Techniques for Settling New Breast Implants?

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 great result, but it will take some patience and time.
Dr. S

Hi giross, This story took a lot of turns!!! First, DURING your surgery, the surgeon suddenly decided you needed a breast lift and performed this procedure? And this wasn't discussed with you beforehand? Then post surgery for 3 weeks you were wrapped in plastic to push the implants down? Now you've been instructed to wear a sports bra to push the implants up? And since surgery your nipples are low on your breasts? So many questions here. Much like your friends, I have also never heard of this! I would request a follow up to meet with your surgeon and address a few things: First, why would he not advise you pre-operatively a breast lift was needed to ensure a positive position of your areola/nipple? Second, how does he think moving the implant about in any way is going to change the position now? Third, set up a second opinion with another surgeon and get another set of eyes on this situation. Make sure the physician you're seeing is a board certified plastic surgeon with experience in breast lift and augmentation surgeries. I would be very curious to hear their take!

To facilitate the settling of sub-pectoral breast implants, it is very common to have patients wear a light weight compression sports bra with an elastic breast band and to have patients perform breast massages.  The elastic band that rests on top of the implants on your chest will help, in the same way your surgeon is having you wear your sports bra when you sleep, to gently push down on the upper pole of the breast and facilitate the settling process.  Breast or implant displacement massages will also help in expanding the breast pocket by stretching the lower pole of the muscle so that the sub-pectoral breast pocket can now comfortably accommodate your new implants.  It is possible that either your implants have pretty much settled into place and you may require a revisional breast lift, or that your implants just need a little more time to fully settle since this process can take 3-4 months to be complete.  I would highly recommend discussing your concerns with your operating surgeon.  Good luck!