Breast Augmentation Double Bubble Complication

Having cosmetic surgery is not without its risks. Because it is an invasive procedure there is always the chance for infection or scarring to take place. There is also a risk of complications associated with the anesthetic or rejection by the body of the implant. With breast augmentation there is also a fairly uncommon but serious complication light-heartedly referred to as a double bubble. This can occasionally happen right afterwards or often many months or years down the road. When it does it is critical to have it fixed as quickly as possible because it sill get worse as time goes on.

This condition occurs in one of several ways. Most commonly if the implant is placed behind the muscle there is a bubble where it sits. Then as natural tissue behind sags it creates a second bubble with a defined fold between the two. Another case is when the breast augmentation is placed too low creating a groove between the nipple and the new lower crease. This separates the upper from the lower and hence the name double bubble. It is also to have a similar result with oversized implants or when there is scarring around the implantation site. It is important to note that this condition does not only result because of surgical error. If a young woman has a breast augmentation and then ages has kids and nature begins to take its course, as things move south it is possible for the implant to fail to migrate naturally. This is not common but is certainly not unheard of.

The best way to avoid this double bubble complication is to do your research before selecting a surgeon. Go with a board certified doctor who has extensive experience with breast augmentation. Also it is crucial to really take into consider what he or she says and recommends. It is not always best to go with something very large when it would look and feel more natural to have something well suited to your specific anatomy.

When it comes to treating this condition it is not advised to rush into a surgical intervention. Because it is often the result of shifting of tissue it is recommended that the patient wait at least six months to see if everything may settle on its own. This approach often works and is highly recommended because it avoids expensive and painful revision surgery, which often increases scarring.

If however, the wait and see approach does not work it may be necessary to have a lift surgery. Here the surgeon will lift the tissue and also replace or reposition the implant. They may also choose to tighten the lower crease and thereby firm up the sagging area to gently place thing in their correct position.

Whichever method is chosen will largely depend on what has caused the complication. Also the doctor's reference will come into play regarding what he would like to do. Many times a surgeon will have a policy for revision in which he waives his surgical fee. On the other hand the patient still needs to pay for anesthesia and the hospital visit so the cost is not inconsiderable.