How long does it take for the boobs to drop? 3 days post op. (photo)

Question

I’m only 3 days post op and my right boob is dropping lower and the left hasn’t dropped at all .

Tom J. Pousti, MD · Answer

Congratulations on having undergone the breast augmentation procedure. 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. I suggest that you wait to evaluate the final result/size of the surgery (and go bra sizing/shopping)  when you are about 6 months to a year out.  
 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.
 
Best wishes for an outcome that you will be very pleased with.

William S. Umansky, MD · Answer

At 3 days post op, it is still very early in your healing process. It is perfectly normal that your implants have not dropped yet. It can take several weeks to several months for the breasts to fully settle and they may not settle at the exact same rate.  If recommended by your doctor, there are a few ways to encourage the breasts to drop such as massage and the use of a surgical bandeau. If you are concerned at all about your healing process, I recommend reaching out to your surgeon as he or she will best be able to guide you in regards to your recovery. Best of luck.

Brian K. Reedy, MD · Answer

Hi & thank you for your question.You are very early in the healing process. It can take between 3 & 6 months for the breasts to drop and settle into position.  Continue to follow your surgeons instructions and contact him or her with any questions or concerns. Best wishes.

Ted Eisenberg, DO, FACOS, FAACS · Answer

At 3 days you are about 1 percent settled, healed, shaped, softened, dropped and fluffed. "Drop and fluff" refers to the fact that as the skin stretches and the muscles relax, the implants move down and out slowly – about 1 percent a day. It’ll be about six weeks before they even begin to settle down, but they’ll be close to 80 percent settled and softened at three months. Watching their progress is like watching your hair grow. You don’t see a difference in your hair growth daily, but all of a sudden you need a haircut. 
Be patient after surgery. Give yourself a few months before making a judgment about your surgical results. You won't know the outcome until then. 
Dr. Ted Eisenberg, Board Certified Plastic Surgeon and Author
Phila., Pa.

Daniel Barrett, MD · Answer

Dear Miss.Goodie,I understand your concern and it is quite normal to be concerned about the outcome following a breast augmentation surgery. However, you are still in the very early stages of the healing process at 3 days  post op.Your will need to be patient at this moment and follow what your surgeon has instructed you to do post operatively.At the early stage of the healing process, the tissues around the implants are still swollen. Once the swelling subsides and the implants drop to their final position, you will be able to see the final result of your breast augmentation surgery.Daniel Barrett, MD
Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

How long does it take for the boobs to drop? 3 days post op. (photo)

Answers (7)

Answer: Breast implants need time to drop and fluff

Answer: Breast implants need time to drop and fluff

Answer: BA results

Answer: BA results

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Everything you need to know about Breast Augmentation

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How long does it take for the boobs to drop? 3 days post op. (photo)

Answers (7)

Answer: Breast implants need time to drop and fluff

Answer: Breast implants need time to drop and fluff

Answer: BA results

Answer: BA results

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Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Breast Augmentation

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