Side Effects After Breast Augmentation

[BongBong Plastic Surgery]

Side effects after breast augmentation: how is “Animation Deformity” restored?

Breast augmentation has long established itself as one of the representative surgeries that has helped improve many people’s concerns about body shape. With the development of various implants and surgical methods, we are now in an era where results can satisfy both natural appearance and feel. However, as time passes, some patients experience discomfort from side effects they never expected after surgery. Among them, the issue known as “Animation Deformity,” in which the breasts abnormally contract and are pulled upward or become distorted whenever a person exercises or moves their arms, occurs more often than many might expect. In fact, many women experience psychological stress and physical discomfort in daily life because of this symptom.

This animation deformity is more likely to occur when surgery has been performed using the “submuscular insertion method,” in which the implant is placed under the pectoralis major muscle. It tends to appear more severely, especially in people who exercise frequently or use their muscles often due to their body type.

When even simple movements such as raising the arms or lifting a heavy object cause the upper part of the chest to draw inward and deform right before your eyes, patients not only lose satisfaction with their appearance, but their confidence in their own body also gradually declines. It is not uncommon for them to forget the very reasons they decided on cosmetic surgery in the first place and instead feel that they are “more uncomfortable than before.”

Because animation deformity is a complex issue that can cause not only cosmetic problems but also functional and emotional discomfort, it is important to understand that simple revision surgery or implant replacement alone is not enough to improve it. A more precise and fundamental approach is needed.

One treatment option to consider is “pectoralis major reconstruction,” a surgical method that helps restore a more stable and natural breast shape by improving the structural problems caused by the original submuscular placement and properly readjusting the implant position.

Pectoralis major reconstruction is generally performed by relocating the implant inserted under the muscle to the area above the pectoralis major muscle, that is, the “above-muscle position” (subglandular or dual-plane position), and securing the pectoralis major muscle, which has been improperly dissected or loosened, back to its original anatomical position to restore function. Unlike simply reinserting the implant, this process aims to minimize the interaction between muscle movement and the implant to prevent abnormal deformation caused by motion. Because the surgery requires precise anatomical understanding and advanced technique, sufficient clinical experience and skilled surgical expertise are essential.

In addition, before surgery, various diagnostic steps must be carried out to accurately understand the patient’s breast condition. A successful surgical outcome can only be expected when the condition of the existing implant, the presence of a capsule, skin elasticity, and the distribution of scar tissue are all considered comprehensively.

After pectoralis major reconstruction, animation deformity often decreases significantly or disappears. Because the implant position is stably fixed, positive effects have been reported not only in terms of appearance satisfaction but also in psychological recovery over the long term.

Ultimately, animation deformity is not something that can be improved through a simplistic interpretation such as, “Is the implant wrong?” or “Did I overdo exercise?” It may be the result of anatomical imbalance that started at the root, insufficient consideration in selecting the implant plane, or a surgical method that did not adequately take into account the individual’s body type and lifestyle habits. If these symptoms continue, rather than worrying alone, it is most important to seek a diagnosis from a board-certified plastic surgeon with deep expertise in animation deformity and extensive surgical experience.

Even if you did not get a satisfying result from a single breast augmentation, there is no need to be discouraged. In particular, animation deformity is one of the better-known side effects, and there are sufficient restoration surgery methods tailored to it. Please remember that through an objective evaluation and appropriate surgical intervention, you can return to a natural and confident appearance once again!

So far, we have taken a look together with BongBong Plastic Surgery at [the side effects that can occur after breast augmentation, “Animation Deformity,” and “restoration methods.”] We hope this was very helpful in getting the information you needed :)