Follow-up: My left breast still hasn't dropped and it hurts every now and then. I'm freaking out could something wrong? (Photo)

Question

Left breast hasn't dropped I'm scared something is wrong it hurts whenever I massage as well.

Richard Zienowicz, MD · Answer

It is not uncommon for asymmetry to occur after breast augmentation. At our practice we place a bandeau immediately following surgery and will adjust as necessary over the next few weeks to ensure proper symmetry occurs during the healing process. You should not be experience terrible pain in one side, however and should have this checked out with your surgeon.

Christopher J. Davidson, MD, FACS · Answer

Thank you for your question and photograph.  Your photograph indicates that you do in fact have some asymmetry and that the implant on the left is higher than the right.  Without a pre-operative photograph, it is difficult to determine how much asymmetry you had prior to your breast augmentation.  My strong advice is to wait a full 4-6 months before considering a "final" result.  Pain should be discussed with your plastic surgeon.  Best of luck.

Daniel Barrett, MD · Answer

Dear aemery1,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

Lee B. Daniel, MD · Answer

Thanks for sharing your question and photo. It’s entirely normal for one breast implant to drop and fluff sooner than the other, so don’t panic just yet. I would suggest giving your implants a little more time to settle into place before assessing your results. If you still notice significant asymmetry once you’ve fully recovered, check in with your plastic surgeon about the possibility of a revision. However, at this point, everything appears to be healing and settling into place just fine!

Michael J. Yoo, MD · Answer

It's not uncommon for there to be some degree of asymmetry early on in the healing process so it depends on how long ago your original breast augmentation was performed.  If you are experiencing pain on one side I would bring this to the attention of your plastic surgeon.

Marc J. Salzman, MD, FACS (retired) · Answer

Especially early in the post-operative phase of healing, it is not uncommon to have one or both implants appear to be high up by the clavicle. Although the “pocket” may be made correctly, the implant may not have access to the bottom for several reasons. If the overlying muscle or skin is tight, this will move the implant to the path of least resistance which is up and towards the underarm where there is little or no pressure. As the pressure relaxes, the implant will drop down to the bottom. Smooth implants, because their surface is slippery, may move faster downward than a textured implant with its rough surface. Because these variables mentioned above can be different for each side, it's not uncommon that one side will drop faster to the bottom of the pocket than the other. Similarly, sometimes one breast will swell more than the other or be more painful than the other early in the postoperative phase. After the first month or two, usually things will even out. It wouldn't be, in my practice, until four months or so has passed that I would entertain going back to the operating room to “touch up” the location of the breast implant in the pocket. Sometimes specialized bras or straps as well as massage and stretching protocols may be helpful in allowing this process to happen more quickly. Each plastic surgeon will have different thoughts on what the best protocol is for the patient. Your operating plastic surgeon will be your best resource to have this information passed on to you. I recommend that you faithfully follow up and follow the instructions of your chosen plastic surgeon. Congratulations on your surgery, and good luck on an uneventful recovery.

Paul C. Zwiebel, MD (retired) · Answer

It is the norm to have one side "drop" before the other. Sometimes this can take weeks to months to even out.It is also normal to have some degree of asymmetry: no one is a perfect mirror image left-to-right. Comparing to pre-op photos may reveal pre-existing asymmetries that may not have been noticed previously.Best advice: speak with your surgeon about your concerns; post-op care and attention are part of the process.

Follow-up: My left breast still hasn't dropped and it hurts every now and then. I'm freaking out could something wrong? (Photo)

Answers (7)

More Breast Augmentation Questions

Boob job and finance options, is it possible to get financing with bad credit?

Are my boobs to separate? As in I feel like I have a really big gap? (Photo)

Okay to use coconut oil on BA incision? Or tea tree oil with coconut as a carrier? (Photos)

Surgeon refused silicone BA because I may have latex allergy. I am allergic to many things but why are they refusing me?

Could subpectoral steroid injections increase the size of the breasts?

Breast augmentation and broad shoulders - could surgery make them smaller?

WE SEND PRETTY
EMAILS