How Long Do Implants Take To Drop And Fluff
Why I Removed My Breast Implants | Rosanna Pansino
Initial swelling and bruising should subside in one to two weeks after getting breast implants. With this, your muscles should begin to relax, allowing your implants to gradually settle and soften. The entire drop and fluff process can take three to six months to complete, however, so don’t worry if your implants still feel tight or look a bit high even after most of the swelling has dissipated.
Keep in mind that everyone’s breast augmentation recovery will happen at a different pace, so you may have a friend whose implants dropped and fluffed sooner than yours. Your own drop and fluff timeline might look different, and that is okay.
Does Drop And Fluff Happen In Reduction And Lift Patients Too
Yes, but to a lesser extent. It is very common to see these patients with lots of volume at the top of the breast initially. Sometimes they love that as they feel they are lifted but with more upper pole fullness than they expected. Ive even had patients say they feel like they have implants in!
However, as the swelling subsides, that appearance does subside as without the addition of an implant, it is difficult to maintain those upper pole curves.
Do Breast Implants Get Bigger When They Drop And Fluff
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.
You might notice that the appearance of your new implants changes several times before your final results settle in. This is normal and nothing to worry about. Before you spring for a new wardrobe, though, give your breasts several months to settle into place and for their size and shape to stop adjusting.
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How The Drop And Fluff Period Affects The Results Of Your Breast Augmentation
Melanie RudJun 11, 2021Updated on Mar 1, 2022
No, its not the latest iteration of Elle Woods iconic bend and snap move: drop and fluff is an informal term that describes the process of breast implants settling after an augmentationand its an important part of the recovery process. Here, top plastic surgeons explain what the drop and fluff is and how it will affect the end result of your breast augmentation.
Why Is My Implant Not Dropping
Answer: Breast implants that never drop are probably due to inadequate pocket dissection Most breast implants will loosen up as the swelling goes down and artificial support for the volume of the implant disappears If the breasts then re-ascends, this is probably due to capsular contracture.
Generally, patients know that the breast implants have dropped into their final position once the implants have rounded out the lower breast poles, and the breasts demonstrate appropriate aesthetics ( volume of breast implant below nipple/areola complexes in relation to volume of breast implants above nipple/areola .
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Factors That Can Influence Your Drop And Fluff Experience
There are a number of factors that can influence your drop and fluff experience. These may include:
- Implant size. Because larger implants weigh more, they often drop faster.
- Implant type. Textured implants tend to drop slower and to a lesser degree than smooth implants due to the friction between the implant and surrounding tissues.
- Surgical bra. Following your breast augmentation, you will likely be asked to wear a surgical compression bra to aid your recovery. Not only will this garment help reduce swelling, but it will also help shape your breasts.
- Breast symmetry. Believe it or not, breasts are rarely 100% symmetrical. For this reason, it is common for one breast to develop slightly quicker than the other following breast implant surgery.
- Time. Because breasts dont always heal at the same time, it is quite common for one breast to drop before the other.
- Skin elasticity. It may take longer for the breasts to drop in patients with better skin elasticity since their breast skin is firmer and more likely to snap back. In contrast, patients who lack skin elasticity in their breasts may experience a faster drop and fluff process because their skin is looser and more easily able to accommodate an implant.
- Inflammation. As inflammation subsides, your breast tissues will expand and allow your implants to drop and fluff.
- Gravity. Gravitys downward force will help your implants settle into place over time.
What Does That Mean
Well, drop means just what it implies, your implants must fall into a lower position. This dropping is true for saline or silicone, round or teardrop. Breast tissue will compress the implants and keep them high and flat. Once your breast tissue conforms to your implant size and shape, gravity will take hold, and your implants will begin to descend and expand.
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Do Breast Implants Look Smaller As They Heal
The volume of your breasts shouldnt 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.
Your breasts may also look smaller than you were hoping for At first, the muscle and breast tissues are tight, compressing your implant In time, these tissues will relax and loosen, and the breast implant drop will occur and develop into a more natural-looking position.
How To Speed Up The Drop And Fluff Process
Dramatic change by breast augmentation
There are some steps you can take to speed up the drop and fluff process. Always consult the surgeon before you begin either of these methods.
