What animation deformity is
Animation deformity is a visible movement or distortion of the breast when the pectoralis major muscle contracts, for example when you press your hands together, lift something or reach forward. The implant seems to jump, flatten or shift, and the breast can look pinched or lumpy.
It is a recognised effect of placing the implant beneath the chest muscle. It does not mean the implant is faulty, but it can be bothersome, particularly for people who are active or who lift weights.
Why it happens
When an implant sits behind the pectoralis muscle, the muscle lies over part of the implant. Every time the muscle contracts it squeezes and pushes the implant. Thinner soft tissue over the implant makes the movement easier to see.
How it is corrected
The most direct correction is to change the plane. The implant is moved from under the muscle to over the muscle, so that the muscle no longer acts on it. This is the same plane Dr. Jaberi generally uses for primary augmentation. The old pocket is reshaped and, when needed, tightened so the implant sits well in its new position.
Other parts of the plan are individual. The implant may be exchanged or reduced in size, because a smaller implant with more of your own tissue over it is easier to keep stable and natural. The capsule may need to be treated. Muscle can be released or modified where it is causing the pull.
- Moving the implant to the over-the-muscle plane
- Pocket repair and capsule treatment where needed
- A smaller or different implant if that suits your tissue better
- Fat grafting to add soft-tissue cover and soften edges
Fat grafting, a newer way of thinking
Fat grafting places a small amount of your own fat around the breast to thicken the cover over an implant and soften visible edges. It can help the breast look and feel more natural after the implant is moved. It is an add-on, not a replacement for correcting the pocket.
Some of the transferred fat is absorbed in the months after surgery, so the amount used and the expected result are discussed in advance. Fat grafting is also something to mention to your imaging provider.
What to expect
Correction is a second operation with its own risks, including bleeding, infection, scarring, asymmetry and the possible need for more surgery. A consultation will include an examination, your goals and a clear explanation of what can reasonably be improved. Results vary from person to person.