What Does "Drop and Fluff" Refer to in a Breast Augmentation? Will They Get Larger?

After breast augmentation, there is some degree of tightness and surgical swelling, possibly slightly more with submuscular implant placement (most common location). As this swelling diminishes, and as the skin, breast, and muscular tissues stretch and accommodate the implants,  implant position almost always drops to some degree (unless capsular contracture is occurring), and the breasts will become softer and more teardrop in appearance. This, of course, is highly dependent upon the age, breast-feeding history, weight gain-and-loss history, and natural elasticity and collagen content of each woman's breasts, not to mention whether or not the woman's muscles are those of a body-builder or a couch potato. But gravity is pretty much a 100% effect that you can rely upon. This dropping, softening, and settling of implants and breast tissues apparently has been given the non-medical lay terminology "dropping and fluffing."

Until I saw this terminology used on this site, I actually thought "fluffing" was something done to keep male porn actors "ready" for filming. So you won't catch me using this slang term for my augmentation patients.

On a more important note, 25cc is an inconsequential volume increase that you will be bitterly dissatisfied with if you spent the time, money, and surgery to revise. 25cc is LESS than 2 tablespoons and you will be unable to see this difference. I tell my patients that it takes 50-100cc to even begin to see a visible difference, that it takes about 125cc to go up a half a cup size, and 250cc (2/3 of a can of soda) to equal one cup size. Your 325cc implants added about 1 1/3 cup sizes to what you started with--how much larger do you wish to be?

If you really want a visible change larger than what you already have, you must go proportionately larger in your new implants or you will think your surgeon made an error and didn't increase your implants. Of course your surgeon should know this, but patients can be insistent (and wrong), so that is why this needs careful consideration, and at least 3-6 months of time after your initial surgery. Best Wishes! Dr. Tholen

It's important to understand that your breast shape will change after an augmentation during the post-operative period. Usually, the breasts take six months to settle and they will look more natural after that period. The drop and fluff period usually refers to when implants have been placed under the muscle, and as the muscle relaxes, the implant lowers and starts to fill the lower pole of the breast. Initially, they may sit quite high on your chest until the settle over a few months. 

Great question. Immediately following a breast augmentation, patients may feel that their breast are sitting higher and/or tighter than they would like. In these cases, patients should relax and allow their body to heal before considering a different implant. The phrase "drop & fluff" refers to the more natural shape that the breasts will take following the healing process. Once the swelling has subsided and the tissue has stretched to adapt to the implants, the breasts will take a more natural and fuller appearance.  Hope this helps!