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Will my textured implants drop and fluff? (photos)

They are under the muscle size 480cc Sientra textured. My nipples are low implants are high and they slope awkward and look disconected from my actual breast. They are only a size C and I am very unhappy with the size and shape will they round out and will they look bigger. My nurse assured me I was going to be fine and they will be beautiful but right now I am having a hard time believing them.

Doctor Answers 12

Will my textured implants drop and fluff?

October 10th, 2014
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Yes, based on your good description and photos, I know exactly what you mean. Early on after breast augmentation surgery, patients' breasts may look square or oblong. Then, over the course of the first several weeks/months, as breast implants “settle”, tissues relax, and swelling subsides, the breasts begin to take a more rounded, "natural" look. As this process occurs, the lower poles of the breasts “round out” and the nipple/areola complexes appear higher on the breast mounds. Sometimes, this process is referred to as “dropping and fluffing”;  most patients are much happier with the appearance and size of their breasts once this phenomenon occurs. I would suggest that you continue to follow-up with your plastic surgeon who will always be your best resource when it comes to accurate evaluation, advise, and/or reassurance. Best wishes; hopefully, you will be very pleased with the long-term outcome of the procedure performed.

Web reference: http://www.poustiplasticsurgery.com/Procedures/Procedure_breastAugmentation.htm

Tom J. Pousti, MD, FACS
October 10th, 2014

Will my textured implants drop and fluff?

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Yes, based on your good description and photos, I know exactly what you mean. Early on after breast augmentation surgery, patients' breasts may look square or oblong. Then, over the course of the first several weeks/months, as breast implants “settle”, tissues relax, and swelling subsides, the breasts begin to take a more rounded, "natural" look. As this process occurs, the lower poles of the breasts “round out” and the nipple/areola complexes appear higher on the breast mounds. Sometimes, this process is referred to as “dropping and fluffing”;  most patients are much happier with the appearance and size of their breasts once this phenomenon occurs. I would suggest that you continue to follow-up with your plastic surgeon who will always be your best resource when it comes to accurate evaluation, advise, and/or reassurance. Best wishes; hopefully, you will be very pleased with the long-term outcome of the procedure performed.

Learn more: http://www.poustiplasticsurgery.com/Procedures/Procedure_breastAugmentation.htm

Tom J. Pousti, MD, FACS

Dropping of textured implants.

January 17th, 2016
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Thank you for the photos. Dropping and fluffing are not scientific terms. If you are referring to the implants dropping and then filling out the lower pole of the breast; yes, that will usually happen. You are still early in your post operative course. Breast implants tend to start dropping into place after 3 to 4 weeks. They usually will get to their final position in 6 to 12 months. One will usually drop faster than the other, and the shape may go through changes. I would wait a while before getting sized for bras. Please follow your Board Certified Plastic Surgeon's post op instructions. For example; we like message, but some surgeons will have you wait, or do it in a specific manner. Please let them know your thoughts and concerns.

Web reference: http://www.jjrothmd.com/before-and-after/category/breast-augmentation/

Jeffrey J. Roth, MD, FACS
January 17th, 2016

Dropping of textured implants.

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Thank you for the photos. Dropping and fluffing are not scientific terms. If you are referring to the implants dropping and then filling out the lower pole of the breast; yes, that will usually happen. You are still early in your post operative course. Breast implants tend to start dropping into place after 3 to 4 weeks. They usually will get to their final position in 6 to 12 months. One will usually drop faster than the other, and the shape may go through changes. I would wait a while before getting sized for bras. Please follow your Board Certified Plastic Surgeon's post op instructions. For example; we like message, but some surgeons will have you wait, or do it in a specific manner. Please let them know your thoughts and concerns.

Learn more: http://www.jjrothmd.com/before-and-after/category/breast-augmentation/

Jeffrey J. Roth, MD, FACS

Will shaped textured implants drop and fluff?

October 7th, 2014
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In my experience with the anatomic, saline implants, shaped, textured implants will "drop and fluff", but it seems to take much longer than with a smooth, round implant.  The anatomic, silicone implants have not been available long enough in this country to make a strong statement, but I suspect the healing issues will be similar.  You have not indicated how long it has been since your surgery, but I have observed that it can take a year or more for the unnatural upper pole fullness to settle down.  When this does occur, the shaped implants tend to have a beautiful long term contour.  Talk to your surgeon about your concerns.  I hope this is helpful.
Michael S. Hopkins, MD (retired)

Michael S. Hopkins, MD (retired)
Albuquerque Plastic Surgeon
4.9 out of 5 stars 83 reviews

October 7th, 2014

Will shaped textured implants drop and fluff?

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In my experience with the anatomic, saline implants, shaped, textured implants will "drop and fluff", but it seems to take much longer than with a smooth, round implant.  The anatomic, silicone implants have not been available long enough in this country to make a strong statement, but I suspect the healing issues will be similar.  You have not indicated how long it has been since your surgery, but I have observed that it can take a year or more for the unnatural upper pole fullness to settle down.  When this does occur, the shaped implants tend to have a beautiful long term contour.  Talk to your surgeon about your concerns.  I hope this is helpful.

Michael S. Hopkins, MD (retired)
Albuquerque Plastic Surgeon

Textered Breast Implant Shape

October 7th, 2014
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Thank you for your pictures.  How long ago was your surgery? It can take 3- 6 months for any implants to settle.  Textured implants are designed to stay where they are placed.  But rest assured, if you are early in your course, you will get some settling of the implant.  Textured, shaped, "Gummy bear" implants are the newest technology, but sometimes have issues as you describe.  Fortunately, time and massage can often treat some of these deformities.  I would definitely seek the counsel of your plastic surgeon to guide you on massage.

