Breast Augmentation, Does my Dropping Progression Seem Normal? (photo)

At 9 weeks post-op, you still have much scar maturation to occur, and some degree of further dropping is likely. But how much? and will it be "enough?"Thanks for including detailed photos: your second one tells me something that other have not commented on--there is significant peripheral bruising present on both breasts, indicative of some degree of bleeding (more than should be anticipated, IMHO). This blood can lead to increased capsular contracture (thick tough scar around your implants) that impedes implant dropping, and may in fact lead to an increased risk of capsular contracture.All the elastic bands and downward exercises in the world cannot remove a thick unyielding capsule, and your implants will be unable to drop much if this undesirably thick scar capsule acts as a (too high) supportive internal sling.Unfortunately, inframammary crease malposition is more common with transaxillary incisions, and yours is further complicated by the unfortunate bleeding that has contributed to your inability to drop as your surgeon and you anticipated. This will likely require revisionary surgery, but I would certainly wait a full 6 months to determine just how much and how long changes might still occur. I'm not optimistic and am sorry to have to tell you that. Keep in touch with your surgeon; this is nobody's "fault" since bleeding can occur in any number of settings for any number of reasons. Best wishes! Dr. Tholen

At 2months and 1 week you are about 55percent settled, shaped, softened, dropped and fluffed. "Drop and fluff" refers to the fact that as the skin stretches and the muscles relax, the implants move down and out slowly – about 1 percent a day. It’ll be about six weeks before they even begin to settle down, but they’ll be close to 80 percent settled and softened at three months. Watching their progress is like watching your hair grow. You don’t see a difference in your hair growth daily, but all of a sudden you need a haircut. Be patient after surgery. Give yourself a few months before making a judgment about your surgical results. You won't know the outcome until then. 
Dr. Ted Eisenberg, Board Certified Plastic Surgeon and Author           
RealSelf Distinguished Hall of Fame Inductee

Good afternoon!I am concerned that looking at your photos being two months postop that while your implants may continue to drop, i do not personally think they are going to drop enough to give you the look you are looking for.I would have a  frank discussion with your PS about this issue.I hope this helps  

The period of time immediately following breast augmentation surgery is characterized by rapid change. During this period, swelling, muscle spasm and the healing process all contribute to changes in the appearance of a woman's breasts.In some cases, swelling and muscle spasm can displace the breast implants in a superior direction when implants are placed beneath the muscle. In other cases, superior implant displacement may be due to inadequate dissection of the muscle insertions of the inferior portion of the breast pocket. This is far more likely when a trans-axillary breast augmentation approach is utilized.With time, assuming adequate pocket dissection, these implants might return to a more normal position. Sometimes, the use of a superior bandeau and massage may facilitate this process, but again this is less likely when a trans-axillary approach has been utilized. It may take 3 to 6 months for these implants to drop into a normal position.If no progress has occurred after six months, revisional surgery will be necessary. This would involve recreating the lower portions of the breast pocket through an infra-mammary approach.It's important to have good communication with your plastic surgeon. Make sure he is aware of your concerns. He is familiar with the specifics of your surgery and will be able to give you appropriate direction.

At 9 weeks, it's too early to judge, and implants haven't settled in fully.  You can use a superior band and downward massage with careful instruction. Give it at least 6 months.  I am concerned that 500 cc implants are a bit big for your chest wall and this is contributing to superior fullness. Time will tell. 

It takes about 4 months for implants to drop, so you still have a bit of time. You could try wearing a bandeau on the top of your breasts to help them along, but ask your surgeon about it first.

When implants are first inserted, they sit high up because your tissues are tight and gravity hasn't taken effect. Over time, natural tissue expansion occurs to allow the implants to fall into place. By this time, your breasts will have taken on a more natural contour, where the lower breasts become softer and rounder. Please wait at least four months for this to happen.

One thing that is consistant with implants inserted through the axilla is that they tend to ride high because of the incomplete release of the muscle, this may be true in this situation 

   Larger implants take longer to drop, particularly in smaller women.   Massage can help, but larger implants may take 3 to 6 months to drop to their final levels.  Kenneth Hughes, MD breast augmentation Los Angeles, CA

Hello,

Thank you for sharing great before/after photos showing a significant dropping of the implant over time.

Nonetheless, the 500cc is considered a big sized implants when factoring your physical traits into the equation.

Mother nature will continue to work its way and gravity will help the dropping of the implants into their "normal"position but it is unlikely that you will notice the same progress you have achieved over the past couple of months. If dropping is to take place, it will be subtle at this time.

Please do continue to follow your surgeon's instruction and keep on massaging the implants religiously but I do not advise you to use excessive pressure when doing so as forcing the implant downward without having a place to go may be risky.


I hope this helps and please feel free to check the website below.

Thank you for your inquiry and the best of luck to you.

Dr. Sajjadian