Silicone implants are filled with a cohesive silicone gel, while saline implants are filled with a saltwater solution. Both types of implants can feel hard to the touch immediately after the procedure. As your body continues to heal, the implants should “drop” into their designated location and soften over time.
Firmness results from a contracture of the scar tissue that is present around every breast implant. As this scar tissue squeezes down on the implant it becomes firm to touch, is sometimes painful, and usually changes the implant shape from a soft pillow to a hard ball.
However, you may be concerned by your new breasts' first impression; they will likely rest high on your chest and feel hard to the touch. There's no need to be alarmed – this phenomenon is completely normal and expected.
Sometimes, a woman will notice that one breast implant softens and the other one remains hard, even beyond six months after the procedure. This can be a sign of capsular contraction, a complication that occurs when there is too much scar tissue after breast augmentation surgery.
However, when the implants are placed properly, it will be difficult to feel anything. Breast implants may look more obvious on people who are naturally very thin with very little padding on the chest. Many people consider any type of implants to feel slightly harder than actual breast tissue.
According to Men's Health, the biggest tipoffs that men look for to determine if a woman has had breast augmentation surgery are based on sight alone. Indicators include the breasts being too close together, appearing abnormally large, or sitting too high on a woman's torso.
In most cases, breast implants will drop and fluff – whether gradually or more dramatically – over the course of three to six months after your procedure.
This capsule, made of primarily of collagen, can contain some scar tissue which, over time, may harden and squeeze the implant. This condition, known as capsular contracture, can produce discomfort and can alter the appearance of your breasts.
Several different factors can affect the speed at which the implants soften. “Fluffing” is the term used for this process. The implants may “fluff” over a period of time lasting anywhere from two to six months. If you're still feeling hardness after the six-month mark, you should talk to Dr.
A lack of implant drop and fluff, such as the lower breast seeming empty, could indicate that pocket has hardened and started to contract around the implant, which not only affects the appearance of your breasts but may also cause breast pain.
Breasts with implants can feel different to the touch than unaugmented breasts and although silicone breasts feel similar to real breasts, they are still manmade and may not feel like natural breast tissue particularly if you have very little breast tissue.
Over time this scar tissue will harden around your breasts and affect the appearance and feel of your implants. Practicing breast massages will reduce the growth of scar tissue, allowing implants to remain soft and flexible.
In as few as a few days, patients may begin to notice their implants begin to settle. By several weeks, the implants will be near their final resting position. The three-month mark is typically the latest that movement will be noticed. Athletes with strong chest muscles may require more time to notice breast settling.
The use of textured gel implants: Using gel implants with a textured surface, rather than a smooth surface, has been shown to reduce the likelihood of capsular contraction. It is thought that the textured surface of the implant makes it more difficult for thick scar tissue to develop around the implant.
Nothing is foolproof, but if you squeezed a woman's implants that hard, she would stop you as soon as the pain kicked in, meaning BEFORE the implants ruptured. That said, it is possible to rupture an implant.
An implant is a soft silicone shell filled with a saltwater solution or a gel. After the surgery you will probably feel weak. You may feel sore for 2 to 3 weeks, and you'll likely have a lot of swelling. You may have a pulling or stretching feeling in your breast area.
The type and size of the implant can affect the drop and fluff timeline. The exact process occurs with round and teardrop-shaped implants, but larger implants may drop slightly faster.
The ideal fit for a post-surgery bra should be snug but not tight. The best indicator that your bra fits correctly is that it's comfortable, and although you might feel some pressure, this isn't excessive or painful. Signs that your bra is too tight include: the straps or edges leaving marks on your skin.
Early signs of capsular contracture may include a firm or tight sensation, pain, or asymmetry. As the condition worsens, you may notice more obvious symptoms, including: Breast pain. Asymmetry.
Once you have clearance from your surgeon, we recommend massaging your breasts two to three times a day for the first couple of months. Complete this practice for about five minutes each time. After the first two months, massage your breasts five minutes once a day, or as often as recommended by Dr. Smart.
Generally speaking, you shouldn't consider going braless for at least six weeks after breast augmentation. Your breasts need to be thoroughly supported during this time to ensure optimal healing. After six weeks, you may occasionally go braless, but try to keep this to special occasions, and don't make it a habit.
Conversely, silicone implants are silicone shells filled with a cohesive silicone substance that mimics the feel of your natural breast tissue. They feel more like natural breasts to the touch. It should not be a big surprise then that most plastic surgeons no longer use saline implants.
If your implants are in good shape—that is, the shell is not compromised due to age of the implant—the answer is probably no. Today's breast implants are extremely durable, and can withstand tremendous amounts of pressure before rupturing: about 175 pounds for saline, and up to 300 or so for silicone gel.