Can it take longer for some people to "drop and fluff"? (photos)

Question

I'm 6 weeks post op today with 605cc in both breast and all I've read is "give it time-by 6 weeks they will drop and fluff". My breast are still high and look like torpedos and have no lower breast tissue. Should I be concerned? I know there are lots of variables that you have to take into account (i.e. large implants, fit chest muscles, etc.) when healing but I feel like I haven't made much progress. I'm doing my massages and they are softening up just not fluffing. Is this normal? What can I do?

Gerald Minniti, MD, FACS · Answer

Hello,Your implants were much too large for your anatomic capacity. When this is the case, either the surgeon 'lowers your fold' leaving you with a double bubble and pockets that need to be reconstructed, or not, leaving you with high positioned implants. You are latter category, fortunately. At six months, you should have a revision surgery to remove and replace your implants for smaller ones, by an ABPS certified/ASAPS member surgeon who specializes in revision breast surgery. Best of luck!

Tom J. Pousti, MD · Answer

Generally speaking, breast implants will "drop" into the pocket that was created during surgery and massaging the implants and downward may assist in the dropping of the implants after surgery (for those patients who want to help with the settling of the implants).  As you mentioned, 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, size of breast implant utilized, and concerns such as pre-existing breast asymmetry.
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.

Ted Eisenberg, DO, FACOS, FAACS · Answer

At 6 weeks, you are about 35 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

Stephen T. Greenberg, MD, FACS · Answer

Thank you for your question.  The dropping of the implants can take up to 6-8 months.  For some patients it happens a lot sooner, and for others it can take a little longer. I would recommend to continue massaging the implant and I would follow up with your surgeon to address your concerns.  Good luck to you.

Gregory A. Buford, MD, FACS · Answer

I have seen implants drop within the first week and I have also seen the process take several months.  For now, be patient but make sure that you are wearing your breast band and massaging at least 10x per day.  I often use BOTOX to help decrease the muscle spasm as well.I hope that helps and wish you the very best!Warmest regards,-Gregory A Buford MD FACSBoard Certified Plastic Surgeon and Author

Can it take longer for some people to "drop and fluff"? (photos)

Answers (10)

Answer: Post op breast aug

Answer: Post op breast aug

Answer: How long for my implants to drop?

Answer: How long for my implants to drop?

Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Breast Implants

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.

Can it take longer for some people to "drop and fluff"? (photos)

Answers (10)

Answer: Post op breast aug

Answer: Post op breast aug

Answer: How long for my implants to drop?

Answer: How long for my implants to drop?

Browse related questions

Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Breast Implants

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.