Is It Normal for Breast Implants Placed Under Muscle to Still Be Firm After 5 Months

Thank you for your question.  Implants placed under the muscle will typically soften nicely over the first 3-4 months.  This softening occurs once the muscle has stretched and relaxed and swelling has subsided, and is generally encouraged with daily breast massages.  Depending upon the size and type of implant placed, this softening may never resemble the soft nature of a natural breast.  Larger implants, especially large saline breast implants with little soft tissue coverage, tend to feel a little firmer than smaller, silicone gel implants do.  I would recommend following up with your operating board-certified plastic surgeon as you are complaining of firmness at the 5 month post-operative mark.  It is possible that it might take a little more time until your implants have fully settled and softened, but it would be important to rule out any capsular contracture formation and a physical exam is necessary to do so.  I hope you find this helpful.

Thank you for your question. Congrats on the surgery. It may take months for the breasts to soften, and they may never soften to the pre-surgical state. In addition, the greater the implant to breast tissue ratio, the more the implant will affect the longterm firmness (or softness) of the breast. Given the timeframe, I would revisit with your plastic surgeon to assess if this is normal firmness or whether there is a capsular contracture that is contributing to the firmness.

You are right to be concerned and should see your Plastic Surgeon. Typically Sub-muscular Breast Implants are firm for the first 3-4 months, firmer than Breast Implants placed under the breast gland.

However with massage and normal Chest Muscle activity the Breast Implants will soften significantly by 3-4 months.

See your doctor and ask if he/she is concerned about capsular contracture. Ask about breast implant displacement exercises