Can breast implants continue to drop after a year? (Photo)

Thanks for your question! In my opinion, after a year, they are pretty much where they are going to be. IT may be time to discuss a revision. Good luck!

Typically implants will sit high in the initial post op period as lower pole tissue needs time to settle into place. This process requires patience and can take several weeks to occur.

It is unlikely that high-riding implants will settle/drop after 1.5 years post op. Banding and massage can help but only to a point. I will typically reassure patients up to 6 months post operatively. Beyond that, optimism wanes.

Based upon your photos alone, you do not appear to be significantly high-riding. The implants seem to have settled to the level of your fold. However, there is no substitute for an in-person exam.

As always, discuss your concerns with a board certified plastic surgeon (ABPS).

Dear , thanks for sharing your concern and pictures, and yes this dropping might still almost a tyear and a half, one of the prevention methods is try to use yout post op bra all the time possible, always sleep with that bra or sport bra on. Make sure you go on consultation with a board-certified plastic surgeon. Hope this helps and best of lucks. Dr. Luis Mejia.

Dear Nurturing69610,


I understand your concern. However, without a proper assessment, it would be difficult to determine what is wrong. It is unlikely that your implants will drop further. It is best that you visit your plastic surgeon for further assessment or ask for a second opinion. Only after a thorough examination, you can get proper recommendations and advice.

Daniel Barrett, MD
Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

It is unlikely at this point that the implants will drop any lower. I would recommend having a discussion with your surgeon about desired outcomes.

At this point in time, after 1 1/2 years, it is unlikely that there will be any further descent. Also, I would not recommend releasing your inframammary fold or implant capsule. This may result in the breasts bottoming out. Right now, your implants look too high. The safest option would be to place smaller implants that have less upper pole fullness.

Best Wishes,

Gary Horndeski, M.D.

After this much time your implants are unlikely to come down. Please consult with an experienced board certified plastic surgeon with whom you feel comfortable and confident, and whose results you find to be aesthetically pleasing. Your implants need to be lowered surgically and your inframammary fold (the bottom of your breast) needs to be lowered. This means your scar will now be above the fold but still under your bra and bathing suit, and likely to heal inconspicuously. Best of luck to you.

Implants often sit high on the chest after surgery due to several factors, including swelling, skin and tissue tightness, and muscle compression. This is a normal part of the healing process. As postoperative swelling subsides, there is more room for the implant to descend. Over time, the skin and breast tissue gradually stretch, allowing the implant to settle into a more natural position. If the implant is placed under the muscle, muscle relaxation and decreased spasms during healing also help the implant drop. Additional factors like scar formation and surgical technique can influence this process.
The most significant settling typically occurs within the first 0-3 months after surgery, with more subtle changes happening between 3-6 months. The final implant position is usually reached between 6-12 months. While some additional descent can occur after this period, it becomes much more difficult. Aggressive massage and the use of a bandeau are most effective during the initial 3 months, but may still offer some benefit afterward.
It’s important to maintain regular follow-up visits with your surgeon, as both preoperative planning and postoperative care are just as important as the surgery to achieving optimal results. Your board-certified plastic surgeon should assess the reason behind a high-riding implant - such as capsular contracture or implant malposition - and guide you through appropriate treatment options to help meet your aesthetic goals.

No, the implants will probably not move now since you have healed. I would suggest going down in profile and also going a little smaller so that the implant fits your frame. Your inferior pockets could be lowered if you must keep this size, but long term you might increase the risk of bottoming out from the weight.

The time you have after surgery is enough for an implant to settle down. A band and massaging wont make much difference, since the capsule is already formed and stable.