I Had Breast Augmentation Surgery 8 Weeks Ago and my Right Implant Still Hasn't Dropped? (photo)

At 8 weeks post-op it's good to hear that your left implant has dropped into what you feel is "completely settled" position and "looks great." Your right implant is still somewhat high, and the "saggy skin" is actually your incompletely-filled breast skin. As your right implant drops into optimal position, this will gradually diminish and look much more like your left breast now does.

The fact that breast implants drop, soften, and settle at different rates is more common than not, simply because there may be asymmetry in muscle bulk (R handed-ness?), post-op swelling (perhaps faster absorption if you are L-handed), or simply slightly more bruising, bleeding, or scar formation on the R compared to the L. Truly normal, and quite common, actually!

At this point in time, if your surgeon is not already doing so, I would recommend not only upward implant movement exercises to stretch and soften the muscles and your implant pockets, but adding downward stretch exercises to the R capsule. I have my patients do these implant movement exercises (often incorrectly called "massage") every few hours at first, then several times per day after several weeks, but continuing until position is equalized. (Then a supportive bra to slow any further "dropping' as tissues heal and scars mature.) I would also have you wear an elastic bandeau above your R breast and below the L (assuming your L is exactly where you and your surgeon want it to be) at night--wear a T-shirt over the bandeau and safety pin it to the T-shirt to keep the elastic strap where you want it. The asymmetric pressure will help stretch your high R implant pocket and allow the implant to drop into progressively better position!

Until your capsule scar matures (fades and softens just like your external incision scar), you can still actively "modify" it with stretching and pressure. Average scar maturation takes 7 months, according to wound healing studies. Individual patients vary, but at 8 weeks, you still have a great opportunity to improve your "final" look for the nest several months! Be patient--sometimes this is slow, but usually effective!

If things don't look like you want by 6-8 months post-op, then re-operation would likely be recommended. You may want to consider switching to softer, more natural-feeling (and less ripply) cohesive silicone gel implants at that time. Best wishes! Dr. Tholen

Thank you for the photos, especially pre operative.  You are still early in your post operative course. Breast implants tend to start dropping into place after 3 to 4 weeks. They usually will get to their final position in 6 to 12 months. One will usually drop faster than the other, and the shape may go through changes.  Please follow your Board Certified Plastic Surgeon's post op instructions. For example; we like message, but some surgeons will have you wait, or do it in a specific manner. Please let them know your thoughts and concerns.

Thank you for your question. You may want to consider a bra strap to influence the decent of the implants within the breasts over the first six months after surgery as it usually takes several months for the breasts to settle out. You can also try aggressive breast massage with most of the effort being directed at moving the implant downwards.  You may also want revisit with your surgeon once the implants settle and consider a lift to move the nipples to a higher position.