Detrimental to Wait After 3 Months for Breast Pocket Revision?

I had a Breast Augmentation on 2/13/09. My right breast implant will not drop. I've been massaging 4 times daily, wearing the strap (was advised to wear until my 3-month mark), and taking vitamin E. My surgeon has asked me not to see him until I am at the 3-month mark, stating that there's no problem going on with my breasts. I can see that the right breast's incision scar is lower than the left as far as where my crease is. I can also see that the pocket "squares out" on the bottom of the right breast. Is there a danger in waiting for 3 months before considering revision?

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asymmetry wait time

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13 Doctor Answers | Asked by kiltcrazy in Seattle, WA

Doctor Answers (13)
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Time is on Your Side!

It is better to wait about 3 months, as advised by your surgeon. This is quite commonplace, and we typically see the correction occur with time and without surgery!

Breast Asymmetry after Breast Augmentation

Thank you for the question and picture. I'm sure you're case will be instructive to other patients as well. Implants tend to “settle” asymmetrically and may continue to do so for up to one year after surgery. I would suggest continued follow-up with your plastic surgeon as you have planned. Use massage of the breasts if so instructed. I hope this helps.

Time Frame for breast aug revision

I wouldn't be in rush. It is quite possible that your right implant will drop on its own. Sometimes one side drops more quickly than the other. I would advise waiting at least 6 months before considering a revision. If at the 6 month point it seems to be slowly improving, then consider waiting a full year.

Laurence Weider, MD

48 reviews

Dallas Plastic Surgeon

Implant revision

I have to concur with everybody on this post. If enough of us say it you will believe it:-) Time is on your side. Keep massaging to manipulate that breast capsule and see if it doesn't drop. A revision may be in your future but it is way too early to jump to that conclusion. When the implant is down it should help round things out. Good luck!

Way too soon

Three months is way too soon - so please stoop worrying-between 6 mos-to one year is when issues usually declare themselves. At that point I would consult with your physician and make a plan if revision or not is necessary

Wait on revision

Be patient for at least six months. It is not unusual for the implants to achieve a more natural position at around this time, sometimes even later. At a year, if you are still unhappy and your physician agrees that the implant position is high, that would be a good point for a small revision. Remember, that no two breasts will ever be perfectly symmetric.

Revising too soon

One post said you are focusing too much on your breasts and I'd have to agree. 3 mos is way too soon to make any decisions about revisions at this point. Your body needs time to form the capsule in order to allow the surgeon to have something to revise later. Time is what is prudent at this point. Try to be patient. Your doctor will take care of you.

Breast Revision-Patience is a Virtue

You must be patient. Your breast are taking shape and this will change for a minimum of 6 months. You state that your right side is slightly higher. If you are right handed the muscle on that side, the pectoral major, is usually more developed and slightly more full. I think your doc has done a very nice job a steering in the right direction. good luck

Breast implants and changes with time

It is always better to wait a few months to see how things relax as the swelling comes down. 4-6 months times is reasonable.

Steven Wallach, MD

12 reviews

Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

It is better to wait fo breast pocket revision

From your pictures I can see the one side being a little higher but it is not severe at this point. It is amazing how much settling will take place naturally during the first 6 months after surgery. I would encourage you to wait even more than 3 months and more like 6 months before any decision about revision.

Differences and revision of breast augmentation

Hello, You look pretty good to me. I don't see a failure to drop here. Too bad we can't see a pre-operative image. Don't stampede toward revision without something pretty visible to fix.

Don't go kiltcrazy

Hello again Kiltcrazy, You are obsessing about your right breast. Your breasts look great! And, from my recollection of the previous pix that you posted shortly after surgery, the right implant is indeed dropping. Let gravity takes its course. I counsel my patients to wait a full 6 months for the implants to descend. Research on a condition known as post surgical dissatisfaction syndrome might shed some light on your current level of distress. Good luck!

Wait at least 3 months, preferably 6 before breast implant revision

You will benefit from waiting. The implants will continue to drop for 3-4 months. Having revisional surgery before that time period is not recommended. I would guess that with continued massage and time the right breast will drop and you will be happy.