future is to make sure the implants are properly positioned from the beginning. Seek help from a qualified and experienced plastic surgeon to ensure the best results. This is why Dr. Kelishadi is one of the leaders for local breast implant procedures in Newport Beach, CA.

What happens if my breast implants dropped too much?

If you had breast augmentation surgery and your breast implants dropped too much, it is essential to reach out to SSK Plastic Surgery right away for an evaluation. We will be able to determine the extensiveness of your condition and make sure there are no other underlying issues. The only option to correct breast implant displacement is through a revision surgery at our office. In this procedure, the implants can be removed and replaced with smaller options and adjusted for a full and perky appearance. No matter your needs, we hope to provide a high-quality service that leaves you satisfied with your results.

Learn more about breast augmentation with implants

There is a lot that goes into getting a breast augmentation procedure. When it comes to getting the right implants for your body, the staff at SSK Plastic Surgery wants you to be confident in the choices you make. It is our hope that breast augmentation allows you to achieve the fullness you want without complications. If your breast implants have dropped too much, we encourage you to reach out to our office right away. Dr. Sean Kelishadi is able to provide helpful and positive solutions without compromising your safety and appearance. Learn more about breast implant displacement and bottoming out by making an appointment in Newport Beach, CA.