When will I drop and fluff?

Question

I am currently 5 weeks post op with 400 silicone HP implants. I've noticed that the size has gotten smaller due to the swelling reducing. I've lost about an inch overall in circumference and was wondering if they might get bigger once the implant fully drops into place. They look so much smaller than I had anticipated but I'm assuming it's because the muscle is still pressing against the implant.

Gary M. Horndeski, MD · Answer

Over time the muscle will stretch allowing the implant to drop and increase anterior projection. After about 6 mos. the final appearance will be achieved. If you are still not satisfied, then you might consider a larger implant. Good luck!

Ted Eisenberg, DO, FACOS, FAACS · Answer

You are correct. The implant is pressed flat and high by the chest muscle making them appear smaller."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

Larry S. Nichter, MD, MS, FACS · Answer

Two things happen and seem paradoxical. As as the swelling  goes down there will be some shrinkage but at the same time as the muscle relaxes your breast projection grows. In general the breast shape and size proportionality improves..Breast implants initially after surgery when placed in a submuscular position often give superior fullness that corrects itself with time, the "fluff and drop" phenomena. In reality the pectoralis major muscle takes a while to adjust its size to accommodate the implant as well as occasional muscle spasm which keeps the implant projection higher than its final resting shape. Additional variables include:laxity of skin, size difference during prior pregnancies, position of implant,size of muscle, and size of implant.As the muscle relaxes the projection of the implant often increases and the breast shape improves. Massage and use of a superior placed elastic strap can often make this process go faster.

Young R. Cho, MD, PhD · Answer

Thank you for your question.. Drop and fluff refers to post-operative period in which the breasts begin to descend and fills out the lower half of the breast.  It may take several months for this to happen and can be encouraged with breast massage and compression.  It may appear that the breast enlarges as the lower aspect of the breast fills out (at the expense of the upper portion of the breast)

Richard J. Bruneteau, MD · Answer

The term “Drop and Fluff” appear to reference changes that
occur in the breast following surgery.In the post-operative period, patients have soft tissue swelling and
muscle spasm.These phenomena tend to
displace the implants in a superior direction.When the swelling and spasm resolve, the implants “drop” into a normal
position. For
this reason, we recommend that patients not make decisions regarding breast
size until swelling and spasm have resolved.

Jerome Edelstein, MD · Answer

When implants are first inserted, they sit high up because your tissues are tight and gravity hasn't taken effect. Over time, natural tissue expansion occurs to allow the implants to fall into place. By this time, your breasts will have taken on a more natural contour, where the lower breasts become softer and rounder. Please wait at least four months for this to happen.

David Shafer, MD, FACS · Answer

At just 5 weeks after surgery, you will still see positive changes over the next few months.  As the swelling resolves, the breasts may look slightly smaller.  They will not look larger as time goes on.  In most cases, I suggest that patients choose an implant size slightly larger than they like since in the office since once the implant is placed in the body it looks slightly smaller.  Also, after surgery, many patients get used to the look of the swollen breast and wish they had stayed larger as the swelling resolves.

	 

	Good Luck.

Paul C. Dillon, MD · Answer

HiRepHi,
Thank you for your question. I think you are to early in your considerations. give them time to settle. Don't worry, 5 weeks post op is too early to determine what your breast will look like. They will settle over time. At this time, what you describing in normal. Be patient, you should see final results within 4-6 months. Just follow instructions given by your doctor and you will see drastic change. 
It is important to stay compressed and wear a bra that both support and help push the breast into the area of your choice. I do like the Caromed bra which does this quiet well. 
Hope this helps, 
Dr. Dillon

Tom J. Pousti, MD · Answer

Congratulations on having undergone the breast augmentation procedure.  No one will be able to predict exactly what cup size you will wear or whether the breast will look slightly smaller or slightly larger in the longer term. Variables involved include the presence of swelling currently and the disputed phenomenon called “dropping and fluffing” that occurs after several weeks. In my practice, I have seen this phenomenon occur; the breasts appear larger as the implants "settle". It may be helpful to you to know that many patients, shortly after breast augmentation surgery is performed, feel their breasts are “too small” or “too big”, only to be very pleased with the longer-term outcome of the procedure performed. At this point, I would suggest continued patience and continued follow-up with your plastic surgeon.  Stay emotionally even keeled during the process of physical and psychological “adaptation” to the new body image that occurs for any patient undergoing body contouring surgery.Best wishes; hopefully you will be very pleased with the longer-term outcome of the procedure performed.

Robert Brueck, MD · Answer

This is normal.The amount of swelling will vary from one patient to the next.they should pretty much stay this way however they may fall down a little and will over time but I don't think they will get bigger.

When will I drop and fluff?

Answers (13)

More Breast Implants Questions

WE SEND PRETTY
EMAILS

Answers (13)

More Breast Implants Questions

i put silicone implants 690 cc completely under the muscle 2 years ago..

Rash 2 Months After Implants

Sub Glandular Vs Sub Muscular Implant for Better Cleavage?

Can Saline Breast Implants Affect my Asthma?

Moderate Profile Plus OR High Profile?

What Can You Do to the Stitches Not Dissolved After Breast Implants

WE SEND PRETTY EMAILS

WE SEND PRETTY
EMAILS