I'm 18 days post op Breast Augmentation with a lift: Swelling on Sternum - How can I reduce it? (photos)

Question

I am 18 days post op after BA with a lift. My implant's width is smaller than my BWD and under the muscle. I've had swelling over my sternum since surgery. My PS had me begin doing cleavage massages one day post-op, and that helped reduce the swelling a lot, but it is still there. I've been sleeping on my back at an incline and icing occasionally. I haven't really been worried about symmastia, but the swelling does make me nervous. How can I help the swelling go down?

Yucel Sarialtin, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question and photos, Based on your photos, I can see that is really swelling but it is normal since you are very recent. What I recommend is that you see your plastic surgeon and maybe I will recommend using a band for the bust which is what I usually recommend to my patients after a breast implant surgery.
good luck!

Joe Gryskiewicz, MD, FACS · Answer

Hi,keep seeing your surgeon!  Have him or her examine this area.  It is very, very common to have body fluid build up (edema) over the breast bone after implants.  If you push in with your finger, often you can see a dent which lasts a short time.  So probably no cause for alarm, but keep your surgeon in the loop. Limit your salt intake (pizza, popcorn, peanuts, fast food) to help the fluid clear more rapidly.  Ice will not help this late in the game. All the best, "Dr. Joe"

Katerina M. Gallus, MD, FACS · Answer

Hello and thank you for your question and photos.  You are still very early post op and some swelling is to be expected.  You may benefit from a breast band but I would advise that you seek follow up with your plastic surgeon to get an inperson exam and the most appropriate guidance.  In the meantime you are doing all the right things as instructed.
Best of luck with your recovery!
Katerina Gallus MD FACS

Stephen W. Gordon, MD · Answer

Your implants are large, tall and high, and yes you do have mild synmastia.This may be unavoidable especially if your presternal skin is mobile preoperatively, the base width of the implant is a cm. (or more) less than your breast base width, and the implant is under the muscle.  The upper pole of your breast is overly full, however this may be something you like.   In that you are 2.5 weeks post op, it is doubtful that your implants will "drop" into a lower, symmetrical position without additional surgery.  If those same implants are moved down, your  synmastia will probably move down too (into the central cleavage area). There is not much you can do to make the swelling go down short of switching to a smaller implant which would have less volume, less projection, less width and less lifting of the presternal skin.

Frederic H. Corbin, MD (license restricted) · Answer

Thank you for the photos and I would ask my MD for a symmastia bra and a strap as your implants appear to be both high and close to the midline.Dr. Corbin

I'm 18 days post op Breast Augmentation with a lift: Swelling on Sternum - How can I reduce it? (photos)

Answers (5)