Are my implants too far apart? I fear them going into my armpit. (Photos)

Question

I had 325cc round, high profile, half under the muscle - half above. I'm 2 weeks post OP. My problem is-I feel like they're too far apart. The doc even said I have to massaged them from outward pushing my implant in. When I lay down,my arm bumps slightly into the implants. I fear they are too far apart or will go into my armpit. Do they need to settle later on in order for my breast to be able to be able to give better cleaverage?Should I wear my post OP bra in a way they're pushing them closer?

Donald R. Revis Jr, MD · Answer

Good morning!No I don't think so- you have a beautiful early result! However, if you were my patient I would have you in a nice supportive sports bra 24/7 to stabilize your implants.

Keith Hodge, MD · Answer

I think you have an excellent early post-op appearance.  You are still swollen and the tissues are tight. As your implants settle, the breasts will move and feel more natural. I think you will also have very good cleavage. I also have my patients massage to help the implants settle and to decrease tenderness. Good luck!

Ted Eisenberg, DO, FACOS, FAACS · Answer

At 2 weeks, you are about 10 percent settled, shaped, softened, dropped and fluffed. "Drop and fluff" refers to the fact that as the skin stretches and the muscles relax, the implants move down and out slowly – about 1 percent a day. It’ll be about six weeks before they even begin to settle down, but they’ll be close to 80 percent settled and softened at three months. Watching their progress is like watching your hair grow. You don’t see a difference in your hair growth daily, but all of a sudden you need a haircut. 
Be patient after surgery. Give yourself a few months before making a judgment about your surgical results. You won't know the outcome until then. 
Dr. Ted Eisenberg, Board Certified Plastic Surgeon and Author     RealSelf Distinguished Hall of Fame Inductee

Daniel Barrett, MD · Answer

Dear FallenXAngelX,
I understand your concern and it is quite normal to be concerned about the outcome following a breast augmentation surgery. However, you are still in the very early stages of the healing process.Your will need to be patient at this moment and follow what your surgeon has instructed you to do post operatively.At the early stage of the healing process, the tissues around the implants are still swollen. Once the swelling subsides and the implants drop to their final position, you will be able to see the final result of your breast augmentation surgery.
Daniel Barrett, MD
Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

Marta Wilczynska, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question. I must say you have a very good result. The shape is perfect for your body. When you lay down its normal for a woman to have some sort of gravity. Woman have the wrong prespective because they see these women in magazines and its all photo shopped. For the visual front they look fantastic for you and you should be very happy.

Mahmood Kara, MD - Account Suspended · Answer

Hello. 
Thank
you for your inquiry. Typically our tips for recovery following breast augmentation are to wear a supportive sports bra for 3 months post-operative and refrain from lifting anything heavier than 10 lbs for 3 weeks. Please keep the area of your stitches clean by cleansing with hydrogen peroxide daily.Don't worry too much as it generally takes around 6 months to a year to see your final results. It is still a bit early to determine. Your tissues will take time to relax and allow your implants to "Drop and Fluff" settling into place. 
Please
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John E. Nees, MD - Account Suspended · Answer

Hi and welcome to our forum!Congratulations on your recent surgery. The photos you providedappear to demonstrate an excellent early postoperative result. Is there a significant gap between the breasts when you are lying on your back? The process of breast healing after augmentation involvesremodeling of the soft tissues as the "drop and fluff" phenomenonoccurs over a period of 3 months or so. One breast may fall into positionfaster than the other. In addition you will still be experiencing significantswelling which may be the cause of early asymmetry and excessive fullness. 60-80% will resolve atthe 6th week with the remainder slowly abating over 6-12 months. It is stilltoo early to assess the operative result.I recommend that you continue followup with your surgeon,allowing more time to heal (usually 6 months or so). Bestwishes...

Marc J. Salzman, MD, FACS (retired) · Answer

We see this all the time with implants placed under the muscle. With the muscle in some degree of spasm postoperatively, the path of least resistance is for the implant to migrate up and outward towards the underarm. As this muscle relaxes, the implant will drop down and move inward narrowing your cleavage. Be patient and follow the instructions of your operating plastic surgeon. Congratulations on your surgery, from what I can see presently your result looks very good.

Are my implants too far apart? I fear them going into my armpit. (Photos)

Answers (8)