My Nipples Are Very Low 1 Week After Surgery. Will They Look Better Soon?

After any breast augmentation, the implants do tend to "settle" a bit. Usually this is a dropping of the implants as the lower pole breast tissue and skin stretch in response to the implant weight. If the nipples are slightly low, this will improve their position. However, if at 4-6 months, the nipples are still low, a lift may be necessary to correct their position.

Dear Treva,

After a breast augmentation has been performed, there will be some degree of settling that occurs. This generally means that the implant will descend as


gravity acts on the implant 

the soft tissues (skin and muscle) become stretched to some degree by the implant, and its weight

the swelling of the soft tissues subsides

the muscle relaxes (if placed under the muscle)


As the implant settles, the position of the nipple will appear to elevate as it becomes more 'centered' on the breast implant. There are limits though, and you shouldn't expect more the 1 or 2 cm of change in the nipple position. When an implant settles TOO much, this is known as bottoming out. The process of settling may take between 3-6 months to be fully complete, faster if it was done over the muscle. You are at one week after surgery, it is likely too early to make judgments, especially if your surgeon said that you didn't need a breast lift.

Best regards,

Lawrence Tong MD FACS FRCSC