How long does it take for the implants to drop and fluff completely?

All patients should ignore how things look in the beginning as it takes time to see the final results. As a general guide, at 6 weeks post-op most of the swelling has settled and you can really start to appreciate how things are going to look. Of course, I advise all my patients that it typically takes 3-6 months for the breasts to fully settle into position and soften. Some people use the term “drop and fluff” to describe this stage which basically refers to the implants settling and the breast tissue softening. However, at the 4 month stage you really should be getting to your "final result". Basically it sounds like your implants are still riding up a little too high. If this is the case then you may require further surgery to adjust the implant pockets.Ideally you should see your surgeon and he/she will advise as to what if anything can be done. However, typically they would probably suggest waiting until 6 months post-op before undergoing any possible revision surgery.

Thank you for your question.  Generally speaking, implants placed in the subpectoral position (below/under the chest muscle) will take 3-4 months to settle into their ideal position.  In some instances this process will be prolonged and it can take up to 6 months, but more often than not 3-4 months is the usual time frame.  It is important that patients continue to follow up with their operating surgeon during this period of time for evaluation and to discuss any concerns that the patient may have.  In the absence of photos and a physical exam it is impossible to evaluate where you currently stand in regards to your progress.  I would recommend following up with your surgeon to evaluate your cosmetic concerns and to see if breast massages are indicated.  I hope you find this helpful and I wish you the best.

Breast augmentation is the most common aesthetic surgery in the U.S as the vast majority of patients are extremely happy with their results. 
Deciding on an implant size is the most difficult part of the breast augmentation process.   It is important to spend time with your Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon discussing the perfect breast implant size for your breast augmentation surgery. 

Patients typically go through a cycle of emotions in regards to the implant size after their breast augmentation.  Immediately after the surgery your breasts and muscle (as the implant are most commonly placed under the muscle) will be swollen.  The implants will also be higher on your chest.  As time goes on the swelling will decrease, and the implants will drop in to place. 

Patients typically feel very large immediately after surgery, then miss the fullness when the swelling resides and then finally love them when everything settles. 

It takes a couple months for the patients to achieve their final results.  Over this time the swelling will decrease and the implants will settle.  As the swelling decreases the breasts take a more natural shape.  They also soften as the swelling decreases after their breast augmentation.

The majority of patients are extremely happy with their breast augmentation results; however, it takes time for your breast reach their final size and shape. Consult with your Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon to help guide you through your breast augmentation process.  

Usually it takes about 6 weeks for breast implants to “drop and fluff”. It can take a little longer with IDEAL implants, sometimes up to 8 weeks. The implants will continue to soften and settle beyond this, typically it takes a full year to truly see the final results.

Thanks for your question...Its hard to say without seeing you in person and your before photos. Some patients can take up to 6 months for implants to settle. You may benefit from massage however please speak to your surgeon before doing so. You can learn more on our social media (Instagram and Snapchat): @realdrsix.

Regards,

Drop and fluff refers to breast implants settling down in the pocket under the muscle and filling out the breast tissue at the level of the breast fold. The average amount of time for implants to drop and fluff is 6-8 weeks. However, there are a lot of factors that can make this process take longer. Larger implants will take longer to drop down. Patients who are muscular with lots of upper body strength will hold the implants up tighter and longer. Patients who exercise their chest with weights will take longer to drop. Also patients who do a lot of activity with their arms will take longer to drop. This happens because the chest muscle is attached to the arm at the armpit. Lots of repetitive motion of the arms such as sweeping, etc. constantly flexes the chest muscle making the implants stay higher. 

Hi.  If your implants are beneath the pectoralis muscle, the space between them is limited by the width of your breast bone. Implants placed through the arm pit or areola may not get positioned low enough, but more likely you have sagging of the breasts that was not corrected. By 4 months, the muscle should have relaxed completely and the pocket capsule maturation is well on its way--a revision may be necessary.  Have an examination by your PS who knows the details of your surgery.  Best wishes,

Thank you for your question and congratulations on your surgery. Implants take a full six months to settle. Even after four months, you should have some noticeable settling that takes place over the next two months. If you have concerns, make sure to reach out to your plastic surgeon so that they can give you some helpful answers.

What does drop and fluff mean?  Please excuse me but in 12 years of practice I have never heard the "fluff" term- at least in reference to breast implants.  Drop - yep - implants drop in time - I tell my patients that they should have almost completely "dropped" by 3 months but truthfully  they are mostly there by three weeks. 

It generally takes about 4-6 months before the implants have settled and are at their final result.At this point, as long as the implants are soft and they move, I would give it another 2 couple of months to position themselves.  I would re-evaluate your results with your plastic surgeon at 6 months time to see how things are.  Hope that helps.

It is too early to consider any revision surgery at 4 months post-op.

Regardless of the position of the implants, the breasts will be high up, and wide apart during the first few weeks and sometimes up to few months. But will gradually come together, settle in place, and feels soft and part of your body. This “Drop & Settle” period varies between patients and depend on factors such as position of implant (subglandular implants settle faster than submuscular implants), type of texture of implant (Smooth and Micro textured implants drop faster in place), and the patient’s anatomy (for example it takes longer for stronger muscle to relax and allow the implant to settle).

Although many start noticing the results weeks to few months post-op, I always ask my patients to allow 9 and sometime up to 12 months (with submuscular augmentation), to see the final outcome.

I believe that post-op massaging, significantly impacts the “Drop & Settle” of implants. At 4-6 weeks post-op, I advise my patients to start massaging their breasts for 10-15 minutes per day, following a specific massage protocol, for 3-4 months to come. This will not only promote faster healing, including nerve regeneration, but will also facilitate a faster settling of the implants.

In terms of the gap between breasts, it is important to realise that as a surgeon, we can only reduce the gap by 1cm, i.e. 0.5cm from each side without increasing the risk of complications. It means that, if you have a normal gap to start with, you should expect to have a normal gap once your breasts have settled in place, but if your breasts were wide apart pre-op, then unfortunately they will remain wide apart following augmentation surgery, with a difference of being 1cm closer than before surgery.

I would recommend that you arrange an appointment with your surgeon to discuss your concerns, options and aftercare at this stage.

Wish you all the best.