Ep 3. Bigger Isn't Breast

In the third episode of the fifth season of the popular reality show Botched titled "Bigger Isn't Breast," California-based plastic surgeons Dr. Paul Nassif and Dr. Terry Dubrow meet two women who faced different challenges with their breasts.

The first patient the doctors see is Brittani, who has had breast implants for over ten years. At the consultation, Brittani reveals that over the years, her breasts have stretched, and she now experiences excruciating pain. Her breasts droop and sag, and she has severe asymmetry - one breast is higher than the other. To compound matters, her right breast has a capsular contracture, which has left it firm and painful. The doctors inform Brittani that the best solution is to replace her existing implants with smaller ones and add an internal sling to help keep the new implants in place.

The second case is a transgender woman named Nicole. Like Brittani, Nicole has also had breast implants for over ten years, but unlike Brittani, Nicole wants larger breasts. Nicole's breasts have capsular contracture, and she also has significant asymmetry. The doctors advise her that her implant size is already at the maximum capacity of her chest, so they cannot make her breasts much larger without risking damaging her body. The surgeons also agree to replace her existing implants but recommend reducing the size to minimize future complications.

In typical Botched fashion, there's a surprise waiting for the doctors when they finally go into surgery. During Brittani's operation, the doctors discover that her old implants have caused significant damage to the surrounding tissue. There is a lot of loose skin, which means the doctors have to use all their expertise to remove the extra skin and cover her new, smaller implants. Despite this, the result is a marked improvement since Brittani's breasts have become more evenly sized, and her pain is significantly reduced.

In Nicole's surgery, the doctors face an even more challenging scenario. They can't reduce the size of her implants much more because of the existing space, so they turn to specialized plastic surgery techniques to ensure the new implants sit correctly and look natural. The surgeons use a "strattice," a specialized plastic surgery material, to create the internal sling and provide additional internal support to the implants. The result is that Nicole's breasts appear lifted and her asymmetry improves drastically.

Though all seems well, the real test is yet to come: recovery. Both Brittani and Nicole require an extended recovery time, with follow-up appointments to ensure their bodies have healed correctly. With both patients recovering from their respective surgeries, they show up to their post-op consultations feeling much happier about their new bodies. They feel more confident and ready to take on the world.

The episode ends on a high note, leaving viewers feeling satisfied with the results that the doctors were able to achieve for their patients. Like all episodes of Botched, "Bigger Isn't Breast" highlights the importance of careful consultation, expert treatment, and the positive impact that plastic surgery can have on a person's life.