Will my breast implants look bigger once they drop?

Question

Hi there, I am 5"11/2, 125 lbs 30" ribcage. Before ba I was a 36b but did not fill it out. I am happy with the shape but feel they do not look big enough from the side veiw. I'm 18 day post op and they are still very sore too touch and tight. I spoke to my surgeon yesterday and she said 400cc is fairly large and once they settle they should project more and be larger. I'm feeling very depressed thinking I should have went bigger. Please help me by giving me some insight. Thanks!

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.

Stephen T. Greenberg, MD, FACS · Answer

Hi there and thanks for your question! You have another few weeks to months before you are going to see your full results and size.  If your implants are under the muscle, as your swelling goes down and your pectoralis muscle relaxes, the implants will drop and fill out the bottom pole of your breast to give a much nicer shape and projection.  If your implants are above the muscle (sub-glandular), it will still take time for your new breasts to take shape.  I recommend regular follow up with  your surgeon to ensure adequate healing. Best of luck and hope this helps!

Badar Jan, MD · Answer

Its still early in your recovery period. Youre definitely still going to see changes over the next several months as the swelling decreased. Typically the upper pole volume decreased while the lower pole volume increased. Unfortunately projection will not increase overtime. Given how early you are in recovery, I would let things settle and see how you like the result. Its very likely that once you feel more comfortable and can wear the clothing you enjoy and move around more freely that you'll appreciate your result more. In addition you may be comforted to know that it would always be an option to increase the size of the implant at a later date. 
Best wishes,
Dr. Jan

Pejman Aflaki, MD · Answer

Hello and thank you for the question. It is too early to judge your results. Early after breast augmentation, implants tend to sit high on the chest wall, which make the breasts look unnatural. Over the course of next several weeks, implants drop to their final location behind the breast tissue, and likely project more.  As they do, the bottom of the breasts will round up and the nipple-areola complexes will rotate upward.  At the beginning, it's not uncommon for one implant to be at a different level compared to the other one. I would be more patient. Your final results can take up to 3  months to show. Best
Pejman Aflaki, M.D.
  
Johns Hopkins-trained plastic surgeon

Michelle Spring, MD, FACS · Answer

Hello and thank you for the question.  Currently you are very early in the post-operative period.  At this time your skin and muscles are still very tight and haven't stretched to accommodate the implant. As time goes by, the skin and muscle will relax and the implant will settle into its position.  Typically this is a more natural shape with projection that is not evident in the first few weeks after surgery.  Be patient and follow all of your surgeons recommendations.  Best wishes, Dr. Michelle Spring

Marwan R. Khalifeh, MD · Answer

First and foremost you're in good
company.  All patients who undergo breast implant surgery look too big,
too tight, too high, and too swollen early on.

In my own practice I tell my patients that it
will be about three weeks before they even believe that they're going to
come down, by about 12 weeks I will know and you will know you are high,but no
one else will care, and ultimately your most  natural result will come
between six and 12 months after surgery.

Some patients can take longer to drop than
others depending on the size of the implant and their anatomy.  For
example, it will take longer for a 500 CC implant stretch and relax the skin
and muscle than a smaller implant.  A more muscular person with a sub
muscular implant will take longer for the implant to drop as well.

Share your concerns with your plastic surgeon,
who I suspect will walk you through this and confirm that your normal.

Christopher J. Morea, MD · Answer

You are still very early in the post operative period.  You will continue to see changes in the shape and size of your breasts for 3-4 months after surgery.  It takes a full 3-4 months for the implants to settle and take on their appearance.  The swelling at the top of the breast  will decrease and you will notice the bottom of the breast begin to fill out. I cannot say that you will look larger. My experience has been that as the swelling subsides, the breasts will not look as large as they do immediately after surgery.  It is possible to place another larger implant but I would absolutely wait at least 6 months until you achieve your final results before considering another surgery.  Consult your surgeon. Be patient and trust the advice your surgeon gives you.Best regards,

Scott C. Sattler, MD, FACS · Answer

Your breasts will likely have a better shape with less upper pole roundness Ina few months once the implant 'drop' - although a 400 cc implant is relatively large for your frame.

Jacob Freiman, MD, FACS · Answer

The breasts will not look bigger as they drop but they will change shape and although you see size as the most important part of the process, plastic surgeons also look at the shape. You may find that you like the shape once they've settled.

Andre Levesque, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question.It is very common for patients to feel like they did not go big enough or too big in the early period post operatively.  I always advise patience. Remember your still healing and the implants will still need to drop into place the so called “drop and fluff”.  Most patients that initially have some concerns about size ultimately become very happy with their new look as everything softens.    Follow your surgeon’ post op instructions and try to hang in there.  The majority of patients ultimately are quite happy.Dr. L

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