La Jolla/ San Diego Cosmetic Surgeon Dr. Tom Pousti Talks about Symmastia Correction

One of the more common problems that patients are seeking Dr. Pousti's help for is symmastia. Symmastia - commonly referred to as "breadloafing" or "uni-boob", occurs when two implants touch one another in the center of the chest. If the horizontal muscle that is connected to the sternum and goes across the implant is cut during surgery, then the implant can move toward the middle of the chest. Symmastia results from overly aggressive attempts to alter chestwall anatomy trying to increase cleavage in patients. This outcome is made worse by use of larger implants in thin patients, and is a problem for implants over or under the muscle, though submuscular implant placement allows the muscle to provide some softening of the transition to the cleavage area from the augmented breast mound.

Since Dr. Pousti has experience with symmastia repair, many women from around the country choose to fly to La Jolla or San Diego to obtain his services. If you are not from the La Jolla, San Diego or Temecula/Murrieta Valley area, please visit Fly in for Surgery to learn more about our out-of-town accommodations and scheduling information.

If you live in La Jolla, San Diego or Temecula/Murrieta Valley and you would like more information or to schedule a consultation, please call our offices at (619) 466-8851, (858) 454-6888 or (951) 501-9822.

The Surgical Procedure

For correction of symmastia, the procedure can take from 2-3 hours depending on how much work is involved. Board Certified Plastic Surgeon, Dr. Pousti takes his time in the operating room to make sure that he does what he can to achieve the best result for the patient. The repair of symmastia requires additional surgery to move the implant back into the pocket of original placement. All sutures are internal - there are no new scars placed on the breasts.

• The tissue that encapsulates the implant is cut and rolled back to fit into the pocket.

• Tissue is sutured together to hold implant in place.

• The muscle is then sutured internally back in place, connecting the sternum.

• The incision is then sutured close.

During your consultation at our San Diego or Temecula/Murrieta offices and after a thorough examination, Dr. Pousti will discuss every detail of your breast augmentation, including the exact size and type of breast implants he will use and their relative advantages. This procedure to correct symmastia is performed on an outpatient basis at our surgical center in San Diego under general anesthesia.

What To Expect After Surgery

Bed rest, along with plenty of fluids, is necessary after surgery. Your chest will be sore. Pousti will prescribe appropriate pain management medications. Take your medication regularly and keep your office visits. Usually after a week, you will begin to feel back to normal.

A brassiere and bandeau will be fitted for you during your first week of recovery. These will need to be worn for a month. You will not be able to shower until your sutures are removed. Initially, breast implants will appear to be slightly higher than normal and your breasts will be swollen. Over time, the breast implants will descend to a more natural position.

The bra that is worn after symmastia repair is referred to as the "thong bra". It is used to stabilize the area after symmastia reconstruction. This will allow the sutured area between the breasts to heal properly without excessive pressure being applied to the area.

Resumption Of Physical Activities

Driving may be resumed in 1-2 weeks.
Non-contact sports in 3 weeks.
Contact sports and lifting heavy objects in 6 weeks.

Testimonial:
I lived with symmastia for 9 years and lots of discomfort and some pain through out the years. i had my first breast augmentation done in mexico. Through out the years I have been very unhappy with the look of my breast. I was embarrassed to wear a bikini or any low cut shirts. When I was doing some research on symmastia I came across with Dr. Pousti web site I became very excited to be able to find a Dr. that provide before and after pictures of symmastia I had always thought it was just me with this problem. when I went through the pictures I just wanted to cry of excitement because there is a Dr. that is able to fix that kind of problems. when I first talk to Dr. Pousti's staff over the phone they were very friendly. Since I live in Arizona they worked with me through the phone and emails. They where able to work out a date that was fitting for me for my consultation and pre-op appointment thats when I first meet Dr. Pousti and his staff. Daisy, Vanessa and staff really made me feel welcome and like we knew each other for many years it was great. When I meet Dr. Pousti he took a look at me and told me that he was able to fix my symmastia and would be very happy with the results.he reasured me that he was able to fix it that there wouldn't be a problem and that not to worry. That was the greatest feeling ever I felt lost of comfort and I was very sure that I had picked the correct Dr. for my problem.After my surgery Dr. Pousti and Staff was in contact with me to check how things was going.It made and makes me feel like I wasn't just A dollar bill to them they really do care.It's been one month since my surgey and everything is going great I am extremely satisfy with the results. I can't believe how much of a difference there is from before and after i honestly can't stay away from the mirrors it is just so amazing Dr. Pousti went all out he did a wonderful job I have been recommend him to everyone he is the right Dr. to go to I just wish that I knew about him alot sooner. I will always continue to recommend Dr. pousti to all my friends that are considering on getting any work done. He is a great Dr.. Thank you very much Dr. Pousti you are a wonderful doctor and you have a great staff!

Testimonial from a "fly in for surgery" patient:

¡ Hola ! Mi nombre es Maria Teresa ,tengo 3 hijos y mi esposo, vivo en Mexico me he operado el busto en 4 ocaciones.
La primera cuándo tenía 25 años, me extirparon las glándulas mamarias por tener nódulos, no fueron cancerosos el mismo día que me operaron me pusieron prótesis de 450 cc.
Con ésta prótesis duré 4 años, el busto era pequeño y me decidí aumentarme el busto a 500cc, ésa fué mi segunda operacion me la hice con el mismo cirujano en dónde yo vivo.
Quedé muy bien, me sentía segura conmigo misma, tuve éstas prótesis 10 años aproximadamente.
La tercera operacion me la hice pórque tuve un fuerte golpe en el pecho debido a un accidente, me hicieron pruebas de todo tipo y no tuve ningún problema, pasó el tiempo, y tuve un segundo accidente en una carrera a campo traviesa me cayeron encima de mí tumbandome y golpeandome el busto otra vez.
Psicologicamente uno piensa muchas cosas, entoces fuí a ver un cirujano en Europa, me enseñó las nuevas prótesis de gel cohesivo y me decidí a cambiarme las prótesis, aproveché para aumentarme a 550cc con gel cohesivo.

