Will my breast implant drop more? (Photos)

Question

I am 7 weeks post op breast aug. I had silicone memory gel unders. 600cc on right and 550cc on left. As you can see, I had assymetry before and I know I always will. I breastfed 2 babies and the left was main supply. The left side has dropped well and the right still seems tight but does move. I know the right side was less saggy and has a bigger implant. My question is will it drop more and look more natural with time as the skin stretches out and the muscle relaxes? I massage 2 times per day. Thanks!

Ted Eisenberg, DO, FACOS, FAACS · Answer

At 7 weeks you are about 30 percent settled and softened. "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 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

Lawrence Iteld, MD · Answer

Most patients notice a significant "dropping" of the implants in the first week or two after surgery and then things continue to improve for months as the tissues relax and accommodate the new implants. Sometimes one side settles faster than the other- be patient. IF you still have unevenness after 3-4 months, please discuss with your surgeon.

Deborah Sillins, MD · Answer

it takes 4-6 months for the implants to settle and the swelling to subside. you started with some asymmetry and that will not change.

David R. Alfonso, MD, FACS · Answer

Everything looks good for early post op. Implants can settle a bit over time and become more even

Ram Kalus, MD, FACS · Answer

Based on your photos alone (which is by definition more limited than a physical examination in person), pre-operatively your right breast (left in the image) appears larger than your left. Based on what you report, the right breast has a larger implant than your left. This is the opposite of what I would have expected. Hopefully we are not getting confused with our rights and lefts, but to my eye, your right breast (left in the image) appears larger and fuller, especially in the upper pole. You and your plastic surgeon are the two best persons to figure out if you are as symmetrical as possible with the implants you currently have. I can only assume that your plastic surgeon made that calculation before and during your surgery with the obvious surgical and aesthetic goal being to make you as symmetrical as possible (assuming you are pleased with your breast size, shape, and softness).Seven weeks is still fairly early and things may well improve with time. However, if you remain displeased with the degree of asymmetry after three to six months, you have two choices: One is to recognize that you admittedly had pre-operative asymmetry and that your surgical outcome may just be as good as it gets. The other choice, is to discuss your concerns with your plastic surgeon and review your options. If your plastic surgeon indicates that her or she does not feel they can accomplish a more symmetrical result with revision surgery, you can certainly exercise your option of obtaining a second opinion. Overall, you have a very nice result which will probably improve with time. Best of luck to you.

Daniel Barrett, MD · Answer

Dear Lindslee17,Dropping of implants is part of the healing process and this occurs after the tissues surrounding the implants slowly relax, allowing the implants to settle into their final position. It can take about four to six months for the implant to drop down to their final position.I understand that you are worried about your implants are not dropping as expected. However, you are still in the early phase of the recovery period. Please do allow some time for the healing process to occur. If after six months, you are not satisfied with the appearance of your breast, you can visit your plastic surgeon and discuss your concerns.Daniel Barrett, MD, MHA, MS 
Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery  
Member, Am. Society of Plastic Surgery

J. Dayne Petersen, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question and photos! There is a three month period of settling. Currently, you seem to have a great result! I am glad you understand that there may be some persistent asymmetries even with a larger implant on one side vs the other. Continue to do your massages as per your surgeons post-op instructions and follow up with him/her with additional questions. I wish you the best of luck!

Paul W. Papillion, MD · Answer

Hello, you are likely to always have asymmetry between your breast. With time, I would expect some continued settling of both breast along with softening of the breast due to the pocket stretching. Overall, things should feel and look more natural as time goes on.

David Rosenstein, MD · Answer

Thank you for the before and after photos and question. It does appear that you have beautiful results so far. It takes several months for the implant to settle. Try being patient and continue with the post operative care of your surgeon.

Ven Erella, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question. It will take several weeks to settle. It will drop more as tissues relaxes. It takes more time because of larger implant and tight tissue cover. Please continue to follow instructions from your PS

Will my breast implant drop more? (Photos)

Answers (15)

More Breast Augmentation Questions

What are the signs off having hematoma? What do you do to prevent it from developing?

750cc saline under the muscle. I just had my surgery last Wednesday and I look very buff and flat chested?

I had anorexia for 6 years and the result in that is that I have saggy breasts, am I too young? What are your thoughts?

I had a breast augmentation and I've been told these scars are a reaction from my body to the dissolvable sutures? (Photo)

I have Addison's Disease. Is breast augmentation a possibility for me?

Medically not cleared and surgery day got canceled, am I entitled to a refund?

WE SEND PRETTY
EMAILS