Does the Shape of Breast Implants Change As They Settle?

Yes, over a 6-9 month period , you will notice less upper body fullness and greater lower polefullness

Thank you for your question.Although every effort is made to place the #implants symmetrically,
complete symmetry is rarely achieved. Immediately after #augmentation surgery, the #breasts
are swollen and firmer. The final #shape of your breasts will start to
look its best approximately three months after surgery. It takes time for
the skin and muscle to stretch and relax around the new #implant. The breast will
often look higher, firmer, and “less natural” in the first three months. It
can take up to a year to see your final result.

To shape of the breast implant does not change as they settle but the shape of the breasts will. Usually after about ) months or so, the implants gradually settle to their final position. This results in loss of the upper fullness and a more natural looking breasts. In reality , most plastic surgeons consider this pre-op and place implants slightly higher than their final position.

At five days after surgery, it is way too early to worry about the final shape.  You have to give time for them to settle and the swelling to dissipate.

I will assume you have your implants in the submuscular position.  In this case, the implants should begin to drop after about 3 to 4 weeks after surgery.  The upper pole shape in this case is due to muscle spasm, which will improve.

Do not be alarmed. All is not lost. A few comments.
First, creating symmetric breast pocket for the implants and checking for symmetry with the patient sitting upright during breast augmentation surgery is not unique to New York as may have been construed. Rather I do it, my friends across the country do it this way and I suspect the vast majority of Plastic surgeons do it this way to increase the quality of their procedures. There is NO evidence that your surgeon in Toronto did not do it resulting in this upper pole irregularity.
Second, 5 days is way too soon to worry. I would NOT wear any support for 7-14 days to allow for implant descent and recommend you ask your surgeon for his/her opinion on if and when to initiate massage.
Lastly, yes - there could be mechanical reasons (IE hematoma, under dissected pocket, flipped implant, rotation of anatomical implant, etc) but in the vast majority of cases, you may find out that the condition you are so worried about now, like countless other "emergencies" in our lives, may very well sort itself out. So why invest all this stress into it? If you are still not happy with the way things look in 6-8 months or so, only then would I recommend going in and repairing it.
Good Luck.

I would politely disagree with Dr. Beraka. Breast surgery is the primary focus of my practice and I have never had a patient whose breasts looked the same on the day after surgery as they did 2-5 months after surgery. I place the great majority of the implants I use partially under the muscle and I expect them to sit a little higher after placement. As the lower breast tissue relawes with a combination of time and with the assist of implant massage in smooth implants, the implants do drop or settle into a more natural shape.
I would follow your plastic surgeons recommendations as you are very early in your recovery and be patient.
I wish you well.
Dr Edwards

Hello. Thank you for your inquiry and congratulations on your surgery! It is important to have an in-person medical assessment regarding this issue as it is difficult to determine virtually. Continue to update your doctor in the matter and follow their post-op protocol.

Please ensure to get cleared by your doctor before engaging in specific physical activity before the 3 month healing period has ended as the healing stage is crucial for healthy results.

It generally takes around 6 months to a year to see your final results. Your tissues will take time to relax and allow your implants to "Drop and Fluff" settling into place. Should a revision cross your mind, it is best to wait at least 6 months to a year before doing so.

Our tips for recovery following breast augmentation are to wear a supportive sports bra for 3 months post-operative and refrain from lifting anything heavier than 10 lbs for 3 weeks as we don't want any strain at your incision sites. Make sure to keep the area of your stitches clean by cleansing with hydrogen peroxide daily. Showering is encouraged! But, no sitting in water for 2 weeks following surgery (no baths, hot tubs, pools etc.).

Please note that this response does not substitute patient-doctor relationship. We welcome any and all patients seeking advice to come in for a complimentary consultation available for limited time only.

During the COVID-19, we are offering complimentary online consultations as well as in-office consultation with social distancing and masks. Procedure done in-hospital private surgical facility while taking covid-19 precautions. We utilize UV-light to clean the air of viruses and bacteria during our consultations and surgery. We invite you to come in to discuss your options more thoroughly. Please send us an email at info@drkaraplasticsurgery.com with the subject line: "Attention Meagan" and we will be happy to coordinate your appointment!
M.Kara,MD,FRCSC (27+ years experience) - Specializing in 24 hour recovery/ out to dinner breast augmentation in-hospital private surgical facility for your added safety and peace of mind

I respectfully disagree also with Dr. Beraka.  I almost always see "high-riding" implants five days post-op.  Nor is it unusual to see some asymmetry at this stage.  I do feel that it is important to apply some sort of pressure at the top of the breasts to encourage the implants to descend into a more desirable position.

 As usual, I have to agree with Dr. Aldea.  I have been sitting patients up during surgery to check their breasts for 25+ years now so it is nothing unique to Manhattan based surgeons.  
Additionally, at only 5 days, you might have some muscle spasm or differential swelling causing what you see.  Also, it might not be as much as you think as patients commonly overestimate their asymmetries especially if they are an anxious type of person.  They also usually fail to realize that much of post-op asymmetry is just the magnification of their pre-existing pre-op asymmetries.  
Just relax, stick with your doctor's advice and see them again early if you remain concerned.