My breast implants haven't dropped after 14 weeks post op! Will they ever drop? (Photo)

Question

I had a breast augmentation 14 weeks ago. 560cc under the muscle, and they still haven't dropped yet. Nor have they "fluffed". I called my surgeon and said I may need a revision. I have two questions; Will they still drop over time if left as is? And, if I do end up having a revision, should that be at the cost of the surgeon as he hasn't created the pocket big enough for the implants, or is it just a response of my body not having dropped into the pocket? Thanks in advance to your answers.

Tom J. Pousti, MD · Answer

Your plastic surgeon will always be your best resource when it comes to an accurate assessment of your situation, advice, predictions, and/or meaningful reassurance. It sounds like he has giving you good guidance; revisionary breast surgery may be necessary to achieve an outcome that you will be happier with.
Generally speaking, breast implants will "drop" into the pocket that was created during surgery and massaging the implants downward may assist in the dropping of the implants after surgery (for those patients who want to help with the settling of the implants).  The rate of breast implant "settling" may depend on factors such as size of breast implant pocket dissected, tightness of the overlying skin/muscle layers, size of breast implant utilized, and concerns such as pre-existing breast asymmetry.Normally, it takes about 3-6 months (for some patients longer) to see the final result. It is very common for one side to settle faster than the other.Sometimes, one or both breasts implants do not settle as planned and revisionary breast surgery becomes necessary to improve the outcome. On other occasions, if the long-term breast asymmetry is mild ( understanding that absolute symmetry is very rarely achieved), patients will need to decide whether proceeding with revisionary breast surgery is worth the potential downsides associated with additional surgery.Policy regarding coverage of expenses for revisionary surgery will vary from office to office and probably on a case-by-case basis as well. Costs of revisionary surgery may range from zero,  to anesthesia/surgery center fees, to discounted surgeon's fees. Best wishes for an outcome that you will be pleased with long-term.

Martin Jugenburg, MD · Answer

Initally after surgery implants may sit high. It generally takes about 3 months for the implants to drop. Have you tried massaging them down? If the muscle was not released adequately they may remain high until a revision is done. Each surgeon's protocols differ. We do not charge patients for this. Regards,

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

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.

Gregory Sexton, MD · Answer

Most implants will "drop" by 3 months, but some take longer. If the pectorals muscle was not released adequately, then they may not change much. I would wait at least 6 months.Talk to your surgeon, and if not happy with the response, then get your "operative report" from him and see someone else.Good luck

Emmanuel Mallol Cotes, MD · Answer

Thanks for sharing your concerns with us. Its too early to talk about final results. In my practice, after performing a BA I recommend to my patients to limit the movement of the arms for two weeks. After that, you can move your arms taking care and always with common sense. In this regard, it's not advisable to carry heavy weights to prevent the implant out of position, and allow the formation of the physiological capsule around the implant, also to avoid pain and breast swelling.Kind regards,Dr. Emmanuel Mallol.-

My breast implants haven't dropped after 14 weeks post op! Will they ever drop? (Photo)

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My breast implants haven't dropped after 14 weeks post op! Will they ever drop? (Photo)

Answers (10)

Answer: Implants

Answer: Implants

Answer: 3 months post op, some advices:

Answer: 3 months post op, some advices:

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Everything you need to know about Breast Implants

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