- Ask your surgeon about wearing a breast band to guide the implants gently.
- Breast massage is recommended on occasion to prevent complications after breast augmentation, and it also encourages the tissues to relax. Your surgeon will advise you if massaging is necessary. In most cases, it is NOT necessary.
Visit our breast augmentation before and after gallery to see more breast enhancement transformations.
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So Whats Happening Soon After Surgery
The first few days are sometimes called the Frankenboob stage! At this point the swelling is often significant, resulting in the breast implant sitting very high sometimes almost up to the collar bone.
But ironically, despite all the swelling, the breasts can look smaller than expected because the breast skin and tissue, along with the pec muscle, puts pressure on the implant, effectively holding it in. This results in a flatter, squarer breasts in the first few weeks.
It is very common for patients to feel anxious about their results at this stage but it is completely normal.
Ive had many patients in those early days say oh no, Ive not gone big enough, but come their 6 week post operative appointment when most are ready for normal bras again, they say that are the perfect size! And it actually gets even better from then in the months ahead.
The real examples from Dr Moncrieffs patients below show this process over the weeks post surgery.
Your Buffalo Ny Breast Augmentation Options
We know you have many options when it comes to receiving breast implants in Buffalo, New York. However, skill, experience, and safety should be your priorities when considering any kind of surgery.
Dr. Todd Koch is a highly esteemed, board-certified plastic surgeon who provides a range of breast enhancement procedures for the greater Buffalo area. He specializes in breast enlargement surgery,breast revision procedures, and the treatment of capsular contraction.
Please navigate to the top of our page to schedule a consultation or call us at to learn more about the quality services our Williamsville, New York, plastic surgery practice offers.
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Can I Speed Up My Drop And Fluff Process
While theres little you can do to speed up the drop and fluff process aside from following your cosmetic surgeons instructions, wearing a surgical bra, being patient, and trusting the process, we recommend you take postoperative photos of your breasts every two weeks to help visualize your progress.
If your implants are taking longer than usual to drop, your cosmetic surgeon may advise applying a compression band to the upper portion of your breasts and/or massaging your breast tissue. However, neither of these techniques should be utilized without first consulting your surgeon.
Dropping And Fluffing Is An Ongoing Process
The breasts you see one week after surgery are not indicative of what your end result is going to be, emphasizes Dr. Edelstein. So how long does the drop and fluff take? About three to six months is average, though it takes a full year to really get the final look, notes Dr. Doft. And keep in mind that changes are ongoing throughout this time. Youre going to see a difference from week to week, its just that the complete process takes months, says Dr. Edelstein.
Factors such as how big your implants are, your natural breast size, and whether the implant is placed under the muscle all play a role in how long the settling/healing process lasts. It typically takes longer for someone who is naturally smaller-framed and didnt have large breasts to begin with than it would for someone with larger breasts or who is postpartum, with breast tissue thats already been stretched out, notes Dr. Edelstein. As a general rule of thumb, the bigger the implant, the longer the dropping and fluffing period. Implants that are placed under the muscle also take longer, because they have to push against the muscle and force both it and the tissue to stretch, says Dr. Doft.
Interested in breast implants?
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Why Is Massaging My Breasts Important
The two main benefits of massaging your breasts after breast augmentation deal with implant settling and preventing capsular contracture. Breast massage after augmentation can also shorten your overall recovery time.
Capsular Contracture
Massaging your breasts at regular intervals can prevent the onset of capsular contracture. Although rare, the post-surgical complication causes the soft tissue that surrounds the implants to harden and tighten. Many patients with this complication find that their breasts become painful to touch.
The exact cause of capsular contracture is unknown, but leading theories suggest that the hardening is part of the bodys autoimmune response to the presence of breast implants. Many plastic surgeons, including Dr. McCall, recommend that patients massage their breasts multiple times a day to lower their risk of developing capsular contracture.
Implant Settling
Drop and fluff refers to the natural settling process of breast implants once they have been surgically placed. Most patients will notice the dropping phase first before the fluff results in the slight expansion of the implants once they have settled.
