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Right Breast Implant Sits Higher Than the Other

asked 3 years ago by Mrs. Pearls in Mesquite, TX, United States
Latest answer by Raffy Karamanoukian, MD
Question viewed 3,759 times
Tags: asymmetry, 3 weeks post-op, wrap

I recently had breast augmentation with an internal lift three weeks ago. My right breast implant sits a little higher and I have loose skin around the inner part of the breast. My doctor told me to wrap my breast in bandages and stated that the implant should drop within 6 - 8weeks. Is this a normal post op problem? Will the bandages work and make the implant "drop" on its own, or is revisional surgery the only way to get this fixed?

14 answers to Right Breast Implant Sits Higher Than the Other

Asymmetry Soon After Surgery

It is the norm to see differences between the breasts in the first few weeks after surgery. Manipulation of the implants can be helpful, but should be done only if specifically recommended by your plastic surgeon. Be patient and communicate your concerns with your surgeon.

Paul C. Zwiebel, MD
Denver Plastic Surgeon

www.pzwiebel.com

Breast implants descend within first few months

Thanks for your question. It is still very early in your post-op course. Breast implants usually descend in the first few months. There is signficant debate about whether dressings (bandages and the like) or massage will actually facilitate repositioning implants. Certainly, implants will descend somewhat on their own. Either way, massage and bandages will certainly not hurt, but your best friend will be additional time. Be sure to discuss your concerns with your plastic surgeon. I hope... more

Steven H. Williams, MD
San Francisco Plastic Surgeon

Patience is your ally

I would recommend waitng at least 6 months to give your implant a chance to drop and settle into its final position. At this point, if your implant has not settled into a position you can live with, you may require a surgical revison to help place the implant in a lower position in your breast. Keep in mind, all women have some degree of breast asymmetry prior to and after surgery. The question is how much asymmetry can be corrected based on your anatomy and how much is acceptable... more

David A. Robinson, MD
Munster Plastic Surgeon

Too soon to tell

What you are describing is not as uncommon as we would like. The body is inherently asymmetric to start with. The implant on your dominant hand side can sometimes be pulled up by the pectoralis muscle. Capsular contracture can move and implant and even how you wore bras postop can cause asymmetry. Whether it will resolve spontaneously, with massage and straps above the breast will remain to be seen. There is a chance so don't do anything for at least 4 months. If it is still there, it... more

Richard P. Rand, MD, FACS
Seattle Plastic Surgeon

Breast bandages don't do much.

Hi! Don't even consider a revision for 6 months. Your breasts may change, but not because of the bandages. Even the best surgeons get breast asymmetry occasionally. I have the feeling that eventually your choices are going to be to accept some asymmetry or to have a revision.

George J. Beraka, MD
Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Time is your ally

In general, implants will drop rather than elevate over time assuming they stay soft ,so be patient, especially after only three weeks. Whether or not they will drop enough or fill out the medial laxity of the skin is dependent on your individual situation and anatomy but it is too soon to judge the results of your surgery.

Robin T.W. Yuan, MD
Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon

Breast implant asymmetry

You should trust the advice of your surgeon as he is aware of the technical elements of your surgery. Give it time and the implants will resume their final position. If there is still asymmetry, discuss your concerns again in 6 months.

Raffy Karamanoukian, MD
Los Angeles Plastic Surgeon

Implant asymmetry is common right after surgery--give it time.

Massage, wrapping, and gentle stretching exercises can all be used to coax an implant into the right position after surgery. Your surgeon will tell you what he/she wants you to do to get the best result possible. Implants can remain asymmetric for months after surgery, so give it some time. 3 weeks is very early.

Carmen Kavali, MD
Atlanta Plastic Surgeon

Early position problems with breast implants

You describe issues with your right sided implant being higher than the left 3 weeks after surgery. It is important to note that you are very early in the recovery process. When performing internal lifts with implants, over-correction is the norm. This is because the breast will change in shape as it heals. You trusted your plastic surgeon enough to have surgery, please trust them with the postoperative care as well. It can be a bit distressing for patients when the... more

David Bogue, MD
Boca Raton Plastic Surgeon

www.drbogue.com

Breast asymmetry is common early after breast augmentation but evens out with time.

It is much to early to pronounce another operation required to establish symmetry of your breasts. Slight asymmetry is the rule after breast surgery which usually changes over time. This may take several months so be patient.

Vincent N. Zubowicz, MD
Atlanta Plastic Surgeon

Different breast positions after implant surgery

After a breast lift with implants patients should anticipate a recovery process that may include a great till swelling or asymmetry between their breasts in the early healing process. At three weeks, it is possible that the different position of your breasts may be deemed to uneven swelling between your breasts. Be sure that you inform your plastic surgeon of your concerns as they will want to examine you to make sure that the difference you notice is from swelling and not from a... more

B. Pat Pazmino, MD
Miami Plastic Surgeon

Final Results

Although breast augmentation is one surgery, the healing process will be two seperate ones. One breast may settle faster than they other, one may have more bruising and swelling than the other. Point is, it is much too early to determine how things will look. Usually, final results are seen around 4-6 months and could even take up to one year. If you have any issues or concerns, consult with your plastic surgeon to address them for you, since they are the ones who know what was done... more

Tom J. Pousti, MD
San Diego Plastic Surgeon

Implant dropping

As long as the breast implants are smooth walled, there is a chance that they will drop. You will see changes for many months, so be patient.

Steven Wallach, MD
Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Breast implants do settle in after augmentation

Breast augmentation is not a single operation and from your question I can't tell exactly how your procedure was done. Breast augmentation can be completed with an implant placed under the muscle, or just under the gland of the breast. The mention of a internal lift suggests that you had a form of a breast lift or mastopexy as well. In the case of a submuscular implant we place patients into a postaugmentation bra which holds the breast firmly, though has a soft cup, and hold the implant... more