Double Bubble Boobs – What is it? How & Why This Deformity Occurs & How it Can Be Fixed

Although it can be a life-changing and successful procedure, as breast augmentation is a highly invasive form of cosmetic surgery, it is not without risks. One of those risks of breast augmentation procedure is double bubble boobs.

While the term may sound a little comical, it is a serious complication. We discuss this deformity which can occur from badly installed breast implants that you should be aware of. What it is, why it happens and how it can be fixed, as well as our patient’s story and experience.

What is double bubble deformity in breast implants?

Double bubble deformity is a descriptive term that refers to a post-operative complication that can happen following breast augmentation, when the implants drop down behind where the chest muscle meets the lower breast, instead of forward. This shift causes an unnatural line or indentation across the bottom of the breast and is seen particularly when the arms are lifted.

What Causes Double Bubble?

There are a variety of causes for double bubble deformity. Generally, it most commonly occurs when women have sagging breasts and had their breast implants placed submuscular, that is under the chest muscles.

In this situation, their breast tissue hangs down enough for it to look just like a pair of breasts, while the breast implants look like another pair.

One way to reduce this from happening is by having the implants placed over the muscles, which is referred to as sub-glandular breast implant placement.

As an addition, the surgeon may suggest that the patient needs a breast lift as well as a breast augmentation.

Pregnancy can also cause a double bubble when the breast tissue drops as a result of the excessive weight they gained while they were pregnant, but the implants stayed in place.

Other women that are particularly at risk are those with limited lower breast skin or a shorter than normal distance between the breast crease and areola’s bottom.

Capsular Contracture

Furthermore, a contributing cause of double bubble is what is known as breast augmentation capsular contracture.

Which occurs when the scar tissue around your breast implant tightens up, causing not just aesthetic, but physical issues.

Capsular contracture usually happens during the first couple of years after a breast augmentation procedure. The procedure to fix this is called a capsulectomy and is something we offer here at Linia Cosmetic Surgery

If you would like to book an appointment with one of our friendly, experienced surgeons with no obligation, please Contact Us today 

Several additional problems can lead to a double bubble:

• When you have implants that are too heavy or big in relation to your chest wall and causes your supporting tissues to migrate, settle or stretch below the inframammary crease.
• Implants that have not been positioned properly by the plastic surgeon
• Constricted mammary crease
• The patient suffers from tuberous breasts
• There is scarring present from past breast procedures and surgeries

It is important to note that while it is one of the causes, poorly executed breast augmentation procedures and implant placements are just one of many.

Does Double Bubble go away on its own?

The short answer is yes, there are some occasions when treatment for double bubble deformity is not necessary as it will resolve itself.

Often, plastic surgeons dealing with the issue will suggest taking a ‘wait and see’ approach for at least six months following breast augmentation with breast implants, particularly if it has not been caused by misplaced implants or badly executed surgery.

This is ideal for anyone who does not want to endure more “work” as it means they will be able to rest up and recover more naturally.

Additionally, it also means they do not have to have any more disruptions to their normal schedule.

It is not a foregone conclusion that this is going to work, but it is worth considering. Unfortunately, sometimes it does not resolve itself with time and will need a surgeon’s further intervention to fix.

Does Double Bubble get worse over time?

The aim of any plastic surgery, as long as you have it performed by a reputable and qualified surgeon, is to enhance your looks and improve your lifestyle. However, things happen and things go wrong.

As is the case when any form of plastic surgery goes wrong, if the effects are left untreated, they could worsen over time.

We have already established that depending on your situation, body type, placement of the implants and quality of the procedure performed, it may be best to just wait and see.

Sometimes, this means though things will get worse. For instance, the implants may start to shift more, or as you lose weight or gain weight dramatically, it may cause the doubling effect to happen.

It may even be that you do not see any negative or unappealing results following breast implants or augmentation immediately after, but over time, as things settle.

However, if any complications occur or you experience results that you were not expecting, or anything does not feel right at all, you should contact your surgeon to discuss these.

They will be able to assess the situation and come up with the best solution.

How do you fix a double bubble?

While yes, there are some occasions when treatment for double bubble deformity is not necessary as it will resolve itself, often times, it will need intervention.

