What exactly does the "fluff" mean in the term "Drop and Fluff"?

Question

Dr. Melinda Haws MD answered my other question, and mentioned my implants would look better after they have had a chance to "drop and fluff". I've heard this term mentioned a few times before. I can understand the drop, but what exactly does the fluff mean?

Richard H. Tholen, MD, FACS · Answer

After breast augmentation, there will always be some degree of tightness and surgical
swelling, possibly slightly more with submuscular implant placement (most
common location). As this swelling diminishes, and as the skin, breast, and
muscular tissues stretch and accommodate the implants,  implant position
almost always drops to some degree (unless capsular contracture is occurring),
and the breasts will become softer and more teardrop in appearance. This, of
course, is highly dependent upon the age, breast-feeding history, weight
gain-and-loss history, and natural elasticity and collagen content of each
woman's breasts, not to mention whether or not the woman's muscles are those of
a body-builder or a couch potato. This dropping, softening, and settling of
implants and breast tissues apparently has been given the non-medical lay
terminology "dropping and fluffing."

Until I saw this terminology used on this site, I actually thought "fluffing"
was something done by female "assistants" to keep male porn actors "ready" for filming. So
you won't catch me using this slang term for my augmentation patients. You really shouldn't either.What happens as tissue soften and stretch (assuming you are not in the unfortunate group of patients who develop capsular contracture), is that the implants will assume a lower position on the chest wall, and will project outward slightly more as the muscular and skin tension covering the implants relaxes a bit. If surgery was precise and hemostasis meticulous, you will have had minimal swelling and bruising, and the stretch and drop can often be perceived as slight enlargement as the projection improves and pressure inward on the implants diminishes. Otherwise, if your swelling, bruising, and bleeding caused much more swelling, this gradually goes down and size and position reach their "final" appearance. This takes 6-12 months, not weeks.Let's all agree to not use the term "fluff," shall we? Best wishes! Dr. Tholen

Larry S. Nichter, MD, MS, FACS · Answer

Two things happen and seem paradoxical. As as the swelling  goes down there will be some shrinkage but at the same time as the muscle relaxes your breast projection grows. In general the breast shape and size proportionality improves..Breast implants initially after surgery when placed in a submuscular position often give superior fullness that corrects itself with time, the "fluff and drop" phenomena. In reality the pectoralis major muscle takes a while to adjust its size to accommodate the implant as well as occasional muscle spasm which keeps the implant projection higher than its final resting shape. Additional variables include:laxity of skin, size difference during prior pregnancies, position of implant,size of muscle, and size of implant.As the muscle relaxes the projection of the implant often increases and the breast shape improves. Massage and use of a superior placed elastic strap can often make this process go faster.

Young R. Cho, MD, PhD · Answer

Thank you for your question.. Drop and fluff refers to post-operative period in which the breasts begin to descend and fills out the lower half of the breast.  It may take several months for this to happen and can be encouraged with breast massage and compression.  It may appear that the breast enlarges as the lower aspect of the breast fills out (at the expense of the upper portion of the breast)

Tom J. Pousti, MD · Answer

The phenomenon of “dropping and fluffing” occurs several weeks to several months after breast augmentation surgery.  The breasts MAY appear larger as the implants "settle" lower on the chest wall. The nipple/areola complexes may also appear higher on the breast mounds as this occurs. Best wishes.

Thomas Fiala, MD, FACS, FRCSC · Answer

This is a term that is only heard on internet breast surgery chat rooms, I think!After 2-3 months post breast implant surgery, your tissues (muscle and skin) relax a bit.  The smooth implant can then gradually "drop" into its final position, and the tissues aren't quite so tight, so the breast shape looks more relaxed, less flat and more rounder (hence the "fluff")All the best!

What exactly does the "fluff" mean in the term "Drop and Fluff"?

Answers (9)

Answer: What exactly does the "fluff" mean in the term "Drop and Fluff"?

Answer: What exactly does the "fluff" mean in the term "Drop and Fluff"?

Answer: "Drop and fluff"

Answer: "Drop and fluff"

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.

What exactly does the "fluff" mean in the term "Drop and Fluff"?

Answers (9)

Answer: What exactly does the "fluff" mean in the term "Drop and Fluff"?

Answer: What exactly does the "fluff" mean in the term "Drop and Fluff"?

Answer: "Drop and fluff"

Answer: "Drop and fluff"

Browse related questions

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.