Do breast implants look smaller at first

  • Do breast implants look smaller at first

Do breast implants look smaller at first
Your breast augmentation procedure is complete, and you are excited to see the results. However, don’t get discouraged when your new breasts just aren’t what you expected. Breast augmentation recovery takes some time, and your new breasts must undergo the “drop and fluff” process before you will see the real results. Here we help you understand what to expect after breast augmentation and give you an idea of when your breast implants will drop into place.

Your First Week after Augmentation

Immediately after your breast augmentation, your implants will likely look like they are sitting high and compressed. They will feel very firm, and your nipples will likely appear very low and point downwards. 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. At this stage of augmentation recovery, you still have swelling and may even experience mild to moderate bruising. This is the time where your body is adjusting to the new implants while they begin to settle. It is also a time where it is important to wear the support bras recommended by your surgeon.

Weeks Two Through 12

During these weeks, your implants will begin the “drop and fluff” process. But what does that mean? During this time, you will notice that the bottom of the breast implant begins to settle, or drop, towards the bottom of the breast area. You will also notice upper breast swelling reduces, revealing a more natural breast appearance.

Implants stretch out the skin during augmentation, resulting in skin tightness that can make your implants feel tight and hard. Fluffing occurs when the tight skin finally begins to stretch and soften as it gets used to the new implants. This stretching allows the implants to settle, giving you a more natural breast feel and appearance.

Optimal Breast Position Around 6 Months to A Year

While every woman is eager to see their new results, it is important to understand that optimal breast augmentation results can take up to a year to achieve. Your implants will continue to drop and fluff during this time. How long it takes to reach optimal results is different for every woman. Small-framed women may take longer to reach optimal results than those women who are postpartum and have already experienced breast tissue stretching.

If you would like to learn more about breast augmentation and what to expect after your procedure, contact Hamilton Surgical Arts online today or call our office at (317) 773-6677 to schedule an appointment. We always look forward to answering your questions and helping you achieve the body you desire.

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Summary

Do breast implants look smaller at first

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Your Breast Implants Won’t Look Perfect Right Away

Description

Hamilton Surgical Arts in Indiana explains what to expect after breast augmentation and how long it may take for breast implants to drop and settle into place.

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Hamilton Surgical Arts

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Do breast implants look smaller at first

Every year, more and more women are considering a breast augmentation to attain larger, fuller, and firmer breasts. The procedure utilizes breast implant placement to achieve these goals. With so much attention on procedure and results, too little focus is paid to the all-important recovery phase before surgery. Because understanding the recovery process is crucial to achieving the patient’s desired outcome, we feel it’s important to stress the reality of “drop and fluff.”

Definitions

The terms refer to what happens to the breast implants during the first few months after surgery. This information can resolve the anxiety which often happens during this period.

Drop

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.  Over time, the underlying muscle and overlying skin begin to conform to the implants and stretch. Then the implants begin to settle or “drop” into a lower position, creating a more natural appearance.

Fluff

After dropping, the implants relax or “fluff” into the lower breast areas, taking on the natural teardrop shape which is more projected. The breasts begin to look larger with normal contours, taking on the appearance the patient had in mind when she started the process. Results will continue to improve during recovery as swelling subsides and breast appearance improves.

Drop and Fluff Timeline

Here is a timeline of what breast augmentation patients can expect during recovery relating to drop and fluff:

First Week

After one week there will be soreness in the chest area. Tightness will be prevalent especially during deep breathing with discomfort on the upper abdominal wall. Oral medication is available to manage any pain and make the process more comfortable.

Swelling and bruising around the implants is normal so the implant contour will be less defined until the swelling subsides. The patient may also experience some swelling and bruising on the upper abdominal area.

Weeks Two to Six

Most swelling and bruising should subside after two weeks, and tissue will begin to relax. The implants will drop continuously for six weeks and begin to fill in the lower breast area.

Three Months

Implants should start to find their permanent position after three months. Although recovery may last up to one year, the results should become visible and appealing at this time. Incisions will start to fade in the months which follow.

Best Results

After recovery, breasts should appear natural, with a teardrop shape and an upward curve of the nipple. The implants will be settled into their permanent position projecting a larger, firm, and youthful breast contour. The incisions will initially fade to pink, then become close to normal skin tone.

To learn more about breast augmentation, what to expect during recovery, and “drop and fluff” call Dr. Montante today.

Call (804) 325-4795 or Schedule a Consultation

Why do my new implants look so small?

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.

Do breast implants get smaller as they heal?

The volume of your breasts shouldn't change as they heal after breast augmentation. Once the swelling subsides and your breast implants drop into the pocket, your breasts will likely look and feel different than they do right now though.

Will my implants look smaller once they drop?

As a result, the implants settle into a lower, more aesthetically pleasing position on the chest. They appear softer and rounder, and they look larger and closer together. Hence, “drop” (settle lower) and “fluff” (round out and look fuller).

How long before my breast implants look normal?

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.