Breast Implant Dropping Extremely Slow?

   It is possible than an implant can continue to drop at 4 months following surgery.  Kenneth Hughes, MD breast implants Los Angeles, CA

While I agree that 'settling' of the implant does occur many months after breast augmentation surgery - when the procedure is combined with mastopexy, there is more internal breast scarring that might inhibit the natural descent of the implant - this has been my experience with a couple of patients in the past. I did a revision at 6 months and was glad that I did because the patient is very pleased with the overall result.

I dont think it is avery good idea to be measuring your nipple to clavicle distance so frequently or at all. Allow time for healing before you come to any conclusions

Since your surgery is now at least 4 months ago, the breast implants  may not drop significantly.  It is best to be evaluated in person. remember no two breasts are the same.

While breast implant settling can occur for up to a year after surgery, most vertical dropping will have taken placed by 3 months after surgery. But I would give it a full six months and if there is no change, it is time to consider a revision to lower it. The other possibility is that when implants are combined with a lift, the overlying breast tissue may have a residual sag as it sits in front of the implant. This raises the question as to whether implant lowering or more breast lifting is needed.

Measurements can deceive becausej of breast asymmetries and if you look very good in the mirror you might forget what you measure. Don't forget that your breast will continue to work in and adjust over the first year.

Thank you for the question.

Given that you are about 4 months out of your breast surgery, it is possible that the breast implant positions will continue to change.  I do see breast implant position changes occur during the first year after breast augmentation/lifting surgery. This is especially true given that you state that the breast implants move freely and that you do not appear to have a problem with encapsulation. Of course, your plastic surgeon will be  your best resource; for most accurate advise a follow-up visit may be helpful.

Best wishes.

I am happy to hear it doesn't look odd unless you stare in the mirror. After 4 months things are mostly settling down, but they may continue to change. Performing a breast augmentation and lift simultaneously is a challenging operation to make perfect. I would talk to your surgeon to see if he/she anticipates any further changes based on your preoperative condition and what was technically done during surgery.