Background: Placing implants to increase breast size is the most common surgical method of breast enhancement. The most common non-surgical method of breast enhancement are tattoos. When it comes to breast tattoos, there is an endless variety of patterns, sizes and colors. From words to images to some incredible artistic patterns, breast tattoos are as individual as the patient themselves. While most breast tattoos are fairly small, some of very large and can even cover the entire breast mound.
As breast implants enlarge the breast mound some enlargement of the existing tattoos is likely to occur. The closer it is to the center of the breast mound the more the tattoo will increase in size. But rarely does it ever distort the tattoo that it is not longer appealing.
Case Study: This 35 year female came in for breast augmentation. Across her sternum on the lower half was large inverted moth tattoo. The lower body of the moth;’s wings were on the inner lower portion of the small breast mound.
Under general anesthesia 450cc high profile smooth round silicone gel breast implants were placed through inframammary incisions. The implants enlarged the breast mounds to the desired size and gave the back wings of the moth tattoo a ‘lift’ as well,
There are no contraindications to getting breast implants with any form of a tattoo on the breast mounds. The tattoo may change slightly with a modest increase in its size as would be expected.
Highlights:
- Some women that present for breast augmentation have a multitude of tattoo sizes and patterns in their breast mounds.
- The incisions to insert breast implants rarely disturb breast mound tattoos.
3) Some tattoos may increase in size some what as the breast mounds get larger due to the placement of breast implants.
Dr. Barry Eppley
Indianapolis, Indiana