Techniques for Settling New Breast Implants?

I'm 4 weeks post breast augmentation surgery, and my surgeon wants me to sleep with a workout bra pulled up above my breasts to help push them down and drop more below my nipples. The first three weeks, I was in plastic bandages to keep them up. I had 300cc silocone under muscle, but was told that during surgery, my doctor decided to do lift because of my skin.

None of my friends have heard of this technique and their breasts settled in. Is this normal? My breasts do seem too high and my nipples too low. Are there other "techniques" for making the breasts settle the way my doctor wanted it?

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settling 1 month post-op

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21 Doctor Answers | Asked by giross in San Francisco, CA, USA

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Many techniques, but time will be your best friend

It's very common for implants placed under the muscle to seem too high early on after the augmentation-- this is due to anatomic reasons as well asthe swelling of the muscle that occurs during and after the procedure. We all have different ways to help implants settle into their final position, and in most cases it just takes time-- sometimes a few weeks, on rare occasion longer. My advice would be to relay your concerns to your surgeon, but listen to his advice--chances are you will have a... more

Techniques to Help Implants "Settle"

There are different techniques that surgeons use with their patients, including: wearing an elastic garment that pushes down on the upper pole of the breast (Ace Wrap, specially designed bra, specially designed elastic strap, or what your doctor has recommended manipulation or downward massage sleeping prone(on your belly and chest) These are all different ways to apply downward pressure on the implant to get the skin and muscle of the lower pole of the breast... more

Sounds like an inexperienced surgeon

Making a decision intraoperatively to do a lift is unusual. It should be clear to an experienced plastic surgeon preop when a lift will be required. Having your implants low and then high is also strange. Basically, you will settle over 6 months and know what your final result will be. Alternatives at that time include several options if the result doesn't meet your satisfaction. If at that time, if the breast looks low on the implant and the implant isn't sitting too high on the chest... more

Post-operative breast implant displacement exercises

SEE VIDEO BELOW BY CLICKING "MORE": The use of post operative breast implant displacement exercises is controversial and not recommended by all practitioners. First discuss this with your plastic surgeon prior to embarking on this regimen see video

Otto Joseph Placik, MD

33 reviews

Chicago Plastic Surgeon

Settling Breast Implants

Thanks for your question - There are specific bandages and dressings that can be supplied by your surgeon to help put downward pressure on your breasts. Massage may also help. In all likelihood the most important factor is time. As swelling comes down and gravity does it work the position of your implants will improve. Usually by 3-6 months the breast implants have found the correct position. I hope this helps.

6 months to settle

Giross, Your description of the decision to perform a "lift" sounds dubious unless you had this conversation with the surgeon preoperatively. Implants will descend with time and may take 6 months to reach their final destination. Wearing a tight garment over the top part of the breasts may speed the process of implant settling. I use a breast band on my patients that need this intervention. It can be worn night and day and may be more comfortable than pulling a sports bra up. ... more

That is a normal technique for pushing the implants down

Giross, A few issues... I hope that the doctor explained to you about the lift BEFORE your surgery. Many times there is a possibility of having to do a lift, but you should be well aware of this before your surgery. As for your implants settling, it is common to wear a special bra or strap to help push the implants into place if they are riding high. It is curious that initially you were told to push them up and now you are told to push them down. However, your doctor may just be trying... more

Compression devices are an accepted technique for helping breast implants drop

Giross, it is common practice to use a compression device to encourage breast implants to fall or be pushed lower after breast augmentation. A common wrap called an "upper pole wrap" is commonly used, but your bra will work. Downward massage can also help. The description of the position of your breast implant sounds as though you may have needed a breast lift to put the nipple in a normal position. When breast augmentation is done without a lift in this situation, the implant... more

After 4 weeks, breast implants will not come down

To giross, Hi. Now, of course, I don't know exactly what you look like, and you are not going to like my opinion. But, if your nipples are too low and the implants are too high, there is nothing that will correct this other than another operation. Unfortunately, this is not rare, because the muscle attachments are naturally HIGHER than the natural fold under the breasts. The lower ends of the pectoral muscles need to divided. This lowers the implant pockets, and allows the implants to come... more

"Settling" breast implants after surgery

It sounds like you have high riding implants which can sometimes be repositioned in the early post op. period by the use of a bandage or special garments. However, a consultation would be necessary to ascertain the surgical realities and alternatives