Is the gap too wide between breast implants? Why have they moved so far apart? (photo)

Hi mrse2018,

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 early stages of the healing process.

You 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.

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. Also, your breasts can drop at different rates.

But if you are still concerned, you can always visit your plastic surgeon and discuss your concerns. This way, you will be reassured. Also, if after six months, you are not satisfied with the appearance of your breast, you can visit your plastic surgeon and discuss the possibility of revision surgery.

Lastly, follow your plastic surgeons post-operative instructions and advice for faster healing and recovery.

Daniel Barrett, MD, MHA, MS

Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery

Member, American Society of Plastic Surgery

Member, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

 Although I understand your concerns, based on your photographs, it seems like your breast implants are properly positioned. Keep in mind, as you evaluate your outcome, that each nipple/areola complex should be centered on each breast mound. Generally speaking,  every patient's unique anatomic starting point will to some degree determine how much space will be present between her breasts after breast augmentation surgery.  Other factors involved include careful breast implant pocket dissection and careful selection of breast implant size/profile.  Again,  patient should remember (when it comes to breast implant pocket dissection and achievement of ideal breast implant cleavage) that each nipple/areola complex must be centered on each breast mound. Of course, there are always  anatomic limitations as to how closely the breast implants can be placed, without risking breast implant malposition complications. In the longer term, if you continue to have the same concerns, revisionary breast surgery ( possibly involving the use of larger breast implants and/or judicious breast implant pocket adjustments) may be necessary to achieve an outcome that you are happier with.    Best wishes.

In time it should be easier to create more cleavage in clothes with your new increased breast size. All looks fairly normal. At 3 weeks you are about 15 percent settled, 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