6 months post-op. Are my implants bottoming out? (Photo)

The current photos show lower-pole fullness and implant settling, but bottoming out cannot be confirmed from photos alone. The key signs are the implant dropping below the original inframammary fold, the nipple appearing too high on the breast mound, or the incision/fold sitting higher than expected on the breast. Comparing your before, early post-op, and current photos with your surgeon is important.

At 6 months, most swelling has improved, but implants and tissues can still change. If there is true bottoming out, treatment depends on the cause and severity and may involve pocket repair, internal sutures, mesh support, implant size change, or sometimes a lift if skin laxity is contributing. An in-person exam with your surgeon is the safest way to judge this; earlier review is appropriate with rapid worsening, new pain, redness, drainage, or a sudden shape change.

Hello, thank you for your question. Implants usually it takes about 1 year after surgery for the implant to fully settle in and this just means that they sit lower. speak to your plastic surgeon if you are concerned about bottoming out it is difficult to say from this point of view. Feel free to check out webpage for more information about breast augmentation. Happy Thanks Giving -six surgery

Thank you for your question regarding your breast implants and for including photos!

Although photos are often great, it would be best to do an in person exam to determine if your breast implants have bottomed out.

For specific questions like this and about your recovery in general, it is best to speak directly with your doctor or doctor’s representative – such as his or her nurse, or the physician on call for the practice. You will likely get many differing opinions from members of the RealSelf Community, but they have not personally seen or examined you. Nobody should know you or your unique set of circumstances better than your doctor. If you feel you are not being listened to or you are doubting your doctor’s recommendations, then it is certainly within your rights to seek a second opinion and get the advice from another board certified physician.

Best Wishes.

From your photos it looks like the distance from your nipple to breast crease has lengthened over the past 6 months, which happens for most breast implants that push the limits of a person's frame size and breast footprint like your implants do. How much the implants drop and stretch the lower breast depends on implant absolute size, implant size relative to breast footprint, implant position, and genetic skin and soft tissue characteristics. Stretching of the lower breast and implant bottoming out is most significant during the first 6-12 months. Stretching will continue to some degree after the 1 year time point, but it is usually much slower.

Dear Michaela61242,
bottoming out occurs when the implant falls below the current breast crease or inframammary line. It's more likely to happen with inframammary incisions, which is why I try not to use the inframammary approach to any breast surgery.
Bottoming out can also occur if an implant is too large for the breast pocket. That is why it is important to choose an implant size that's correct for your body. I perform numerous measurements in the office to determine optimal implant size for my patient's bodies.
If you are concerned, please check it with your plastic surgeon for reassurance and to further discuss your options and possibility of revision.
Daniel Barrett, MD
Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

Yes, your large implants are settling down a little bit low. I would suggest wearing an underwire bra during the day and a very good support bra when exercising.

Hello and thank you for your question and your pictures. It seems that your implants has settled and without a physical examination, it is difficult to assess whether or not they are bottoming out. I would recommend you follow up with your plastic surgeon who performed the operation so they can assess you appropriately and give you the proper course of action. Best wishes!

An in person evaluation is always best, but it does appear you implants are settling low. One indication of bottoming out is when you see your incisions move forward from the crease. I encourage you to return to your surgeon to discuss your concerns and learn about options.