425cc, 5.5 weeks PO. Boobs look tiny. How much can they drop and fluff? (Photo)

Dear 0neL0v3,dropping of implants is part of the healing process and this occurs after the tissues surrounding the implants slowly relax, allowing the implants to settle into their final position. It can take about four to six months for the implant to drop down to their final position.I understand that you are worried about your implants are not dropping as expected. However, you are still in the early phase of the recovery period. Please do allow some time for the healing process to occur. If after six months, you are not satisfied with the appearance of your breast, you can visit your plastic surgeon and discuss your concerns.Daniel Barrett, MD
Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

Thank you for your question and photos. This is a very typical appearance for small breast and larger, higher profile implant. The implant is larger than your skin envelope, so there's no place for the volume to go but up. Over the next several months, the lower pole skin (skin for nipple to fold) will stretch and the implant will "drop". You should see more fullness in the bottom and the projection (how far your breast stick out) increase. In cases like this, I have my patients wear a bra strap (one that applies downward pressure) at all times. Give it time and talk with your PS.

Usually, implants drop into their pockets within 6 months. During this process, breast tissue heals, softens and adapts to the implants. While, the breasts do not become larger after healing, they may appear so due to the swelling around the breast area subsiding. Also the breasts are likely to have a better projection after the swelling goes and they are healed. So try to be patient and know that you will like your new breasts more as they heal.

Hope this helps,Ali Rıza Öreroğlu, MD FEBOPRASEuropean and Turkish Board Certified Aesthetic, Plastic and Reconstructive SurgeonIstanbul, Turkey

Thank you for your question and congratulations on your surgery. It's normal for breasts to look small after surgery. It takes six months for the implants to drop and fluff fully, so I would continue to be patient process. Based on your photos, your implants need to settle more fully before you can judge the final results. Make sure to stay in contact with your surgeon, and follow their instructions closely. 

Thank you for your question and photograph, and I am sorry that your current appearance has caused you concern. After placement of implants, the appearance of the breasts will change dramatically over the next several months, as the implants drop, and the overlying tissue stretches to accommodate the extra volume. In your case the swelling from surgery is flattening your implants and holding them high on your chest.  Though they will not get bigger, as your tissue swelling resolves the volume within the implant will redistribute towards the lower portion of your breast achieving a more natural appearance, and filling your bra cup more.   I know waiting is difficult, but judge your results at 4-6 months after surgery as most of your breast changes should have occurred by then. Hope this helps.

Hello and thank you for your questions. Congratulations on your recent surgery. You are correct that it is still early in the recovery process and you muscle and implants have not yet settled. If you have any concerns with your recovery and to get your remaining suture removed I would follow up with your plastic surgeon. Good luck to you!

Congratulations on having undergone the breast augmentation procedure. Keep in mind that no one will replace your own plastic surgeon when it comes to accurate assessment, advice, and meaningful 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.  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.


Many of my patients report that as the swelling around the breast implants (for example, in the sternal area) decreases, they feel that their breasts appear more projecting. Patients often report that they are happier with the cleavage area once these changes occur also. Also, in my opinion, the "drop and fluff” phenomenon does hold some validity; as breast implants “settle”, many patients feel that their breasts actually look larger. 


 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.  I would suggest continued patience and continued close follow-up with your plastic surgeon.
Best wishes for an outcome that you will be pleased with long-term.

There is no way for us to know if you will be happy with the final size no matter what implant was chosen. In terms of the scars, they look well positioned since they will "rise" as the implants stretch the lower pole out over the next few months. Be patient.

As far as the overall size of your breasts following breast augmentation with implants, it will take another couple months for the implants to settle.  I usually instruct patients that it is going to take at least 2 months, really closer to 3-4 months.  Please follow up closely with your plastic surgeon for further guidance.  

Thank you for your question. Your breasts will continue to change in the coming several weeks. Your incision looks good and healing. It takes several weeks for the implants to drop. Please continue to follow instructions from your PS