Do implants look bigger or smaller after they drop?

Question

I am 22, 5 feet, 112 lbs, was a 34A, and got silicone 300cc submuscular transaxillary. I just got my BA done a week ago. They look good so far, but I am concerned they may be too small. My PS measured me and suggested the biggest I go is 300cc because of my small frame. I also tried on some implants under a tight t-shirt in office and the size looked great, but now I'm not sure. Do implants look bigger, smaller, or stay about the same size after they "drop and fluff"?

Emmanuel Mallol Cotes, MD · Answer

Thanks for sharing your concerns with us. Its too early with only a week post op to talk about final results. In my practice, after performing a Breast Augmentation I recommend to my patients to limit the movement of the arms for two weeks. After that, you can move your arms taking care and always with common sense. In this regard, it's not advisable to carry heavy weights to prevent the implant out of position, and allow the formation of the physiological capsule around the implant, also to avoid pain and breast swelling. Respectfully, Dr. Emmanuel Mallol Cotes.-

James H. Rogers, MD · Answer

A week after surgery is too soon to evaluate your size. You are still quite swollen. Generally you will look somewhat smaller as the swelling diminishes. I recommend waiting at least three months before making decisions regarding size, or considering reoperation

Jason Altman, MD · Answer

One week after surgery is very early to see your result.  It is also very common at this time to wish you had gone a little larger.  Give yourself time to recover and your tissues time to stretch. As the muscle relaxes the implant will drop some and often does appear larger.

John Michael Thomassen, MD · Answer

Implants will over time stretch the overlying skin and tend to project more than when first placed inside a tight skin envelope.  You may notice more projection of the implant with time.

Adolfo Sesto, MD · Answer

Implants stay the same volume when they drop. But now your are swollen and your breast may look bigger do to it.The swollen will go away in about 2 to 3 month, then you will see the real volume of your implant, and final appearance.I suggest the use of a bra to contain  the edema.

Steven Wallach, MD · Answer

At one week post-operative from breast augmentation it is too early to tell what your final size will be. Good luck.

Mark A. Schusterman, MD, FACS · Answer

ONce your implants drop they will look better but shouldn't look a different size.  At your size I would agree with your plastic surgeon that anything over 300 would be too big.  It takes several months for the implants to get their final shape.

Sugene Kim, MD, FACS · Answer

Hi, FranT7.Congratulations on your recent breast augmentation.As the implants settle in their pockets, you may experience "drop and fluff" - the lower pole of the breasts will get more rounded, projection may increase, and the overall shape of the breast will improve. You are very early in your recovery course.  Please allow 3-6 months to see your final outcome.Be patient and follow your plastic surgeon's post-op instruction.Good luck with your continued recovery.

Darryl J. Blinski, MD · Answer

After re reading your previous postings and this one seems you chose 300 vs 350 cxc as the first posting stated. Now you rehabbing size issues. The common concept is ALWAYS go one size up from your choice. Because you are going to be wondering 'if I should have gone bigger'....Plus your second posts suggests to me you had very very few in person consults, in fact sounds like you had only one? Since you did not know about the profiles available..Lesson ALWAYS seek at least 3 in person  opinions and try on implant sizers...

Tom J. Pousti, MD · Answer

Congratulations on having undergone the breast augmentation procedure. 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.  Best wishes for an outcome that you will be pleased with long term.

Do implants look bigger or smaller after they drop?

Answers (11)

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