Revisionary Breast Surgery: Symmastia Correction Silicone Gel Implants Alloderm
| This 44 year old patient from Santa Barbara, California (Northern California) found Dr. Pousti when she was searching for the “best Plastic Surgeon” to assist her in correcting her symmastia.
Dr. Pousti received an email from this patient stating: “I am a 44 years old and had breast augmentation in the mid 80s with silicone implants which were replaced in the mid 90s with saline implants due to contracture. The symmastia developed thereafter. In addition to the symmastia I have a tight tendon that shows through the skin on the left and something underneath one of the breasts that looks like an indentation from the scar from the second procedure. I recall after the second surgery the surgeon telling me he had “cut” something to improve cleavage. I have lots of rippling in the middle and since I lift weights can see my chest wall pulling against the implants when I do something strenuous – it looks pretty bad.”
After speaking with Dr. Pousti, she felt very comfortable proceeding with revisionary breast surgery. After seeing the results that Dr. Pousti has gotten for other patients in the same situation, this patient decided to proceed with revisionary breast augmentation surgery and symmastia repair. One of the more common problems that patients are seeking Dr. Pousti’s help for is symmastia. Symmastia – commonly referred to as “breadloafing” or “uni-boob”, occurs when two implants touch one another in the center of the chest. If the horizontal muscle that is connected to the sternum and goes across the implant is cut during surgery, then the implant can move toward the middle of the chest. Symmastia results from overly aggressive attempts to alter chestwall anatomy trying to increase cleavage in patients. This outcome is made worse by use of larger implants in thin patients, and is a problem for implants over or under the muscle, though submuscular implant placement allows the muscle to provide some softening of the transition to the cleavage area from the augmented breast mound.
Markings were performed to indicate the implant mal-position, where the use of alloderm would be helpful, and symmastia repair.
In the operating room, Dr. Pousti took his time marking the areas of implant mal-position. He wanted to correct the symmastia, improve the position of the breast implants and get a more symmetrical result for the patient. Dr. Pousti also used “Alloderm” to help get the best cosmetic result.
The Surgical Procedure For correction of symmastia, the procedure can take from 2-3 hours depending on how much work is involved. Board Certified Plastic Surgeon, Dr. Pousti takes his time in the operating room to make sure that he does what he can to achieve the best result for the patient. The repair of symmastia requires additional surgery to move the implant back into the pocket of original placement. All sutures are internal – there are no new scars placed on the breasts. * The tissue that encapsulates the implant is cut and rolled back to fit into the pocket. * Tissue is sutured together to hold implant in place. * The muscle is then sutured internally back in place, connecting the sternum. * The incision is then sutured close.
As you can see, before surgery, when pressure was placed on the outside of the breasts, the implants communicated.
After surgery, when pressure was placed on the outside of the breasts, the implants stayed separate. The patient is communicating via email and has sent her post-op pictures to us. She is extremely happy with her early results.
“Here is a photo. I think it looks great! I’m very happy with the results. “ Testimonial: |
