Getting breast implants immediately enhances the size and shape of the breasts. Most people who go through this surgery have positive results, but there is still a percentage that develops complications that could result in having the implants completely removed.
The removal of implants is necessary in situations where the implants rupture or when the patient develops an infection due to the implants. Also, those who react negatively to the implant surgery may be better off without them. When the implants need to be removed, it is done through another surgery.
Once the implants are removed from the breasts, it is possible for the breast to get distorted after. This is especially true for patients who developed a calcified capsular contracture. This can be a very devastating feeling for the patient to see that not only have they lost the volume in their breast, but they are also left with misshapen breasts.
When the distortion happens right after the removal surgery, it will be unclear if it is permanent or if it will resolve on its own. The patient will simply have to wait and see. For some patients, the distortion of their breast disappears after a few months when the breasts are completely healed. It is also normal to find swelling after the revision surgery, which may also cause the distortion of the breasts. Massaging over the area can help in making sure that the breasts heal properly and that the distortion is corrected. The body heals differently for each person, and there are some whose bodies were able to fill the gap left by the removal of their implants.
In other cases, the distortion present may be in the form of a caved in nipple and areola. This is because when the capsule of the implant is removed, the tissues on your breast and the tissue found just below the nipples and areola will heal, but both the surfaces may heal together to form a connecting scar tissue. This scar tissue pulls the nipple or areola inward towards the breast muscles, which is why it looks like the nipple and areola are caved in.
The caving in of the nipples and areola isn’t the fault of the surgeon. The body normally forms the scar tissue as it heals and when that scar tissue connects to the tissues underneath the nipple and areola, it tends to pull them closer. To prevent or manage this condition, you can massage the breasts as they heal. If the massage isn’t enough to correct it, then a revision surgery should also be considered.
The scar revision surgery involves separating the scar tissue of the breast tissue with the scar tissue that is directly under the areola and nipple. After they are separated, fat or more tissue can be used to fill in the area. This will help prevent the nipples and the areola from caving in again. While seeing the deformity can be devastating, it is best to look past that and try to look forward to getting ways to fix it.