Breast Implants
There are different forms of breast implants. One type is the breast implant being placed in front of the muscle. Another type is when the implant is placed behind the muscle partially or completely. Patients that decide to acquire breast implants behind the muscle may experience what is known as the double bubble effect. This is a complication of breast augmentation that results from an inappropriate surgery. The breast implant stays in place, but the breast tissue in the front sags as it naturally would with age. This makes the chest appear to have a double bubble. Different procedures used cause a variance in the appearance of this deformity.
Sub-glandular
The process known as sub-glandular breast implant placement is the least likely of the three procedures to be affected by the appearance of the double bubble. This process allows the implant to "drop" faster and heals more quickly. The double bubble effect is less likely to occur because the implant will sag with the natural breast tissue. The disadvantage to this procedure is the implant may sag more than the other procedures. There is up to a 30% chance of capsular contraction as a result of scar tissue. Scar tissue forming around the implant in the sub-glandular area can build to be thick and painful in contrast with the other procedures.
Sub-pectoral
Sub-pectoral and sub-muscular procedures are more likely to be affected by the double bubble. These processes are more painful and implants "drop" more slowly. Sub-pectoral procedures allow the breast implant to be placed under the pectoral muscle, in front of the rib cage. The bottom portion of the implant is not covered by the muscle, creating a tear-drop effect. There is a small chance of double bubble with sub-pectoral placement due to its partial placement.
Sub-muscular
Sub-muscular placement is the process of placing the implant completely under the muscles of the chest. This process is the most likely in which the patient may experience the double bubble effect. The breast tissue behaves as it is completely separate from the implant, in that it sags as the patient ages. As the patient exercises and flexes their chest muscles, the implants move. A breast lift can alleviate the double bubble situation. The lift creates the slope of natural breasts. Of the three procedures, sub-pectoral and sub-glandular are the least likely to be affected by the double bubble. Consult your surgeon with any concerns about the three procedures.
Tags: double bubble, breast implant, breast tissue, bubble effect, double bubble effect