3 week post op silicone submuscular implants with mentor. (photos)

Question

3.5 weeks after surgery, my left breast has "dropped" or settled and my right one is still firm and has a hard feeling at the bottom I have been doing the exercise for both so not sure if I should be worried

Aldo Guerra, MD · Answer

Thanks for sharing your photos and questions. It's going to take more time. You look pretty good and one always seems to come down sooner. Keep following your plastic surgeon's instructions on the massage and it will get better. Best wishes, Dr. ALDO

Tom J. Pousti, MD · Answer

Congratulations on having undergone the breast augmentation procedure. Your plastic surgeon will be best resource when it comes to accurate assessment, advice, and/or meaningful reassurance. There are many variables when it comes to how much breast implants will "settle";  the main variable in my opinion will be exactly how/where the breast implant pocket was dissected. Other factors may include tightness of the overlying skin/muscle layers, and size of breast implant utilized. For this reason, your plastic surgeon will be your best resource.

Generally speaking, breast implants will "drop" into the pocket that was created during surgery. The rate of breast implant "settling" may depend on factors such as size of breast implant pocket dissected, tightness of the overlying skin/muscle layers, and size of breast implant utilized. I have found that patients who start out with tuberous or constricted breasts may find that it takes longer for the breast implants to fully settle and for the lower breast poles to "round out". Normally, it takes about 3-6 months (for some patients longer) to see the final result. It is very common for one side to settle faster than the other.

Again,  best to followup with your plastic surgeon for in person evaluation. Best wishes for an outcome that you will be very pleased with.

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

Generally speaking, 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.

Michael E. Ciaravino, MD (in memoriam) · Answer

You are still very early out, and changes with continue to occur with your breasts during the next several weeks. It is common for one implant to settle more quickly. Continue massaging as directed by your PS and with time the other side should settle evenly.

Brooke R. Seckel, MD, FACS (retired) · Answer

You are early in recovery and it is common to have asymmetry at this point.  However the right breast is larger than the left and if you have any extreme sensation of tightness and pain on the right side see your plastic surgeon for an examination  to rule out bleeding or a hematoma.

3 week post op silicone submuscular implants with mentor. (photos)

Answers (5)

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