Breast Reconstruction Q&A
88%
WORTH IT RATING
"Worth It Rating" shows the % of consumer reviewers that stated the procedure was "Worth It" or not. See more RealSelf Worth It Ratings or Add Your Review
91 Reviews
Breast Reconstructionbefore & after photos
View Before and Afters

Average Breast Reconstruction Cost: $8,900

Learn about Breast Reconstruction

487 people and 265 doctors are talking about Breast Reconstruction

Get Free Email Updates

How Long Does It Take Implants to Look "Normal" After Reconstruction Surgery?

asked 1 year ago by Jess830409 in Orlando FL
Latest answer by Fredrick A. Valauri, MD
Question viewed 1,252 times
Tags: age 25-34, 150-169 lbs, 5 ft 0 in to 5 ft 3 in, silicone implant, 650-699cc, mastectomy, normal

Hello, I am 27 years old - 5' 3" 155 lbs. Medium frame. I recently had a bilateral mastectomy and went thru the tissue expansion process and had the expanders filled to 600 cc's before implant surgery. I am one week post surgery and my silicone gel implants are 650 cc's. My question is how long does it take for the implants to settle or take the shape/look that they will ultimately be. I came out of surgery expecting bigger (at least a full C cup)- and what can I do to help recovery.

4 answers to How Long Does It Take Implants to Look "Normal" After Reconstruction Surgery?

+2

Recovery After Breast Reduction

With a breast reconstruction like yours, it may take anywhere between one and three months for the implants to settle or take the shape/look that they will always have. After tissue expanders are exchanged for implants, the soft tissues covering the implants will conform to the new implant shape rather than the previous expander shape. Sometimes there may be little change after surgery, but more often this process takes several weeks to be completed. If you were expanded to 600cc and 650cc... more
Max Polo, MD

Miami Plastic Surgeon
+1

Recovery after Silicone Implant Reconstruction of the Breast

It can take several weeks to months for an implant expander breast reconstruction to settle down and depending upon the quality of the skin envelope may vary considerably. Later scar capsule contractures can form around the breast implant causing them to be deformed or displaced. For these reasons, when appropriate, I prefer to used autologous tissue techniques for breast reconstruction where a soft, warm natural breast con be made using your own fat and skin tissues.... more
Fredrick A. Valauri, MD

New York Plastic Surgeon

www.drvalauri.com

+1

Breast shape

At one week post implant placement, you are very early and there is probably a lot of swelling. You need to give it six months or longer.
Steven Wallach, MD

Manhattan Plastic Surgeon
+1

Normal after Implant Recnstruction

Depending on the type of mastectomy you had, the skin envelope will play a large role in the final shape.  Skin and Nipple sparing mastectomies allow for a much more aesthetically pleasing result than traditional mastectomy.   It is also important to view breast reconstruction as a process and not a procedure.   It is not uncommon to require revision down the road to obtain the optimal shape and size.   I typically wait 6 months to determine the final position of the... more
Paul S. Gill, MD

Houston Plastic Surgeon

Ask a question