Does breast size increase after the implants drop?

Question

I like the way the 440 cc hp gummy bear sizers look on my body with clothes on.... However based on pictures i have seen, it looks to me as if the breast size increases once they have dropped. Is this true? If i get 440 cc and this puts me at a full C/small D size, will theu become DD once they have dropped?

Jaime S. Schwartz, MD, FACS · Answer

I appreciate your question.It will take 3-6 months for you to feel comfortable
having implants in your body and for them to settle. This time allows for you
to physically and psychologically adapt to your new body image. There are many
variables that contribute to a breast augmentation's final result. Preop size
and shape, IMF location, location of the implants and type of implant. Patients
heal at different rates and each breast will sometimes heal at a different
rate. You will not lose any volume but the way your implant sits on your chest wall will change, and can result in different ‘fills’ to your bra.

The best way to assess and give true
advice would be an in-person exam.

Please see a board-certified plastic
surgeon that specializes in aesthetic and restorative breast surgery.

Best of luck!

Dr. Schwartz

Board
Certified Plastic Surgeon

Director-Beverly
Hills Breast and Body Institute

#RealSelf100Surgeon

Curtis Wong, MD · Answer

I always increase the implant size by 10% to help better produce that look that my patient saw with her sizers in her unlined bra.  So your 440 cc sizer would translate to an implant 480+ cc.  And breasts do not increase in volume with settling... you just have a redistribution of your volume more towards your lower pole.

Tom J. Pousti, MD · Answer

Thank you for the question. In my opinion, the "drop and fluff” phenomenon does hold some validity; as breast implants “settle”, many patients feel that their breasts actually look larger. Ultimately, careful communication of your goals (in my practice I prefer the use of goal pictures, direct examination/communication in front of a full-length mirror, in bra sizers, and computer imaging) as well as careful measurements (dimensional planning) will be critical.
Generally speaking, the best online advice I can give to ladies who are considering breast augmentation surgery ( regarding breast implant size/profile selection) is:1. Concentrate on choosing your plastic surgeon carefully. Concentrate on appropriate training, certification, and the ability of the plastic surgeon to achieve the results you are looking for. Ask to see lots of examples of his/her work.
2. Have a full discussion and communication regarding your desired goals with your plastic surgeon. This communication will be critical in determining breast implant size/type/profile will most likely help achieve your goals. 
In my practice, the use of photographs of “goal” pictures (and breasts that are too big or too small) is very helpful. For example, I have found that the use of know words such as “natural” or "C or D cup” etc means different things to different people and therefore prove unhelpful.
Also, as you know, cup size varies depending on him who makes the bra; therefore, discussing desired cup size may also be inaccurate. Again, the use of computer imaging has been very helpful during the communication process, in our practice.
3. Once you feel you have communicated your goals clearly, allow your plastic surgeon to use his/her years of experience/judgment to choose the breast implant size/profile that will best meet your goals. Again, in my practice, this decision is usually made during surgery, after the use of temporary intraoperative sizers.I hope this (and the attached link, dedicated to breast augmentation surgery concerns) helps. Best wishes for an outcome that you will be very pleased with.

Marc J. Salzman, MD, FACS (retired) · Answer

Implant dropping implies that the implant is now better lined up with the center of the breast.  While in some photographs it may appear larger, in reality they are not.  The ultimate size of your breast when augmented is the volume that you naturally have plus the volume of the implant.  Once the implant is in it cannot change size and typically the swelling that appears after surgery will resolve in a few weeks and the breast may appear smaller not larger.  With a shell sizing system that Mentor has, that look that you are seeing in the office will be very close to what you will look like with breast implants after your swelling has resolved in a month or so.  Best of luck.

Brooke R. Seckel, MD, FACS (retired) · Answer

breast shape and size normalize after implants have dropped.  The actual volume or size of implant does not increase but breast projection certainly can increase as the tissues expand, soft and and the implant ascends into a pocket beneath the nipple areola.  Thus the breast does project more after implants have dropped.

Does breast size increase after the implants drop?

Answers (5)

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