Gangnam Breast Augmentation | If you've been recommended breast surgery for pectus carinatum

Gangnam Breast Augmentation | If you've been recommended breast surgery for pectus carinatum

Hello, I'm Dr. Joowon Kim, the head director of Melon Plastic Surgery.

Pectus carinatum, or ‘pigeon chest,’ refers to a chest shape where the rib cage protrudes forward like a bird's chest. This can make the breasts appear small or wide-set, and many individuals feel self-conscious due to the poorly formed cleavage. However, most people are unaware they have pectus carinatum until they consult with a specialist.

This is because we don't observe our rib cage or breasts in the mirror as closely as we do our faces. Since the fundamental cause of pectus carinatum is the protruding structure of the rib cage, the approach to breast augmentation must be different.

Pectus Carinatum Breast Augmentation is Different from General Surgery

In cases of pectus carinatum, the breasts are often wide-set.

Due to this condition, it can be challenging to achieve deep cleavage. However, it is not impossible to create cleavage. Depending on the condition of the breasts, if the surgical journey—from consultation and design to surgical planning and post-operative care—is meticulous and precise between the patient, the clinic, and the surgeon, it is possible to achieve beautiful breasts with cleavage.

For pectus carinatum, it is crucial to precisely determine the placement and direction of the implants.

The implant insertion position must be decided considering the degree of rib cage protrusion and the desired size. In some cases, a surgical design that involves wider inner dissection may also be necessary. Careful consideration of physical conditions such as nipple position, chest asymmetry, and skin thickness in the design and surgical plan are also essential requirements for pectus carinatum surgery.

While the inherent structure of the rib cage cannot be changed, appropriate implant placement can beautifully balance the body and breast volume, leading to a different visual transformation.

Implant Selection for Pectus Carinatum: The Rib Cage Structure Must Be Considered.

Implant selection is also an important part of pectus carinatum correction surgery.

For example, if the rib cage protrudes, using a high-profile implant could make the breasts appear even more prominent, and the shape might look unnatural. There are also many cases where one side of the rib cage protrudes while the other does not. In such instances, implants of different heights and sizes may be used to match the breast shape and volume.

Thus, even with the same pectus carinatum, each person has a different structure. Therefore, to determine and select the right implant, it is necessary to thoroughly understand the structure of the pectus carinatum, including how much and where it protrudes, how the rib cage and breast pocket sizes differ, and whether there is asymmetry due to scoliosis.

Lean Physique + Pectus Carinatum: Complex Customized Surgery is Required

Among pectus carinatum cases, some individuals have a lean physique.

If the rib cage is already prominent due to a lean body, and the skin and tissue are also thin, the outline of the implant might be visible even after surgery, potentially resulting in an artificial look.

For such cases, the dual-plane surgical method, where the implant is placed under the muscle, can be effective. This is because a portion of the thick chest muscle covers the implant, making the implant's boundary smoother and the volume more naturally formed than when covered by skin tissue alone. While inner dissection is performed within an appropriate range to create cleavage, it is also important to control it to avoid being excessive.

Pectus Carinatum Correction Surgery: Who Can Benefit?

You might consider pectus carinatum breast augmentation in the following situations:

If your rib cage protrudes, making it difficult to form cleavage,

If your breasts appear wide-set even when wearing a bra,

If you have a lean physique and your breasts appear small or wide-set.

In the above cases, simply enlarging the breasts is not enough;

A customized surgery that considers both your body type and rib cage structure is necessary.

If you have any questions about pectus carinatum or need a consultation, please feel free to contact us anytime via the Kakao Channel below.

Thank you.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is pectus carinatum?

Pectus carinatum refers to a chest shape where the rib cage protrudes forward like a bird's chest. This can make the breasts appear small or wide-set, and many individuals feel self-conscious due to the poorly formed cleavage.

Can cleavage be created with pectus carinatum?

Yes, it is possible. While pectus carinatum often results in wide-set breasts, making cleavage formation challenging, it is possible to achieve beautiful breasts with cleavage through thorough consultation, design, and precise surgical planning, depending on the breast condition.

How is implant selection made for pectus carinatum breast augmentation?

In pectus carinatum correction surgery, implants are selected after a meticulous assessment of the rib cage structure. Factors such as the degree of rib cage protrusion and asymmetry are considered to avoid using high-profile implants or to match the shape and volume with implants of different heights and sizes.

What surgical method is effective for pectus carinatum in lean individuals?

For lean individuals with pectus carinatum, thin skin and tissue can cause the implant outline to be visible. In such cases, the dual-plane surgical method, where the implant is placed under the muscle, can be effective. The thick chest muscle helps cover the implant, contributing to a natural volume.

Who can benefit from pectus carinatum breast augmentation?

Individuals whose rib cage protrudes, making it difficult to form cleavage; those whose breasts appear wide-set even when wearing a bra; or those with a lean physique whose breasts appear small or wide-set can benefit. This requires customized surgery that considers both the body type and the rib cage structure.