Will Breasts Look Larger As Breast Implants Drop?

It’s not uncommon for patients to express concern about breast size in the immediate post-operative period.  Multiple factors make it impossible to assess breast size four days after surgery.  This is even more so when breast lift and augmentation are performed in combination.
Several factors affect the size of breasts in the immediate post-operative period.  These include swelling of the breast tissue, swelling of the surrounding tissue, settling of the breast implants and muscle spasm.  For several months following surgery each of these phenomena is undergoing significant change.  These factors interact in a complex manner to create a rapidly evolving situation.  It’s virtually impossible to make decisions about breast size until the situation has stabilized.
In some cases, it may not have been possible to place a larger implant at the time of the original procedure.  During surgical procedures it’s not uncommon for surgeons to make compromises to obtain the best possible aesthetic result.  In some cases, utilizing larger breast implants may cause conflicts with other aesthetic goals.  For instance having larger breast might create and unnatural look which may not be desired by the patient.  It may disrupt harmony, balance, and proportion with other surrounding structures.
It might also affect patient safety.  When breast lift and augmentation are performed together, a larger breast implant might compromise blood supply to the nipple areola complex.  All of these concerns might place limits on implant size with this procedure.
In most cases, resolution of post-operative swelling results in a decrease in apparent breast size.  Occasionally resolution of swelling in the surrounding tissues results in greater definition of the breast and the perception that they’ve increased in size.  The vast majority of patients are happy with their breast size after a brief period of adjustment.  Rarely secondary procedures are necessary for size.

Hello!; Breast Implants and their interaction with the skin and muscle tend to change over time.  This leads to a softening of the skin , allowing the implants to lower. This can change their original view from full to elongated. But not much.  Hope this helps!Dr J 

It's a great question. As your implants settle the implant volume will shift from the top to the bottom of your breasts. Having more volume at the bottom of your breasts gives you a more natural look and will make your breasts appear larger and slightly closer together. Waiting for implants to settle fully can be frustrating, but make sure you continue to follow your surgeon's instructions carefully. Congratulations on your procedure!

Breast implants can definitely make the breasts look larger as they "drop and fluff' which basically means the skin relaxes and allows the implants to settle. 

Thanks for your question.Generally, the implant will look smaller as the implant drops and swelling subsides.  You may need a larger size, but please wait a sufficient amount of time to decide on this.  Ideally you would wait 3-4 months before making a final determination on changing the size of your breasts.Aloha,Shim Ching, MD

Thanks for the great question. It is hard to say without photos or an exam but 450cc's after a lift is pretty aggressive.  I don't think going any bigger would be a better option.  If your breast were prone to sag without implants they are only more likely to do so again with large heavy implants exerting pressure on your breast.  Also size and preference changes depending on how old you are.  I find that my younger patients are typically looking for larger breasts while women in their 40's are not trying to look too big.  So it is important to keep this in mind when choosing your implants.  I feel tat the goal is something you are going to be happy with for a long time, not just the next few years.I hope this helps :)

Breasts do change shape and size over time and very often immediately after surgery breasts can look somewhat smaller.  As the soft tissues relax, the breasts can take on a fuller rounder appearance. My advice in your situation would be to give your breasts time to settle, watch, and see how they progress. There is always a balance between size and shape and longevity. Implants that are too large can cause recurrence of drooping faster and have other issues as well. 450 cc is a fairly large implant although this of course depends on the size of the patient. Ultimately, I would expect that you and your surgeon made a good choice if you had significant discussions about size and shape preoperatively and most likely your breasts will take on a nicer fuller rounder appearance as time goes on.

Only four days out, it is very hard to say anything about the final outcome. Breast implants tend to start dropping into place after 3 to 4 weeks. They usually will get to their final position in 6 to 12 months. One will drop faster than the other, also the shape may go through changes. Please follow your Board Certified Plastic Surgeon's post op instructions. For example; we like message, but some surgeons will have you wait, or do it in a specific manner. Please also let them know your thoughts and concerns.

There will be a period of "settling" as your tissues stretch to accommodate the implants. This usually occurs over the first few months. It is very normal for the implants to descend or "drop"; the extent of this change depends on many factors including the elasticity of your tissues, the size of the implant and the surgical technique.It is not at all uncommon to have some minor regrets over breast size after breast implant surgery but despite this, most women are happy with their result and 4 days post op is definitely too early to make any decisions! Enjoy your results!!  

Breast shape and breast size does change as the implant settles into the breast pocket.  Over the course of the next few weeks and months, you should see an increase in lower pole fullness giving the illusion of a larger bust due to implant settling.  You are still very early in the healing process, so I would caution a patient this early after surgery from worrying about their final cup size this soon.  I would recommend discussing your concerns with your operating surgeon at a follow up appointment but wait to evaluate the choice of implant size until everything has settled roughly 3-4 months from now. 

Thank you for submitting your question and
photo. You are very early in your recovery from breast augmentation
surgery. Your
implants will soften and your breasts will change over the next several
weeks. Yes, your breasts will look larger as the implants "settle" lower on the chest wall.  Final results take 6 months.  Discuss your concerns with your surgeon.
Best wishes.