Will my Implants Appear Smaller Once Swelling Reduces?

asked 11 months ago by sunshine42 in Laguna Niguel, CA
Latest answer by Jaime Perez MD
Question viewed 1,632 times
Tags: 110-129 lbs, 5 ft 4 in to 5 ft 7 in, silicone implant, under muscle, 450-499cc, drop, reduction, swelling

I just got 450cc silicone breast implants under the muscle. It's only been one week since my surgery but they look HUGE.

I'm 5'6, 125 lbs. Now that I have them and they are enormous I'm afraid that maybe I went with too large of an implant. I know that they should appear smaller once the swelling has gone down and once they drop but how much smaller can they actually get?

If it's not a dramatic difference then I'm afraid that I went too large. Please tell me they will go way down. Pic attached.

10 answers to Will my Implants Appear Smaller Once Swelling Reduces?

Breast Implants Too Large?

It is very common for patients immediately following a breast augmentation to be concerned about their breast size and shape. Breast augmentation usually produces a fairly large change in body shape and takes a while for patients to become comfortable with their new body. At one week postop, you still have a significant amount of swelling. With time, the overlying muscle and skin will stretch, producing a much more natural, soft, and attractive look. Additionally, it... more

Jaime Perez MD
Tampa Plastic Surgeon

www.jaimeperezmd.com

Breast Size after Breast Augmentation?

Thank you for the question. At your stage recovery is very common for patients to be concerned about their results (being too big or too small). Often after a period of 3 to 6 months those same patients are quite pleased with the results of their surgery. For patients planning on breast augmentation surgery...it is very important to communicate your size goals with your surgeon. In my practice, the use of photographs of “goal” pictures (and breasts that are... more

Tom J. Pousti, MD
San Diego Plastic Surgeon

Buyer's remorse?

Sunshine42: Please be patient, follow your PS's post-op protocol and realize that once the overlying breast flap (skin & tissue) + muscle relax, your result will be softer, mobile and prettier. I usually forecast approximately 7-10% shrinkage, but remember that silicone gels require slightly longer than saline implants to settle. Your photo shows implants, which fill your chest, provide a soft round "cleavage" and do not protrude excessively off your rib cage... more

Lavinia Chong, MD
Orange County Plastic Surgeon

Huge Implants

Without before and after pictures, it is hard to give specific advice. However, you are immediately post op and you should expect to see changes over the next few months. As the tissues settle and the swelling resolves and you get used to your implants, you may find that they are a good size. If not, you should wait several months before considering any type of revision surgery. Good Luck.

David Shafer, MD
New York Plastic Surgeon

They will be fine

You just had surgery and there is a lot swelling. You need to give it time for the swelling to resolve and it may take up to three months to see the final result.

Kamran Khoobehi, MD
New Orleans Plastic Surgeon

Breast Implants Will Look Smaller Over Time

Dear sunshine42- Your breast implants will look smaller over time. You just had surgery 1 week ago, so it will take several weeks for most of the swelling and healing to occur. It takes about 6-12 months for all of the healing to occur and for all of your breast tissue, skin, and muscle to have settled down. I would recommend talking to your plastic surgeon about things you can do to reduce swelling, such as chest elevation, ice, homeopathic medications, and... more

Roy Kim, MD
San Francisco Plastic Surgeon

Implants too large

Even though 450cc implants are large, you have a component of swelling in the early post op period which is contributing to the appearance. The implants also will appear somewhat smaller as the muscle relaxes and they drop a little. That can take a few months to complete. Massage can help with this. Donald R. Nunn MD Atlanta Plastic Surgeon.

Donald Nunn, MD, DDS
Atlanta Plastic Surgeon

Breast implants take a few months to settle into position

Dear sunshine42, Be patient. Swelling and high-riding implants are common in the initial postoperative period after breast augmentation Your breasts will usually appear noticeably smaller once the swelling resolves and the implants settle into position. The swelling should be mostly resolved after a few weeks, but the implants will take 3-6 months to settle into position. Warmest wishes, Larry Fan, MD

Larry Fan, MD
San Francisco Plastic Surgeon

Breast implants

Hello, How are you? You have a very good, common question. There is definitely alot of swelling in the breasts right after surgery. Honestly, it can take about 6 months for all your swelling to go down. The majority of swelling reduces in the first month following surgery. Your implants will drop and settle into the pockets and they will become much softer looking and to the touch.With your height and weight this seems like you went with a good size for your body. Sometimes patients at... more

Stefan Mark Szczerba, MD
Chicago Plastic Surgeon

Need to wait at least a month. May need to have them replaced.

Are they saline or silicone gel? If they are saline, you need to know the final fill volume. Was that 450 cc? Saline implants are routinely filled over the amount printed on the implant. You do look large, even for 450 cc implants, although I don't know what size you were to start with. Regardless, you need to wait a month, minimum. The implants will settle and not look as big. It takes about a month for the swelling to do down. Frequently I... more