Before and after bilateral breast revision in a 57-year-old breast cancer survivor. She previously had bilateral nipple-sparing mastectomies and implant reconstruction with implants that were placed partially under the muscle. Her goals included to be slightly larger with a more natural breast shape and the ability to wear V-neck tops without an unnatural upper chest appearance.
She had a significant animation deformity and chronic tightness and pain that limited her ability to exercise and play golf. Her left implant crossed the midline and created “symmastia,” or “uniboob” due to aggressive dissection of the sternal attachments of the pectoralis major muscle and loss of her normal breast footprint.
Her revision involved removal of the old low profile implants, returning her chest muscles to their proper position on the ribs and sternum and reconstructing their anatomic attachments with gradually dissolving sutures. By the time the internal stitches dissolve, the muscles have healed in position and a new pocket has been formed to hold the implant.
A new space was made for implants on top of the muscle, in the prepectoral position. Smooth round higher profile silicone gel breast implants were inserted, and liposuction removed excess fat from the armpits and bra rolls – known as the axillary rolls.
Follow up photos are shown 1 year after surgery, with correction of her symmastia and animation deformities, comfort while golfing, playing tennis and weight lifting, and a happy patient who no longer has a constant reminder of her breast cancer diagnosis.
*All photos are actual patient photographs and are for illustrative purposes only. Individual results may vary.
