I'd like your input on my situation, I'm 8 wks PO could my issue be slow to drop, poor pocket dissection, CC? (Photos)

Question

I've had an awful experience from start to finish and no longer working with my surgeon. I am in tears over what I'm afraid will be my final result. My right side experienced significantly more swelling in the upper pole from the very beginning (since about two days post-op) and is my dominant side. Very athletic. The left dropped relatively quickly during 3-5 wks. It's a very nice shape and size notwithstanding the awful scarring. Not the right (your left). I've been using massage, supplements, compression band, and now K-tape.

Lawrence Iteld, MD · Answer

I am sorry to hear about your recovery and that your results are not as you would have hoped. Fortunately, in most cases, mild asymmetries work themselves out over time. However, for patients who do not achieve the desires results and the asymmetry remains prominent, revision surgery is a possibility. I typically recommend that we allow at least 3 months, preferably 6 months, to allow things to settle before revision surgery. I would recommend an in-person assessment to check implant position and tissue quality. Also, it would be very helpful if you could bring pre-operative photos taken by your original surgeon and the operative report to your consultations.

Good luck and stay positive!

Brian K. Reedy, MD · Answer

Hi & thanks for your question. 
I am sorry you have had a bad experience. Breast implants can drop at different rates. It may take up to 6 months for the implants to drop and settle into position. If you are unhappy I would recommend seeing a board certified plastic surgeon for a second opinion. Best wishes!

Don W. Griffin, MD · Answer

Based on your provided history and photos, I suspect that you developed a hematoma in the right breast. When this happens, most of the blood will eventually reabsorb, but if it is not drained early, the pocket can form on the inside of the layered old blood and end up being smaller than it was originally dissected. This makes the implant pocket tighter and often higher up on the chest. At 8 weeks, you may not change much more, but there is no downside to waiting another month to see if anything settles with more time. 
Fortunately, this is a fairly easy problem to correct with a simple procedure to release  and enlarge the capsule, but it will take another surgery to do so.

Daniel Barrett, MD · Answer

Dear progress4sake,
dropping of implants is part of the healing process and this occurs after the tissues surrounding the implants slowly relax, allowing the implants to settle into their final position. It can take about four to six months for the implant to drop down to their final position.I understand that you are worried about your implants are not dropping as expected. However, you are still in the early phase of the recovery period. Please do allow some time for the healing process to occur. If after six months, you are not satisfied with the appearance of your breast, you can visit your plastic surgeon and discuss your concerns.
Daniel Barrett, MD
Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

Nelson Castillo, MD · Answer

Thank you for sharing your question and photographs and I am sorry to hear of your struggles after surgery. Unfortunately without an in-person examination it is difficult to offer advice, most likely this soon after surgery the pocket may have been made too small, but without feeling the tissues and knowing greater details of your recovery I would advise seeking second opinions from other local surgeons.

I'd like your input on my situation, I'm 8 wks PO could my issue be slow to drop, poor pocket dissection, CC? (Photos)

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Answer: I'd like your input on my situation, I'm 8 wks PO could my issue be slow to drop, poor pocket dissection, CC?

Answer: I'd like your input on my situation, I'm 8 wks PO could my issue be slow to drop, poor pocket dissection, CC?

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I'd like your input on my situation, I'm 8 wks PO could my issue be slow to drop, poor pocket dissection, CC? (Photos)

Answers (7)

Answer: BA results

Answer: BA results

Answer: I'd like your input on my situation, I'm 8 wks PO could my issue be slow to drop, poor pocket dissection, CC?

Answer: I'd like your input on my situation, I'm 8 wks PO could my issue be slow to drop, poor pocket dissection, CC?

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Everything you need to know about Breast Implants

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.