Why is one breast softer than the other?

Question

I had breast augmentation 3 weeks ago, I had 250 cc submuscular left breast and 275cc right breast, round silicone, the left breast, most sweeling has gone & it is beginning to feel softer and look natural, however the right breast, with the larger implant is still firm and appears a little rounder looking. Is this common & is it likely to soften over time and appear more similar to the left?

Martin Jugenburg, MD · Answer

At this point you are early in the healing process. Your implants will continue to settle, change shape and soften within  6 weeks to 3 months. Follow up with your surgeon as directed. Regards,

Nelson Castillo, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question.  Because surgery results in swelling to the breast skin and underlying muscle, it will have a tendency to flatten and elevate implants.  As this resolves, the implants will drop and soften, assuming a more natural shape.  In your case it would be expected that the larger implant would take a little while longer to heal than the smaller but I would anticipate it to match your left breast in the next week or two. Hope this helps.

Ram Kalus, MD, FACS · Answer

Your best advice is to speak with your plastic surgeon. If you are not satisfied, you should seek a second opinion for an experienced board certified plastic surgeon. Three weeks is very early in your post-operative period and too early to draw any conclusions regarding asymmetry, either visually, or with symptoms. You should be in close contact with your plastic surgeon and his or her office. They should be hiding you through this healing phase and answering any and all questions that you might have. Best of luck to you.

Jaime S. Schwartz, MD, FACS · Answer

I appreciate your question.

Right now, you are very early on in the
post op recovery period. 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. Rest, relax, recover and heal. Please Express your concerns to your surgeon so
he/she can examine you at this time. Then reassess final result at 6 months.

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

Adam J. Oppenheimer, MD, FACS · Answer

I have found this to be true many times. The side that required the larger implant (i.e. the smaller breast) has a higher and tighter feel to it early on. That's because the skin was TIGHTER to begin with AND the implant was bigger. Hang in there.

Steven J. Rottman, MD, FACS · Answer

Thank you for your question and congratulations on your recent surgery. . You are very early in the post-operative period and swelling is to be expected. It typically takes 3 - 6 months for the swelling to subside and the implants to settle into proper position. Swelling usually accounts for 10 - 15% of the initial post-operative appearance. The implants may swell asymmetrically, but usually settle evenly. Please discuss your concerns with your board certified plastic surgeon. Also, make sure you follow all of your plastic surgeons post-operative instructions regarding level of physical activity and use of a support bra. Hope this helps and good luck with your recovery.

Lawrence Rosenberg, MD · Answer

At 3 weeks it is not unusual for one implant to feel softer than the other.  Give it some time, this should resolve itself.

Steven Wallach, MD · Answer

Each breast will heal slightly differently and at a different rate due to the  normal asymmetry of the two breasts. If concerned, speak to your surgeon.

Tom J. Pousti, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question. Your plastic surgeon will always be your best resource when it comes to an accurate assessment of your situation, advice, predictions, and/or meaningful reassurance.
Generally speaking, breast implants will "drop" into the pocket that was created during surgery and massaging the implants downward may assist in the dropping of the implants after surgery (for those patients who want to help with the settling of the implants). The rate of breast implant "settling" may depend on factors such as size of breast implant pocket dissected, tightness of the overlying skin/muscle layers, and size of breast implant utilized. Normally, it takes about 3-6 months (for some patients longer) to see the final result. It is very common for one side to settle (and "soften") faster than the other. 
Again, best to follow your plastic surgeon for more specifics. Best wishes for an outcome that you will be pleased with long-term.

Kyle Shaddix, MD · Answer

I wouldn't worry about it very much at this time.  Three weeks is quite early.  The smaller breast has a tighter skin envelope covering it.  Combine that with placement of a larger implant on that side and you get a breast that feels more firm and looks higher at first.  Your tissues will soften to accommodate the larger implant and eventually look much more natural and symmetric.  Again, 3 weeks is super early.  At three months I am confident you will feel much better about your result.  I wish you the best.

Why is one breast softer than the other?

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