Often, plastic surgeons dealing with the issue will suggest taking a ‘wait and see’ approach for at least six months following breast augmentation with breast implants, particularly if it has not been caused by misplaced implants or badly executed surgery.

If the above does not work, there are a number of different ways to correct double bubble deformity, all of which include surgery of some form.

• One of the most common options is revision breast augmentation surgery that involves a mastopexy or breast lift and the submuscular placement of the breast implants.
• An alternative involves the removal of the breast implants and placement of new implants to the front of that muscle. Although this placement can help by filling out any sagging skin, it can cause rippling to occur.
• The crease in the breast can be modified. For this, a small incision is made into the crease, which is then tightened up and raised by inserting sutures along the bottom pole of the breast. This process eases the breast implant back into the correct position.
• The best double bubble correction for your situation, body shape and type will be discussed when you have your consultation appointment with the original plastic surgeon. If it is only recently you had the breast augmentation surgery, the “wait and see” approach may be taken so you are fully recovered.
• However, if time has moved on a considerable amount since the date of your surgery, you may need to have revision surgery.

Another factor to consider is the payment side of things. All plastic surgeons and practices have a different policy.

If you are going back to the same surgeon, it may be that you do not need to pay the surgical fee but may have to pay facility and anaesthesia fees.

Many clients don’t want to go back to the same surgeon who may have caused the double bubble boob effect through negligence or incompetence.

In this case, of course, a separate payment will need to be made to the surgeon fixing the issue for you.

We Fixed Our Patient’s Bubble Boobs

Suki was horrified by the effect of cosmetic surgery on her breasts…here’s her experience which was picked up be the media and her testimonial.

Throughout my teens, all my friends seemed to have bigger boobs than me. I’ll catch up eventually, I thought, looking at my modest 34B bust.

But my boobs never did get any bigger. By the sixth form, I was stuffing my bra with tissues and promising myself I’d boost my cup size with surgery when the time was right.

That time came sooner than I’d anticipated. When I was 19, a flat-chested colleague at my council job had her boobs done.

I’m getting my done too! I thought, admiring her amazing new curves. Why wait? Within weeks, I’d had consultations at two different clinics, both claiming they could take me up to a DD cup for £4,000.

I’d heard cosmetic surgery was cheaper abroad, so I emailed a Polish clinic, which swiftly responded. The woman was friendly.

She explained the price was £3,000- which included the operation, flights and a stay in a hotel. Then she phoned and emailed frequently. ‘If you want to go ahead, we need a deposit,’ she insisted.

My boyfriend Tom was hesitant. ‘Are you sure it’s the right thing?’ he asked. My gran Linda, who I lived with, advised against it. ‘You’ve got a decent bust already, love,’ she told me.

But I had my heart set on new boobs, plus this way I could keep the surgery a secret from friends. So I paid my deposit, and a few months later boarded a plane, Tom and Gran in tow.

At the clinic, I met the surgeon and felt reassured by the letters after her name. The day after the op, when the bandages were snipped off, my boobs were swollen and cone-like.

But I was happy with the size, and three nights later, we flew home.

But over the next few weeks, as the swelling settled, I became increasingly alarmed. There was a ridge through the lower half of each boob.

It looked as if I had four breasts! Panicking, I emailed pictures to the clinic, but they replied that nothing was wrong. I was distraught.

Gran said I should seek a second opinion. So I went back to the first clinic I’d been to, Linia Cosmetic Surgery in London. The surgeon explained I had a ‘double bubble.’

The implants had been placed under the muscle instead of over my breast tissue. The price to reposition them would be £5,000.

Waiting for the operation over the summer, I felt self-conscious shopping, refused to go topless on holiday in Turkey and pushed Tom away when he touched my chest.

But to any other readers considering surgery, I’d make sure you do your research before going abroad. For me, it’s been a tough journey and a very expensive lesson.

Thankfully, I’ve since had the corrective op and I’m proud of my new boobs. But to any other readers considering surgery, I’d make sure you do your research before going abroad. For me it’s been a tough journey and a very expensive lesson.

If you would like to book an appointment with one of our friendly, experienced surgeons with no obligation, please Contact Us today 

Posted In: Body Treatments Blogs

Written By: id_lijoy