Pasaron 2 meses de ésa operacion y el busto se empezó a deformarse a verse cómo pecho de paloma, se juntaban las dos mamas, acostada se veían bien, pero parada se veían cómo una sóla bubi.
Le hablé al Dr. y le mandé unas fotos mías con el problema, me contesta que el problema que tengo es una symmastia.
Y que había que operar de nuevo.

¿Qué es una symmastia? es el rompimiento del músculo pectoral debido a diferentes causas, pero la más común es por error del médico.
Entonces fuí a ver un sinnúmero de cirujanos plásticos, y no me convencían, primera pregunta que les hacía.
¿ Tienen experiencia en éste tipo de problemas ? su respuesta era ! nó¡ el primer médico me dijo que tenía que ponerme unas protesis más pequeñas de 350 cc, y que no me aseguraba quedar bien, o sea que el Dr. ya se estaba lavando las manos por sí salía mal las cosas.
Segundo Dr. Cirujano Plastico le hice la misma pregunta, me contestó lo mismo pero su técnica era ponerme una malla en el busto, entrando por el pezón y suturando el músculo pectoral.
Esto no me agradó aparte que me dijo que me pondría mis mismas prótesis, o sea quitarmelas y después ponermelas.
Tercer cirujano plastico....le hice la misma pregunta y me contestó que tuvo un caso hace algunos años, pero no me enseñó fotos ni nada que me animara con él a operarme, el me dijo que una vez que entrara a la operación iba a ver cómo le hacía obviamente que no me convenció.
Fuí a ver otro cirujano y me sugirió ponerme unas grapas, para pegar el músculo pectoral no me convenció.

Volví a Europa con el Dr. que me operó, y me desilusionó pórque juraba y perjurabe que él había hecho bien la operación que yo fuí la causante, por no haberme cuidado. Es más se ofreció operarme sin que me costara la operación y los gastos de hospital, únicamente pagar el costo de las prótesis, que me pondría unas de 400 cc.
Para ésto tenía constantes dolores de cabeza y pecho todos los días así duré
1 año hasta que la Providencia Divina
me puso en contacto con mis ángeles el Dr. Tom Jesus Pousti y sus asistentes Vanessa y Daisy.
El Dr. Tom Jesus Pousti aparte de ser una gran persona y un gran ser humano es el mejor Dr. Cirujano Plastico en corregir la symmastia.
tiene infinidad de casos de éste tipo, ahora bien si corrige ......... que no hará sin corregir.... verdaderas obras de arte en el cuerpo de la mujer, un verdadero Medico muy profesional que sabe lo que dice y hace.
Le envié al Dr.Tom J. Pousti mis fotografías, me dió la cita, fuí a San Diego me examinó muy bien, me sugirió esperarme
3 meses para poder operarme, esperé los 3 meses, durante éste tiempo un mes antes de la cirugía estuve en constante comunucación con Daisy para ver tamaños, tipos de protesis, marcas inclusive para que me pusieran lo más cercano a cómo las tenía antes.
Claro yo quería unas más grandes, pero me conformarme con la medida de las que tenía 550cc, si no se podía unas de 500cc.
El Dr. Tom Pousti sabía lo que quería por éso.........

El Dr. Tom Pousti ya una vez que terminó la operación, y salí de la anestesia me informó que me puso prótesis de 600cc Yo estoy muy feliz, y créanme que nunca había estado más satisfecha cómo ahora. Es más me dice que si me quiero aumentar el busto en dos años más lo puedo hacer Llevo 3 meses y medio de la operación, pasado mañana tengo mi cita con el Dr. Pousti y es probable que me de de alta.

Ya espero poder ponerme mis blusas escotadas .

Yo recomiendo a todas las personas de cualquier parte del mundo que lean éste testimonial, que tengan problema de symmastia que no se dejen operar por médicos que prometen y lo único que hacen es dejarlas peor.
Opérense con el Dr. Tom Jesus Pousti, él tiene mis fotografías y está autorizado para enseñarlas.

Atentamente

Maria
Testimonial:

I had suffered from symmastia after I had my first breast augmentation done by a plastic surgeon in Florida. I was happy to learn that Dr. Pousti had experience with symmastia correction and was 100% certain that he was the one I wanted to fix my problem. Dr. Pousti has been great from the moment my husband and I met him. He has been very kind and he informed us in great detail about he procedure. Now, 5 weeks after my operation, I would not be any happier with the results. Not only is the symmastia corrected, but Dr. Pousti was also able to consider my wishes regarding the size and look of my breasts. Dr. Pousti is a great surgeon and I am convinced that everyone who suffers from symmastia cannot find a more qualified and experienced surgeon int he U.S. to correct this problem. I am very thankful to Dr. Pousti and his outstanding staff!!

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Click here to learn more about San Diego Cosmetic Surgeon, Dr. Tom Pousti. To schedule your free cosmetic surgery consultation in our San Diego office, call (619) 466-8851 or email appointments@pousti.com.