About Breast Implant Pocket Adjustment
Most commonly, implant ptosis, or “bottoming out”, happens when a patient’s tissues may not be strong enough to support the weight of the implant over time. It is more commonly seen in thin patients and with sub glandular placed implants, however, it can randomly occur with any augmentation patient. In rare cases, over dissection at the time of surgery can lead to implant ptosis, but this is generally not a common cause of bottoming out. Over dissection is readily recognized when, immediately postoperatively, the implant is noted to be positioned too low on the chest.
Correction of implant ptosis can be difficult and may require multiple surgeries. Capsulorrhaphy procedure to reconstruct the implant pocket is the gold standard for treating implant ptosis or malposition. If capsulorrhaphy by itself is ineffective, then the use of Galaform, Ovitex or Strattice (an acellular reconstructive tissue matrix to support the tissue and hold the breast pocket in the desired location) is required. These procedures can take anywhere from 1 to 6 hours depending upon the complexity of the condition.
It is a difficult problem to address surgically. Patients should remember that the larger implant is heavier and patients with thinner skin are more likely to bottom out leading to this challenging complication.
The Aesthetica Difference
At Aesthetica Plastic Surgery, our surgeons have over 25 years of combined extensive experience and have successfully performed thousands of implant pocket correction procedures. Implant pocket correction is a specialized technique used to address complications such as implant malposition, capsular contracture, or asymmetry. During your personalized consultation, your surgeon will thoroughly evaluate your unique anatomy and discuss your goals in detail. Based on this comprehensive assessment, they will recommend the most appropriate surgical approach to optimize implant placement and achieve natural, balanced, and lasting results tailored specifically to you.
Journey to Confidence
At your consultation, you will meet with our patient care team to review your medical history as well as your goals for surgery. You will then meet with your surgeon to discuss the details of the procedure, recovery and expectations as well as create a surgical plan to achieve natural, youthful results. Our office staff will provide you with a surgical quote and assist in scheduling a surgery date.
You will have a pre-operative appointment three weeks prior to surgery. At this appointment, you will sign surgical consents, discuss any last minute questions and concerns, get your pre surgery goodie bag and get further pre- and post-surgery instructions. Photos will be taken at this appointment.
You will arrive at our accreditated surgery center about an hour before the procedure will begin. You will meet with our incredible surgical team to get you comfortable in preparation for your upcoming procedure. The procedure typically takes about 1-3 hours after which you will recover in our post surgical recovery room until your caregiver arrives to pick you up.
After surgery, you may notice some bruising, swelling and inflammation. If a tissue matrix is used to support the pocket repair, you will likely have drains for 2 weeks. Make sure you are walking frequently, drinking lots of fluids and getting lots of protein to aid in a smooth recovery.
Bruising and swelling will start within 1-3 days. Make sure to take your Bromelain and Arnica to minimize the effects of bruising and swelling. You may feel tightness, tingling, and numbness that should start to subside over the next couple of weeks. Most patients can expect to resume normal activities within 6 to 8 weeks following surgery. It is important to avoid any movements or exercises—such as running or heavy lifting—that place downward pressure on the implants during this time, allowing the internal pocket repair to heal properly. At Aesthetica, your safety and recovery are our top priorities. We provide frequent post-operative visits to monitor your progress closely and ensure optimal healing. Additionally, patients have 24/7 access to an on-call nurse for any urgent concerns or questions that may arise during recovery.
Experience the transformation, notice the difference, and embrace your renewed confidence. Most patients feel deeply reassured in their decision to undergo breast implant pocket adjustment, knowing they’ve taken an important step toward achieving balance, comfort, and results that reflect their aesthetic goals.
Aesthetica Plastic Surgery Reviews
Dr Curiel does a great job at making sure everything looks good, even when something happens during the recovery time.
Dr. Curiel has been extremely professional and has made this experience better than I hoped. I would recommend him to anyone looking for a wonderful surgeon.
Dr. Curiel was fantastic to work with. He spent the time with me to talk through options to make sure I was going to get the exact result I wanted. He was very attentive and thorough with my medical history. Extremely happy with my results! I can’t recommend Dr. Curiel enough.
I had such a great experience!! I had stretched earlobes which I hated, and after this surgery my ear looks amazing!! I was able to get it re-pierced, and the scaring is super minimal and not noticeable. I’m super happy I chose to come to Dr. Curiel!!
THE BEST. 10/10 recommend. Changed myLifeDr. Curiel is amazing. He did the most amazing job. My before and after are LIFE CHANGING!! I am so grateful to him!!! And I’ve been healing AMAZING! Literally the best thing I’ve ever done.
622
Total Reviews
5
Average Rating
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is a candidate for breast pocket adjustment?
Patients who experience implant malposition—such as implants that have dropped below the natural breast fold or appear off-center—may be ideal candidates for implant pocket adjustment. This procedure is designed to reposition the implant for improved symmetry, support, and aesthetic balance.
What is the downtime for pocket adjustment?
Patients should refrain from strenous activity for 6-8 weeks. It is important to avoid movements or exercises that place a downward pressure on the implant pocket repair. Patients can typically return to sedentary work about 3-5 days after surgery.
Will I need new implants after pocket adjustment?
Not necessarily. New implants are not required for pocket adjustments, but if the implants you currently have are older than 10 years old, it would be ideal to replace the implants at the same time as the adjustment to ensure you get the best possible result.
Can pocket adjustment be done at the same time as a re-augmentation or breast lift?
Patients frequently opt to replace breast implants as well as lift and tighten the breast tissue at the time of pocket adjustment surgery to optimize results.
When should Salt Lake City patients consider breast pocket adjustment after augmentation surgery?
Breast pocket adjustment may be recommended if implants have shifted position, asymmetry has developed, or changes in the breast tissue have affected the overall appearance after augmentation surgery. This revision technique can help our patients improve implant placement, balance, and long-term aesthetic results.