Breast Implant Revision for Symmastia (aka Uniboob and Breadloafing)
When patients meet with Dr. Constance Barone, they can rest assured that they are meeting with one of the best cosmetic skin care and plastic surgery specialists in the San Antonio area. She takes great care in explaining the risks and benefits of every procedure, from breast augmentation surgery using silicone and saline implants to advanced body contouring and sculpting surgeries.
We'd like to take a moment to consider a potential complication that may occur following breast augmentation surgery. It is known as symmastia.
About Symmastia
Also known as breadloafing and uniboob, symmastia is a potential complication of breast augmentation surgery. When symmastia occurs, the breast implants begin to drift from the pocket created in each breast and migrate toward the sternum. In bad cases of symmastia, the two implant completely join in the central portion of the chest around the sternum, offering no natural space between the left and right breast.
Common Causes of Symmastia
During the breast augmentation procedure, some tissue is removed in order to create a pocket in which an implant can reside. When too much tissue is removed close to the middle portion of the chest, this increases the likelihood of the implants drifting toward the center of the chest, resulting in symmastia.
Many times the complication is more likely when a patient get breast implants that are much larger than their frame, which makes sense given the stress that large implants can place on the remaining breast tissue.
Preventing Symmastia: What Plastic Surgeons Can Do
During the consultation process, Dr. Barone will carefully consider the aesthetic goals and treatment needs of each patient. She will then devise an exact treatment plan that takes into account the patient's frame and body type and which kinds of implants would be best for the situation.
The size, shape, composition, and placement of the breast implants will be carefully considered in order to ensure patients achieve their aesthetic goals without an undue increase in risks or complications.
Breast Augmentation Revision for Symmastia
Symmastia is a very rare complications, but should it occur, there are plenty of options for treatment to consider.
The most common option for treatment is breast implant revision surgery. When addressing symmastia, this will typically involve the removal of the old breast implant(s) and the placement of a new implant or implants. When placing a new implant, it may be placed under the pectoral muscle or beneath the mammary gland after a new pocket has been fashioned. Whenever possible, surgeons will work through the same incision sites made for the primary surgery.
The Results of Symmastia Revision Surgery
Following breast augmentation revision, patients will typically notice great improvements in the appearance of their breasts. Aesthetic issues will no longer be a problem. Recovery time will typically be a week to two weeks, and many patients are able to return to normal activities by that time.
During the consultation for your revision procedure, we will be able to discuss these matters in much greater detail.
Learn More About Breast Augmentation Revision
For more information about revision procedures after breast augmentation surgery, be sure to contact our cosmetic plastic surgery center today. Dr. Constance Barone looks forward to your visit and helping you look your very best.
