Will I always have a large chest gap? I'm 3 days post-op and I'm worried it will be permanent? (photo)

Question

Ok I know I'm only 3 days post-op but freaking out over my chest. I know it's such early days yet but I'm so worried I'm forever going to have this huge gap between my breasts. I'm being impatient and just want to know if there's a way of helping them come together throughout recovery?

Nelson Castillo, MD · Answer

Thank you for sharing your question and photograph.  The gap between a woman's breast is largely determined by the width of her breastbone and the attachment of her muscles to her rib cage.  Though this can be subtly adjusted with implants it can not always be made narrow as it can cause synmastia or uniboob to develop.  Allow your swelling to resolve and your results to mature over the next 6 months and then revisit your results.

Dallas Buchanan, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question and picture. The gap between the breasts is mostly determined by a patient's anatomy prior to surgery. This can somewhat be changed at the time of surgery but often attempts to correct this result in unnatural results (outward pointing nipples) or symmastia. Sometimes after augmentation, this gap can appear more prominent due to the relative projection of the implant after surgery. I think that based on your picture (and without seeing your pre-op photos), I would not recommend you worrying about achieving closer implants in the middle of your chest. I think this will produce outward pointing nipples and an unnatural result. Best to stick with the anatomy you were given. Hope this helps!

Tom J. Pousti, MD · Answer

Congratulations on having undergone the breast augmentation procedure. Your plastic surgeon will always be your best resource when it comes to accurate assessment and advice.Many of my patients report that as the swelling around the breast implants (for example, in the sternal area) decreases, they feel that their breasts appear more projecting (and that they have better "cleavage"). Also, in my opinion, the "drop and fluff” phenomenon does hold some validity; as breast implants “settle”, many patients feel that their breasts actually look larger. Similarly, it takes a few months for the breasts to "soften" in most cases.  Most of my patients tell me that their breast implants feel "part of them" somewhere between 3 to 6 months after surgery was performed.  There is definitely a physiologic and "psychological" (body image)  adaptation process that occurs, at differing rates for every patient, for patients who undergo any type of aesthetic surgery, including breast  augmentation surgery.  Understandably, patients often experience significant emotional "ups and downs" around the time of surgery.
 Best wishes for an outcome that you will be very pleased with.

David S. Motoki, MD · Answer

The gap between breast implants is mostly determined by the width of the breast bone (sternum). Placing the implants above the chest muscles (pectoralis major) can narrow the gap a little but can result in implant visibility or having the implant pockets connect (symmastia). Correction of these problems requires additional surgery. Also, there are a number of long term benefits associated with placing the implants under the chest muscles. Best to let your surgeon know about your concern.

Frank Conroy, MBChB, MRCS, FRCS(Plast) · Answer

In answer to your question....yes you will always have this gap.  The 'footprint' of the breast is determined by your body and disrupting this will likely cause deformity and problems.  If you had a wide gap before your BA then you will still have a wide gap after your BA.
I counsel my patients on this before the procedure.

Will I always have a large chest gap? I'm 3 days post-op and I'm worried it will be permanent? (photo)

Answers (6)

Answer: Gap Between Breast Implants

Answer: Gap Between Breast Implants

Answer: Cleavage

Answer: Cleavage

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Everything you need to know about Breast Implants

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Will I always have a large chest gap? I'm 3 days post-op and I'm worried it will be permanent? (photo)

Answers (6)

Answer: Gap Between Breast Implants

Answer: Gap Between Breast Implants

Answer: Cleavage

Answer: Cleavage

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Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Breast Implants

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