Web reference: http://www.drpacella.com/breast-augmentation/

Salvatore Pacella, MD, MBA, FACS
October 7th, 2014

Textered Breast Implant Shape

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Thank you for your pictures.  How long ago was your surgery? It can take 3- 6 months for any implants to settle.  Textured implants are designed to stay where they are placed.  But rest assured, if you are early in your course, you will get some settling of the implant.  Textured, shaped, "Gummy bear" implants are the newest technology, but sometimes have issues as you describe.  Fortunately, time and massage can often treat some of these deformities.  I would definitely seek the counsel of your plastic surgeon to guide you on massage.

Learn more: http://www.drpacella.com/breast-augmentation/

Salvatore Pacella, MD, MBA, FACS

Textured implants dropping

October 7th, 2014
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You did not state how long post-op you are, but I assume it is less than 3 months. In my 40 year experience, textured implants do not drop much, if they are in a sub-pectoral position.  If they are sub-glandular,  they may fall in the first 6 months. My general impression after looking at your picture is that your implants are considerably too large for your chest,and that is why they are riding too high.  Consider changing them to 400cc.  By taking away the overstuffed look aon top, your nipples will then appear to be in their correct, natural location.
Paul Silverstein, MD (retired)

Paul Silverstein, MD (retired)
Oklahoma City Plastic Surgeon

October 7th, 2014

Textured implants dropping

{{ voteCount >= 0 ? '+' + (voteCount + 1) : (voteCount + 1) }}
You did not state how long post-op you are, but I assume it is less than 3 months. In my 40 year experience, textured implants do not drop much, if they are in a sub-pectoral position.  If they are sub-glandular,  they may fall in the first 6 months. My general impression after looking at your picture is that your implants are considerably too large for your chest,and that is why they are riding too high.  Consider changing them to 400cc.  By taking away the overstuffed look aon top, your nipples will then appear to be in their correct, natural location.

Paul Silverstein, MD (retired)
Oklahoma City Plastic Surgeon

Drop and fluff after breast augmentation

November 13th, 2015
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Thank you for your question. Drop and fluff refers to post-operative period in which the breasts begin to descend and fills out the lower half of the breast. It may take several months for this to happen and can be encouraged with breast massage and compression. It may appear that the breast enlarges as the lower aspect of the breast fills out (at the expense of the upper portion of the breast).  Textured implants may go through a slower and less pronounced change.  I would continue to follow up with your surgeon's office.
Young R. Cho, MD, PhD
November 13th, 2015

Drop and fluff after breast augmentation

{{ voteCount >= 0 ? '+' + (voteCount + 1) : (voteCount + 1) }}
Thank you for your question. Drop and fluff refers to post-operative period in which the breasts begin to descend and fills out the lower half of the breast. It may take several months for this to happen and can be encouraged with breast massage and compression. It may appear that the breast enlarges as the lower aspect of the breast fills out (at the expense of the upper portion of the breast).  Textured implants may go through a slower and less pronounced change.  I would continue to follow up with your surgeon's office.
Young R. Cho, MD, PhD

Breasts can takes weeks to soften and drop.

October 21st, 2014
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Breasts can takes weeks to soften and drop. Be patient and follow your surgeons recommendations. Your breasts look as they should in an early stage of healing.

Best,

Web reference: http://torontosurgery.ca/Toronto-Breast-Surgery.html

Martin Jugenburg, MD
October 21st, 2014

Breasts can takes weeks to soften and drop.

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Breasts can takes weeks to soften and drop. Be patient and follow your surgeons recommendations. Your breasts look as they should in an early stage of healing.

Best,

Learn more: http://torontosurgery.ca/Toronto-Breast-Surgery.html

Martin Jugenburg, MD

Implants dropping

October 9th, 2014
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Implants typically do drop over several, months after placement.  You do state how long ago your surgery was.  You need to wait about a year before considering revision.
Ronald J. Edelson, MD
October 9th, 2014

Implants dropping

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Implants typically do drop over several, months after placement.  You do state how long ago your surgery was.  You need to wait about a year before considering revision.
Ronald J. Edelson, MD

High riding implants

October 7th, 2014
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Your implants are riding high but they will relax within one month. you should consider placement of a breast band to promote the implants to relaxing into the pocket. Please see reference below.

Web reference: http://www.mermaidcosmetics.com/

Arian Mowlavi, MD, FACS
October 7th, 2014

High riding implants

{{ voteCount >= 0 ? '+' + (voteCount + 1) : (voteCount + 1) }}
Your implants are riding high but they will relax within one month. you should consider placement of a breast band to promote the implants to relaxing into the pocket. Please see reference below.

Learn more: http://www.mermaidcosmetics.com/

Arian Mowlavi, MD, FACS

Will my textured implants drop and fluff?

October 7th, 2014
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First of all, there is no way breast implants can get bigger. They are a fixed volume. Secondly, one of the purposes of texturing is for the implants to stick in position and not move. They aren't going to drop.
Ronald V. DeMars, MD
October 7th, 2014

Will my textured implants drop and fluff?

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First of all, there is no way breast implants can get bigger. They are a fixed volume. Secondly, one of the purposes of texturing is for the implants to stick in position and not move. They aren't going to drop.
Ronald V. DeMars, MD

These answers are for educational purposes and should not be relied upon as a substitute for medical advice you may receive from your physician. If you have a medical emergency, please call 911. These answers do not constitute or initiate a patient/doctor relationship.