Breast Augmentation Problems: Dropping And Fluffing
As your body accommodates to your new implants, youll notice that your breasts will gradually look more and more natural the way you hoped theyd be! Over the course of about three to four months, your body creates new skin to accommodate the additional volume of your implants. This natural process is called tissue expansion, and relieves the tightness you may be experiencing. It allows for the implants to settle more into a better position with the help of gravity. A gradual redistribution of volume from the upper to the lower breast occurs, resulting in an enlargement and rounding out of the lower breast.
Although its often called dropping, it is more like redistribution. The fluffing part refers to the impression that the lower breast enlarges and that your skin softens with the creation of new tissues. The extent to which this occurs depends on several factors, including the implant size, the tightness of your skin, and your body shape.
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Drop And Fluff Timeline
Each person is different, and recovery times can vary, but most people experience the drop and fluff process anywhere from three to six months after their surgery. Remember that if you have your implants placed under the muscle, you will have a slower drop and fluff timeline.
The implants will sit high in the chest in the first several weeks after surgery. They will then begin to settle into place, though each breast can do so at different rates.
After about six weeks, you will start seeing a reduction in the upper fullness of your breasts, while your lower breast areas will start filling out as planned. After about six months, the implants will be in their final spot, though for some it can take up to a year.
Various factors can affect the timeline. If the implants are large, they may drop sooner. Your own breast size and muscle development can also determine when the drop and fluff will occur.
Breasts are not entirely symmetrical, and this means that one breast implant may drop sooner than the other. Usually, the implant with more space between the breast crease and the nipple will drop first. You can also help the recovery process by massaging your breasts.
Always consult with your surgeon to ensure you know whats safe and what recovery tips can help you achieve the desired results.
The Drop And Fluff Timeline
What is the difference between round and tear drop breast implants?
What to expect during your implant healing journey:
Weeks 1-3: Your breasts may appear cone-like with enlarged or puffy nipples. You may experience a lack of nipple sensitivity or hypersensitivity. Your implants will sit high on the chest wall and your skin may feel tight and shiny.
Weeks 4-5: Your implants will begin to settle as they drop and fluff. Each breast can drop and fluff and heal at different rates.
Week 6+: The initial upper fullness of your breasts will decrease and lower fullness of the breasts will take shape.
Up to 1 Year: Generally, implants have settled into their new natural shape.
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Which Brings Us To
The fluff part of the phenomenon. Once the tissue and/or musculature relaxes, and the implants settle into the proper position, they start to fill back out as the pressure keeping them flat gives way.
This gives the impression of your breast implants being fluffed like a pillow: theres always the same amount of filling in a pillow, but it looks much bigger when its pushed into the right spot.
All implants, even teardrop-shaped gummy-bear ones, go through the fluff part of implant settling, even if they skip the drop stage.
Drop And Fluff Timeline: Breast Augmentation Recovery
Drop and Fluff is the catchy term that is used to describe the natural healing progression from breast surgery.
The swelling from surgery resolves the skin covering the breasts stretches the pectoral muscles relax.
This process causes the bottom portion of the implant to shift downwards and fill out the lower pole of the breast: creating a more natural, rounded appearance.
After surgery you may notice that your breasts are sitting high and tight on the chest for the first few weeks. This is normal and the implants will start to drop after a few days. At six weeks this becomes very visible, and by three months they have usually reached their final position .
When the implants have finished dropping and the lower pole has fluffed, you may notice that your scar appears to move upwards. You should be able to feel the edge of the implant at or just above the inframammary crease. This means the implant has fallen into the correct position in the pocket.
One breast may Drop and Fluff faster than the other, which may cause some obvious asymmetry in the early stages of healing. Our breasts are almost never symmetrical. This can cause some concern, but dont worry it is completely normal. You need to remind yourself that you have had two different surgeries on two different body parts so they will heal at different rates!
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Dos And Don’ts Of Breast Augmentation Care
Breast augmentation is a popular surgical procedure that can help women achieve their desired breast size and shape. While the results of breast augmentation can be beautiful and life-changing, its important to remember that this is a major surgery. As with any major cosmetic surgery, there are certain dos and donts that should be followed in order to ensure a successful outcome.
- