8 months post breast lift with implants - right hasn’t dropped. Is this normal? Is the pocket too small? (Photo)

Question

I got a breast lift with implants 8 months ago with 540cc gummy bear implants under the muscle. I previously had tubular breasts and that’s why I got a lift. My left has dropped perfectly but my right is being super stubborn. The surgeon says the tissue is still soft but I’m wondering why it hasn’t dropped yet. I do my stretches, salonpas patches the loosen the muscle and massage. I’m curious is this is normal or if the pocket that was created is too small. Thoughts?

Semih Yildiz, MD, FEPOBRAS · Answer

In the photo, one implant does appear to sit higher and tighter than the other. At 8 months after a lift with submuscular implants, most of the normal settling has usually happened, so persistent asymmetry can be related to muscle tightness, capsule formation, implant position, or the pocket being too high or too tight rather than simple delayed dropping.

An in-person exam is needed to tell which of these is present. I would not rely on patches or aggressive massage at this point without your surgeon's guidance; if the position remains unchanged, a revision such as pocket adjustment/capsulotomy or implant repositioning may be discussed with your plastic surgeon.

Connie Hiers, MD, FACS · Answer

Actually, one implant is sitting somewhat high and the other is sitting somewhat low. You may now have a capsule and need surgical release. However, you can try oral Accolate and external ultrasound treatments first to see if the higher side will drop.

Camille Cash, MD · Answer

At eight months post op it is unlikely that your implant will drop on its own even with stretching and massage.  If you had tubular breasts, that could impact what is occurring.   Surgical intervention will likely be needed to correct the position.

Mats Hagstrom, MD (license on probation) · Answer

To make an assessment on the outcome of the plastic surgery procedure we always need to see proper before and after pictures. If you don’t have before, and after pictures, then ask your surgeon to forward the pictures they took. Patients who have it tubular breast often have some asymmetry, and this can sometimes help explain asymmetry present after surgery.
Your implants look quite large, especially considering that your base diameter was probably smaller than normal if you had tubular breast.
Using breast implants with a diameter significantly bigger than the natural diameter of your breast forces, the implant pocket to violate the natural boundaries of the breast. It’s generally better to leave the inframammary pocket border in tact, because when this area is violated, he can lead to implants bottoming out.
Follow up with your provider or schedule a few in person second opinion consultations. For second opinion consultations always come prepared bringing with you a complete set up before and after pictures and a copy of your previous operative report. These are all available from your current provider, if you request them.
Best,
Mats Hagstrom, MD

8 months post breast lift with implants - right hasn’t dropped. Is this normal? Is the pocket too small? (Photo)

Answers (4)

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