High riding breast or still dropping and fluffing? (Photo)

Question

Hi, I had an augmentation nearly 6 months ago and feel like they breast are still very high riding. I have noticed very little drop in the breasts since the procedure. How do i know if this is superior malposition or if i am still healing? I am surprised they are this high this far out for the surgery.

Joe Gryskiewicz, MD, FACS · Answer

It is always good to see your surgeon in person so that a better analyzation can be made on whether or not that is what the issue is.  A lot of times if a patient has delayed settling we will often suggest wearing a breast band on top of the breasts to help assist them.

Leila Kasrai, MD, FRCSC · Answer

It is difficult to give you an opinion without knowing more details and seeing pre-op photos. I suggest you see your surgeon to discuss your concerns. If your implants are on the larger side and you had smaller breasts pre-operatively, it does tend to take longer for the implants to settle into position.

Ira H. Rex III, MD · Answer

I can't answer this question without a good examination and also a review of your preoperative photos would help.  Usually at 6 months, the results are quite stable.  Often plastic surgeons prefer to wait about a year before making any decisions on revision.  You may experience some softening of the upper pole and be quite satisfied.  You may consider seeing your plastic surgeon at this point for an evaluation and discussion about what you can expect.  Sometimes the implants have to be repositioned or you may decide on a different profile or volume.

Stefan Mark Szczerba, MD · Answer

You are doing great!  Be patient with this.  The size of the implant definitely correlates with time to settle into final position meaning the bigger the implant the longer it takes to get into final position.  Best Wishes!!

Brian K. Reedy, MD · Answer

Thanks for your question! They do appear high for 6 months post-op. I would suggest an appointment with your surgeon to see if there are any options at this point. Good luck!

Matthew C. Camp, MD · Answer

Your photos appear to reflect submuscular implant placement with dense breast parenchyma. These implants are too high. You may want to try breast massage to encourage loosening of the tissue, and movement of the implants down the chest wall. It is possible that you have capsular contracture, but this is very early in the healing phase, so I would give breast massage a try first. If this does not work, and it is found that you have capsular contracture, a revision surgery will be necessary. Overall you have symmetric placement, and have a good chance of a superb result.

Camille Cash, MD · Answer

At six months post op you are seeing your final results and it is not likely that the implants will drop any more.  They do appear to be sitting high but it may be due to the size of the implant.  I encourage you to visit with your surgeon for an evaluation and to discuss your concerns.

Connie Hiers, MD, FACS · Answer

Your implants appear a little large for your frame and this may be all that they can do. Your lateral pocket can be adjusted, or you can go down in size. Please discuss this with your surgeon.

Mats Hagstrom, MD (license on probation) · Answer

Your implants are riding high because your implants have a diameter much larger than the natural diameter of your breast.
Without opening the IMF(infra mammary fold) your implants are going to sit high.Opening the IMF increases the chance of your implants bottoming out.
The distance from your IMF to your nipple should be half the diameter of your implant.
The outcome is a direct correlation to positioning of the implant, but most of it is implant selection.
Whenever excessive large implants are used, it increases the chance of undesirable side effects, complications and need for revision surgery.
I’m not sure if you or the surgeon chose the implant size, but it is implant size that’s causing the problem and trying to make that implant fit is going to lead to new potential problems.
Decreasing the implant size is your best option to get a better outcome Without increasing the chance of complications. 
Best,
Mats Hagstrom MD