Does my implant take longer to drop because I'm small? (photo)

Question

Recently had a BA March 28, 2018. I'm very small 5'4" and weigh between 100 & 105lbs. I got 445cc XHP smooth round under the muscle with armpit incision. My boobs are finally starting to drop and fluff my left i think is almost done but my right is still a little behind. My doc said since I'm so small it may take me a little longer to get to where i need to be. also I've heard it can take up to a year to fully drop and be where ur going to. My right nipple points done a little, not a lot but still.Any advise?

Aldo Guerra, MD · Answer

Implants taken longer to drop?This is a really excellent question! I don’t think it’s just the fact that you’re so small and 100 to 105 pounds that is causing your implants to take a while to drop. I think the greatest risk factor for this issue, is the fact that you got 445 mL breast implants. These are very large for your tiny frame and they are just going to simply take a long time to drop.Make sure you follow up with your plastic surgeon as much as you can to be sure that your implants are dropping at the appropriate speed.

Kenneth Hughes, MD · Answer

Smaller implants tend to drop faster than larger implants.   Larger implants take longer to drop, particularly in smaller women.  Larger implants are typically more prone to displace downward or outward.  Recommend that you follow up with your PS if the right implant continues to look displaced.  Massage can help, but larger implants may take 6 months or more to drop to their final levels.

Tom J. Pousti, MD · Answer

Your concerns are understandable. Your plastic surgeon, knowing the details  of your situation, will be your best resource when it comes to good assessment, advice, and/or meaningful prediction/reassurance.\
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. 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.
Similarly, it takes a few months for the breasts to "soften" in most cases.  Most of my patients tell me that their breast implants feel "part of them" somewhere between 3 to 6 months after surgery was performed.  As the breast implants "settle", the lower breast poles will round out (generally improving shape), and the nipple/areola complexes will seem to sit higher on each breast mound.
 There is definitely a physiologic and "psychological" (body image)  adaptation process that occurs, at differing rates for every patient, for patients who undergo any type of aesthetic surgery, including breast  augmentation surgery.  Understandably, patients often experience significant emotional "ups and downs" around the time of surgery.
 
In other words: time, patience, and close followup with your plastic surgeon are your best friends here. In cases where significant breast asymmetry persists, the pros/cons associated with revisionary breast surgery (for example, capsulotomy surgery for an implant that is sitting too high or capsulorraphy for a breast implant that is too low) should be carefully considered prior to making decisions whether or not to undergo further surgery. 
 Best wishes for an outcome that you will be very pleased with longer-term.

John J. Corey, MD · Answer

Thank you for the picture and you are getting close to six months and very few implants settle that much between six months and a year....especially ultra high profile implants that have more projection and less width. I find these implants fairly narrow and have a tendency to give a big space in the cleavage. So certainly nothing to lose by waiting but it would surprise me if it settled enough to match the other side...

Hampton A. Howell, MD · Answer

Hi.  You may want to ask your surgeon if he/she would like you to do some right sided inferior displacement exercises to help speed along the process of the lower breast tissues relaxing.  Good luck and take care,Dr. Howell

Does my implant take longer to drop because I'm small? (photo)

Answers (9)

Answer: I don’t think your implant will drop to much anymore.

Answer: I don’t think your implant will drop to much anymore.

Answer: Does my implant take longer to drop because I'm small?

Answer: Does my implant take longer to drop because I'm small?

Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Breast Implants

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.

Does my implant take longer to drop because I'm small? (photo)

Answers (9)

Answer: I don’t think your implant will drop to much anymore.

Answer: I don’t think your implant will drop to much anymore.

Answer: Does my implant take longer to drop because I'm small?

Answer: Does my implant take longer to drop because I'm small?

Browse related questions

Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Breast Implants

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.