How Can I Keep my Implants from Dropping? (photo)

Hello,

Looking at your photo, you would benefit from some settling of your implants. (Granted, your self taken photo does not depict your breasts as a properly taken photo - hands at your side, 6 to 8 feet away from subject, and taken at the level of the breasts.)  Regardless, implant settling is inevitable and isn't usually what most people think, that the implants glid downward on the chest wall. Usually, settling is an expansion of the lower pole of the breast allowing the implant to project maximally in the lower pole.  This does mean there will be some deflation of the upper pole, but not a change in position of the upper edge of the implant. 

I think you will be fine!

 

Support is key. You should always wear a #bra for continued support. Also, a breast #lift may be consideration. A Breast #Lift to #tighten loose skin is often recommended to better optimize the end result of an #augmentation or #revision. I prefer to use a #shortscar technique, #LollipopScar or #DonutLift” rather than the majority of surgeons in the United States that use an anchor pattern lift which involve more significant scarring. Another possibility is a biologic fabric (Acellular Dermal Matrix or #ADM) which is sometimes used to attach to the breast tissue internally while supporting the implant.However, it is best to consult with your Plastic Surgeon to better confirm with an in-person exam and continue to wear support.

I'm wondering if you needed a breast lift or something with more projection to compensate for the sagging. At any rate, to minimize sagging you should wear a bra all the time. That's pretty much the only thing you can do if you don't want revision surgery.

Unfortunately, you can't prevent your breasts from dropping to where they want to be. This typically occurs over the course of three to four months. However, if you'd like to slow the rate at which they drop, wear a good supportive bra all the time. This will fight against the natural force of gravity somewhat.

You will see continued softening (dropping) of the implants for the next 2-3 months and there really is not anything to do to prevent it. The inframammary fold (IMF) will stop the descent if it has not been violated. The only way to have a higher appearing breast is to surgically create a higher IMF with suturing techniques. In your case, the descent of your implants will actually be of some benefit in that it will make your nipples and areolae appear higher. My guess is that you will like the appearance of your results in about 2-3 months. 

Dear Julyamberpie,

 

Unfortunately, nature will take its course and gravity will have its effect on the implants.

Even if you were to wear a support garment the dropping will have to take place eventually and the implants will settle in the pocket that is has been created.

So the degree of dropping will be determined by:

1. How good the pocket was created during the surgery.

2. The absence of tissue violation during the surgery.

 

Best of luck to you and thank you for your inquiry.

Dr. Sajjadian

Hi, your implants are still settling down and they will not stop until they hit the mammary fold which is your natural anatomical landmark. wearing the support garment might help but eventually gravity will put them where anatomically they can rest at the crease. this obviously assumes that the pocket was created correctly and that the fold was not violated.

Around each implant a capsule forms that acts like a 24 hour bra.  Most implants therefore don't droop even without external support.  However, this is not 100% so the occasional patient will experience stretching of the capsule and loss of position.  Probably better to wear a bra particularly when exercising.

I think you have asked a good question. It is normal for implants to drop. The hard part is how to control it. I have most of my patients wear a bra which has a good elastic support which sits right below the infra-mammary crease and holds this area firmly to the chest. I have them wear it 24/7 for 6 weeks. This is not an absolute but has been successful in my experience. 

The only way I know of preventing implants from dropping is by standing on your head, being in zero gravity, or not having implants.  All the opposite impact the descent.  Sorry :-(