How Soon After Surgery Does the Pocket Close Not Allowing an Implant to Drop?

Question

I'm currently 5 weeks post op, my doctor does not want me massaging my breasts yet due to the fact that my incisions in my breast crease are still not fully healed. I had a full breast lift / anchor lift with implants. My left breast has dropped and fluffed already however my right is taking much longer. I just don't want to end up with "hard" looking breasts or one that will not drop. How long before the pocket closes? When should I be concerned?

Vincent N. Zubowicz, MD · Answer

Breast implants after breast augmentation do not move. Swelling in the soft tissues around the implant artificially supports volume similar to bra. As the swelling goes down the implants don't move but the volume of the implant is redistributed in a more natural fashion. This may take three months.

Kenneth Hughes, MD · Answer

I would continue to follow your surgeon's instructions as there is a risk to vigorous massage causing suture line compromise at the inferior aspect.  Kenneth Hughes, MD Los Angeles, CA

Jourdan Gottlieb, MD · Answer

As the implants settle, they don't actually move. Submuscular implants are sitting as if they are at the bottom of an envelope. The breast fold, like the bottom of the envelope keep the implants from descending. At the upper pole is a large space under the muscle and above the ribs, and that space goes up to the clavicle (collar bone). Typically the implant position looks fine at surgery. As the patient awakens, the relaxed pectoralis muscle contracts, pushing on the implant. This displaces the silicone (or saline) which bulges into the upper pole, the only direction with room to expand. The lower pole of the breast may seem to empty out. But the implant itself doesn't actually move. As the muscle relaxes over several months, the upper pole no longer bulges , the lower pole of the breast fills out, and the implant position looks like it did in surgery.

	Best advice is to follow your own surgeons instructions. No one on line knows you, knows what was done, nor has followed your progress. 

	All the best.

Steven Wallach, MD · Answer

I would follow your surgeon's instructions and check with him about massaging, activity, garments/bands, etc..

How Soon After Surgery Does the Pocket Close Not Allowing an Implant to Drop?

Answers (4)

Answer: Implants and position

Answer: Implants and position

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Everything you need to know about Breast Augmentation

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How Soon After Surgery Does the Pocket Close Not Allowing an Implant to Drop?

Answers (4)

Answer: Implants and position

Answer: Implants and position

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Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Breast Augmentation

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.