Good question!Let's answer this simply--implants neither swell nor shrink, only you and your tissues swell (and eventually shrink as healing progresses!) SO, as long as you're still healing, change is still coming. How much is the question!Over time, tissues lose surgical swelling from blood and inflammatory response to surgery (fluid), and these same tissues stretch and firmness softens. Most of this occurs in the first few weeks after surgery, as your own photos show so nicely. Implants don't gain or lose volume (size), but they DO drop as gravity pulls them downward. To some extent, this depends on the size of the implant, and the tautness (or laxity) of your tissues that cover and support those implants. BTW, it's easier to support B-size breasts than DD or DDD breasts, but you already knew that!Complete healing takes 6-12 months, so you will see continued changes over this length of time. Those late changes will certainly be less dramatic than the early ones, since the bulk of what is going to happen has already done so.You will see this referred-to as "dropping and fluffing," but I prefer the terminology of softening, settling, and dropping. You can search the former slang and see why I choose not to use those terms.Regardless of terminology, some women perceive dropping, softening, and settling (particularly as swelling in the tissues AROUND the breasts goes down) of their implants as a subtle INCREASE in size, but it's mostly the improvement in definition of the creases, cleavage, and enhanced fullness in the teardrop shape of soft breasts. BTW, round implants do NOT give round breasts when upright--round implants appear teardrop-shaped when you are upright, and they flatten and round out when you are reclining, just like "real" larger breasts. But only if they are soft, and the capsules surrounding the implants are thin, soft, and pliable. Breasts that are firm, high, and round (nude) have implants with capsular contracture--which is tightness and thickening in the scar that surrounds all implants. Breasts with CC stay round like Tupperware bowls under your skin when reclining. The breasts don't move or jiggle, and these are far from "natural." CC makes implants feel like croquet balls in your vest pockets when you hug someone.Not good.Some women like the high, round, "fake" look, and that is fine as long as the breasts are soft when not pushed up with a bra. But they shouldn't look like "Baywatch coconuts" naked--THAT'S capsular contracture!You already look quite nice, and the fullness provided by your implants is constant and unchanging. Gravity works on those implants, however, and they only go one way under the effects of gravity! Add to that the effects of aging, loss of elasticity and collagen content, and you now know why there are only saggy boobs in the nursing home! Those with breast implants will have the best breasts in the senior center, that is, unless they develop CC, malposition, or drop too much with years and age.For now, the best way to maintain your appearance is to stay slim, exercise, wear a supportive bra (especially when exercising, running, horseback riding, etc.) and have good genetics. Whoops, can't choose the latter . . . but, you can choose the rest. Over the next several months, you won't see very much reduction in size OR swelling--that's mostly done. Once you get to a year post-op, only changes in your weight and exercise will affect your breasts in the short term, Longer-term, well, you know what is going to happen! Best wishes! Dr. Tholen
