Why Does One of my Breast Implants Look Bigger?

Thank you for your question and for sharing your photos. During the post-operative period the breast are swollen, and the breast implants appear in a much higher position. Over time they descend and fills out the lower half of the breast. In addition, it is not uncommon for one breast to be more swollen than the other and may even out with time (unless they were asymmetric in size to begin with). It may take several months for this to happen and can be encouraged with breast massage and compression. It may appear that the breast enlarges as the lower aspect of the breast fills out (at the expense of the upper portion of the breast).

Thank you for your question. Your plastic surgeon will always be your best resource when it comes to an accurate assessment of your situation, advice, predictions, and/or meaningful reassurance.

Generally speaking, breast implants will "drop" into the pocket that was created during surgery and massaging the implants downward may assist in the dropping of the implants after surgery (for those patients who want to help with the settling of the implants). The rate of breast implant "settling" may depend on factors such as size of breast implant pocket dissected, tightness of the overlying skin/muscle layers, and size of breast implant utilized. Normally, it takes about 3-6 months (for some patients longer) to see the final result. It is very common for one side to settle faster than the other.

Sometimes, one or both breasts implants do not settle as planned and revisionary breast surgery becomes necessary to improve the outcome. On other occasions, if the long-term breast asymmetry is mild ( understanding that absolute symmetry is very rarely achieved), patients will need to decide whether proceeding with revisionary breast surgery is worth the potential downsides associated with additional surgery.

Again, best to follow your plastic surgeon for more specifics. Best wishes for an outcome that you will be pleased with long-term.

Breast
asymmetry in the immediate postoperative period is extremely common.This is usually related to soft tissue
swelling and fluid collections around the implant.This can create enough distortion to make the
breasts look uneven.In an effort to minimize this type
of problem, surgeons utilize postoperative compression.Usually, with time, swelling resolves and
most patients are happy.In patients who
start out with asymmetry, symmetry may not always be obtainable.This may be due to underlying chest wall
deformities, asymmetry of the nipple areola, or unilateral breast sag.In the majority of patients, as
swelling disappears, asymmetry also disappears. In a small percentage of patients, malposition
of the implants persists and secondary procedures may be necessary.Occasionally, the volume of the implant may
require adjustment, as well.When this situation arises, it’s
important to have good communication with your plastic surgeon.Remember, it’s normal to have anxiety
following surgery when things don’t seem to be going well.Your plastic surgeon has been there before
and will get you through the experience.