How long can it take for Sientra textured cohesive gel implants to soften?

Form stable cohesive silicone gel breast implants are firmer than earlier generation silicone gel implants. The implants don't change in firmness with positional changes, however. Typically, when a woman lies on her back, her breast tissue shifts off to the side. In some women, there is enough looseness of the breast that when it shifts toward the outside there is very little tissue left covering the front of the chest, while she is in that position. If she had a breast augmentation with a more firm breast implant, then while she was standing and the implant was more covered by the breast, the breast may overall feel fairly soft. But when she lies flat, the breast itself may shift over, while the implant may stay in more of a central position, and thus not be covered by as much breast tissue. This could give the perception that the breast or rather the implant feels more firm, even though the implant hasn't actually changed.

These breast implants are highly cohesive gel implants, they are a little more firm. They will ripple less, and give it about 2-3 months for them to feel softer. If you are feeling like they are very firm, please see your surgeon to rule out capsular contracture. Wishing you the best of luck!

Thanks for your question.
New implants have a tendency to feel firmer than expected, especially
immediately after surgery. Typically, Sientra implants tend to soften after
about two months, continuing to soften slightly as they heal and settle, but
they're made to be firmer than some other implant types. Sientra's "gummy
bear" implants are more cohesive than traditional silicone gel implants,
which results in additional firmness along with a few other benefits (reduced
risk of gel leakage, less rippling and reduced risk of capsule formation). Keep
in mind that some patients take longer to see their final results. However, you
may wish to follow up with your plastic surgeon if you feel that your implants
are too firm at 5 months post-op.

We don't recommend post-op massage for textured implants though even without massage implants are typically soft around 2 months and continue to soften with time.  It is a rare occurrence for textured implants to contract though can happen.  Be sure to follow up with your plastic surgeon to make sure your implants had not contracted and for further recommendation. 

Sounds like you need to see your plastic surgeon again. They should be soft by this point. Best of luck.

Typically patients feel these implants soften about 2 months after surgery. They definitely go through a phase where they are firmer in the beginning. I have put in over 100 pairs of shaped textured Sientra implants since they were approved in 2012, and you should definitely be soft by 5 months post op. Time to make an appointment with your surgeon for a post op check. Best regards. Dr. S.

The
textured cohesive gel implants definitely take longer to soften than the smooth
saline implants that we utilized years ago.
In my opinion, it takes anywhere from 3-6 months for these implants to
feel and look as close to natural as possible.
Although they take longer to soften than saline implants they offer an
array of positive benefits in regards to look, feel and performance long term that
need to be considered when choosing your implant type.

Silicone gel breast implants do not “soften” with time; their firmness does not change over the course of time. What you are likely experiencing is related to the characteristics of your own tissue such as breast tissue, pectoralis major muscle, and/or the breast implant capsule surrounding the breast implant. You will be best off communicating your concerns to your plastic surgeon, who after physical examination, can rule out the presence of thickening of the breast implant capsule (capsular contraction). I hope this helps.

and are designed to NOT MOVE at all, regardless of what position you may be in. When laying down, I suspect your soft tissue covering the implant is pulled back, making the breast 'firmer' even though nothing is really changing in the implants. This is a shortcoming of the textured anatomic implants that surgeons should be informing their patients about when selecting the style of implant.

I suspect your surgeon put your implants below your muscle? This is the most common technique for many good reasons. Most importantly, mammograms are more accurate when placed below the muscle! Additionally, you will have improved coverage of the implant, and there is a reduced risk of capsule contracture.Typically, when you are laying down your pectoralis muscle is on the most stretch, and it may just be the muscle is still adjusting and stretching. This is probably something that will improve over time, and additionally you will become more comfortable with how this feels with time.Capsule contracture is a risk that does exist, but it does not sound like this is the case given they soften up and feel better when standing. The Sientra textured implant currently has the lowest capsule contracture rate in the industry! Rest assured your surgeon made a good choice in using this implant.It's important for you to check back in with your Plastic Surgeon so that he/she can examine you and make sure all is ok.There truly is an adjustment time for patients to get comfortable with their implants. Be patient and keep living life!Best,Jennifer Harrington MDHarrington Plastic Surgery