Your breast implants may appear to be bigger or fuller once they've dropped to a lower, more natural-looking position on your chest and "fluffed" into a rounder and softer shape. Changes in the size or shape of your new breasts after augmentation can also occur as swelling and tightness subside.
Settling occurs as the breast implants drop into their pockets and shift into their intended form. This is also referred to as “dropping and fluffing.” The fluffing aspect of this process refers to the way that volume settles at the lower pole of the breast, as would appear with natural breast tissue.
Anywhere from 6 weeks to 6 months after surgery, your implants will settle into a lower, more natural-looking position. This process is also referred to as 'dropping and fluffing. ' Breasts drop into a lower position while the area below the nipple fluffs into a fuller shape.
Breast implants generally take six weeks to three months to adjust and look natural. Like many other things in life, they're well worth the wait. The length of the adjustment period depends on a few different factors, such as your age and how much swelling you experience.
Over time, your breast implants will gradually soften and settle, looking and feeling more like your natural breast tissue.
After surgery, the implants tend to ride hide and appear small due to the patient's skin tightness in the area. There is tightness because the implants increase dimension to breast tissue causing the skin to compress the implant's shape and size.
Placing the implant below the muscle does typically make the implant look slightly smaller as the muscle will give the implant a touch more of a natural slope. It also compresses the implant, which makes the breast look slightly smaller.
Your First Week after Augmentation
You will see very little side or bottom rounding of the breasts, often looking square, with little outward projection and minimal bottom fullness. Have no fear! This is all normal.
Over time, your breast tissue will soften and make the implants look and feel normal. In rare cases, the breasts may not heal together. One may feel softer than the other. If this continues six months after the procedure, visit your plastic surgeon.
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.
The breast implants recovery stages involve some pain, although it is generally "manageable" with the right pain management treatment. The first 2-3 days require the vast majority of medications, particularly those used to control post-op discomfort.
Over time as the breast pocket stretches, your breasts implants will eventually soften, typically by 6 months after your surgery. Keep in mind, though, that every woman is different.
It can take as long as three to four months before you are able to see your final results. This is due to the fact that it takes time for your breast implants to settle into their proper position and for all residual swelling to subside.
How do Breast Implants Settle? You may feel that your breasts are sitting too high on your chest right after surgery. This is particularly true when implants are placed sub-muscularly, or behind the pectoral muscles.
Is there anything I can do to speed up the drop and fluff process? You are advised to wear a specially designed surgical support garment in the weeks after your surgery. This will reduce swelling quicker and help shape your breasts, as the implants and tissues are supported during the healing process.
Your breast implants may appear to be bigger or fuller once they've dropped to a lower, more natural-looking position on your chest and "fluffed" into a rounder and softer shape. Changes in the size or shape of your new breasts after augmentation can also occur as swelling and tightness subside.
Three to Six Months After Your Breast Augmentation
Your breasts will feel almost normal, though there may still be a little firmness and some residual discomfort at times. By the three-month mark, they should be looking and feeling good overall. By now, your scars will have started to fade.
Around 3 months is when your breasts will start to take shape and show their final results. If after this time, your breasts still appear dissimilar, hard to touch and generally look unnatural, this would be a good indication to call your surgeon.
6 weeks after breast augmentation
Nipples are rising slowly to the center of the breasts. They may not be perfect at this stage, but should have good improvement. One breast could still appear higher than the other. Asymmetry is normal.
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.
Asymmetry. It's also not uncommon for one breast to look slightly larger than the other right after breast augmentation. There are a couple reasons for this. First, both breasts aren't necessarily going to heal at the exact same rate, so it could take a little longer for one side to drop and fluff.
If your breasts still look smaller than you expected six months after augmentation, a fat transfer can enhance your breasts while disguising the edges of your implants. During fat transfer, Dr. Parkins will use liposuction to remove unwanted fat from another part of your body, like your belly or thighs.
Factors that Impact How Fast Breast Implants will Drop
Implants that are placed above the muscle (subglandular placement) typically drop faster than breast implants placed under the muscle (submuscular placement).
Having implants under the muscle tends to be more painful than over the muscles as your surgeon will need to make an incision in the muscle, as well as the breast tissue, to create the 'pocket' that your breast implant will fit inside. You can expect to feel the most pain in the first one to three days after surgery.