If breasts look perfect (in place and not too high) right after surgery, is there a chance they will drop very low after they drop and fluff?
I have my surgery scheduled for next month and am looking at the before/after pics from my surgeon again. He posts several that look nearly perfect (in place, not too high) postoperatively. Some pictures were 12 hours post op and others 24 hours. Does this mean they might drop too low after, or is it possible for implants to look perfect and be placed where they should be right off the bat? I always read that breasts will go through the "drop and fluff" process and am concerned.
Answers from doctors (10)
You should really discuss with your surgeon. Results are dependent on size, shape and placement of implant, subpectoral or subgladular. All implants will drop a bit once muscle relaxes and skin stretches to accomodate implant. Only an implant with a capsule will stay in place - there is no breast that does not mature with time - with an implant or without.
Published on Jul 11, 2012
If they are under the muscle, they will need to drop. If your PS cuts the muscle so it retracts up, they could look good immediately, but you may get rippling in the midline a year or so later, depending upon how much breast tissue you have.
Published on Jul 11, 2012
Reputable long-term photos are rarely taken prior to three months post-op. I, like most surgeons, usually take them a year or two post- op. Yes, implants can become malpositioned over years as a consequence of weight lifting, pregnancy and capsular contracture. The surgeon can put them properly, but he/she cannot control what happens to a patient's soft tissues after the surgery is completed.
Published on Jul 11, 2012
It all depends upon how he does the surgery. So long as you like the long-term photos, don't worry about the early photos looking too perfect. He's probably just demonstrating that he is so good that he doesn't get a lot of bruising and swelling. So long as the upper pole isn't empty and the nipple isn't too high on the late post-ops, then everything is fine.
Published on Jul 11, 2012
For most patients, their bra will prevent the implants from falling too low after the "drop and fluff" period.
Published on Jul 11, 2012
It is always best that they look perfect at surgery or shortly thereafter, but they definitely do change with time and, in many cases, differently. I try and only take photos of my patients one year after their surgery for post-op results.
Published on Jul 11, 2012
Thank you for asking. Not necessarily. The technique used will be specific for your case. Most submuscular breast implants will need to drop. Most subglandular breast implants will not. There are variations, however. Discuss your case with your board-certified plastic surgeon! Best wishes!
Published on Jul 11, 2012
Yes, most breast augmentations will look one way at one week and settle out after 6 months. However, they will continue to heal even at one year.
Our patients are seen for one year so that we can monitor how they are healing. Ask your doctor about his protocol.
Published on Jul 11, 2012
It sounds like your surgeon places the implants over the muscle, as submuscular cannot look normal for at least a couple of months. Over-the-muscle (unless subfascial) placement frequently drops and develops capsular contracture, and is much more likely to need revision surgery.
Published on Jul 11, 2012
Everything depends upon size. If one places a "smallish implant," let's say less than 350 cc, they will look great after surgery. Let's think about it: if one were to measure the nipple to the crease (ideally 7 cm) and one places an implant with a diameter of greater than 14 cm (radius 7 cm), then the nipple to crease must increase. This is when they say drop and fluff! So, all depends upon the size of the implant. Hope this answer wasn't too technical.
Published on Jul 11, 2012
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