How long does it take for the skin on the sternum to stretch and go down? (Photo)

Question

im 4.5 weeks PO and feels like the skin is lifted, it lies flat when i lie down. also one of my breast's in the cleavage has an indentation. is this completely normal?

Jake Lim, MBBS, FRACS · Answer

It usually takes about 3 months for the implant to settle and the skin and muscle to stretch out to accommodate. The skin over your sternum should settle. The indentation may be rippling of the implant.

Brian K. Reedy, MD · Answer

It is still too early to worry about small differences, indents and swelling.  Feel free to discuss them with your surgeon to get peace of mind, but the healing process needs to progress another 2 months before you can make any judgments.  I think in your case everything will be fine.  Good Luck!

Bryson G. Richards, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question and post.It will take at least 3 months for the implants to settle. The central cleavage will typically smooth out over time. Unless the skin was elevated off of the sternum, the bridge of skin will resolve as the swelling improves.I hope this helps.- Dr. Bryson Richards

Gary Lawton, MD, FACS · Answer

At
this point in your recovery, it is much too soon to be worried about the
outcome.  It takes time for the implants to settle into position and the
skin and muscle to stretch out to accommodate the new implant.  It may be
6 months or more before the shape has reached its final look.  Be patient.

Jacob Freiman, MD, FACS · Answer

Many patients have preoperative symmastia. It has nothing to do with the surgery and more to do with your anatomy. All it is is a skin attachment between the two breasts. Since it is so soon after surgery, I suspect yours will completely subside. The healing process goes in stages. You will be the most swollen the day after surgery or 2 days after surgery. After that, the swelling will begin to subside. In my opinion all of the swelling should subside by 3 months and at that point at least one of the implants will have settled but they never settle at the same time. It may even take up to a year. Usually, they settle around 1 to 2 months apart. Good Luck!

Robert Drielsma, MBBS, BSc, FRACS · Answer

Congratulations on your recent surgery.  Its very early days and it takes at least three months for your implants and skin to settle after surgery and for you to get an indication of your final results.  Lumps, bumps and asymmetry are all normal at this stage and usually resolve over time.  Continue to follow your surgeons post operative guidelines.

Ralph R. Garramone, MD · Answer

It takes several weeks for the swelling to subside and for the skin to relax and adapt to the implants.  You have to expect some irregularities with larger implants relative to your chest and breast size.  The less breast tissue and body fat you have the more likely you are to see or feel irregulariets of the implant as well.  As the swelling subsides some of these irregularities become more visible.Follow up with your plastic surgeon.

Steven M. Camp, MD · Answer

Thanks for sharing your photos.It is still early in your recovery and you can expect your swelling and feeling of tightness to improve some more.  Make sure to follow up with your surgeon and follow the postoperative care instructions carefully.Best Wishes

Todd C. Case, MD · Answer

Swelling usually takes 3-6 weeks to resolve, especially over the sternum. The skin should stick back down over time, unless the pocket dissection lifted the skin off the sternum causing synmastia.  The indentation is likely due to the attachment of the chest muscle (Pectorals muscle) to the sternum being tight over the implant in this area.  It general improves with time.

How long does it take for the skin on the sternum to stretch and go down? (Photo)

Answers (9)

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