Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Not All Maca Is Created Equal: A Review of Colors, Nutrition, Phytochemicals, and Clinical Uses.

Nutrients·2024
Same author

Reply to Pluta, R. Comment on "Minich et al. Is Melatonin the "Next Vitamin D"?: A Review of Emerging Science, Clinical Uses, Safety, and Dietary Supplements. <i>Nutrients</i> 2022, <i>14</i>, 3934".

Nutrients·2023
Same author

Is Melatonin the "Next Vitamin D"?: A Review of Emerging Science, Clinical Uses, Safety, and Dietary Supplements.

Nutrients·2022
Same author

Scientific validation of three-dimensional stereophotogrammetry compared to the IGAIS clinical scale for assessing wrinkles and scars after laser treatment.

Scientific reports·2021
Same author

Treatment of Scars with Laser-Assisted Delivery of Growth Factors and Vitamin C: A Comparative, Randomised, Double-blind, Early Clinical Trial.

Aesthetic plastic surgery·2021
Same author

Coherently tunable metalens tweezers for optofluidic particle routing.

Optics express·2020

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Mar 2, 2026

Endoscopic Bilateral Nipple-sparing Mastectomy via a Single Axillary Incision with Immediate Pre-pectoral Implant-based Breast Reconstruction
13:35

Endoscopic Bilateral Nipple-sparing Mastectomy via a Single Axillary Incision with Immediate Pre-pectoral Implant-based Breast Reconstruction

Published on: May 17, 2024

4.6K

The waterfall effect in breast augmentation.

James Frame1

  • 1Faculty of Medical Science, Anglia Ruskin University, Chelmsford, Essex, UK.

Gland Surgery
|May 13, 2017
PubMed
Summary

The waterfall effect, or sliding ptosis, is breast tissue drooping over implants, often occurring long-term after augmentation. Surgical correction may involve mastopexy augmentation, sometimes in two stages, to improve appearance.

Keywords:
Breast mastopexybreast implantsbreast parenchymabreast ptosispectoralis major musclepolyurethane breast implantssilicone

More Related Videos

Ultrasonographic Evaluation of Breast Cancer-related Lymphedema
05:44

Ultrasonographic Evaluation of Breast Cancer-related Lymphedema

Published on: January 12, 2017

10.7K
Modeling Breast Cancer in Human Breast Tissue using a Microphysiological System
10:51

Modeling Breast Cancer in Human Breast Tissue using a Microphysiological System

Published on: April 23, 2021

4.7K

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Mar 2, 2026

Endoscopic Bilateral Nipple-sparing Mastectomy via a Single Axillary Incision with Immediate Pre-pectoral Implant-based Breast Reconstruction
13:35

Endoscopic Bilateral Nipple-sparing Mastectomy via a Single Axillary Incision with Immediate Pre-pectoral Implant-based Breast Reconstruction

Published on: May 17, 2024

4.6K
Ultrasonographic Evaluation of Breast Cancer-related Lymphedema
05:44

Ultrasonographic Evaluation of Breast Cancer-related Lymphedema

Published on: January 12, 2017

10.7K
Modeling Breast Cancer in Human Breast Tissue using a Microphysiological System
10:51

Modeling Breast Cancer in Human Breast Tissue using a Microphysiological System

Published on: April 23, 2021

4.7K

Area of Science:

  • Plastic Surgery
  • Aesthetic Surgery

Background:

  • The 'waterfall effect' describes the sliding ptosis of breast parenchyma over implants.
  • This phenomenon is more common than anticipated, particularly in the long term post-augmentation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To detail the etiology, anatomy, and surgical correction of sliding ptosis over breast implants.
  • To aid surgeons in planning procedures and obtaining informed consent for breast augmentation complications.

Main Methods:

  • Review of the 'waterfall effect' phenomenon in breast augmentation.
  • Discussion of surgical techniques including mastopexy and autologous fat transfer.

Main Results:

  • Sliding ptosis is influenced by implant type and placement (e.g., high submuscular pockets).
  • Surgical correction often involves mastopexy with or without implant exchange, potentially requiring a two-stage approach.
  • Autologous fat transfer is an alternative for some patients.

Conclusions:

  • Understanding sliding ptosis is crucial for surgical planning and patient counseling.
  • Mastopexy augmentation can yield rewarding results but results in scars.
  • A staged approach may be necessary for optimal outcomes in complex cases.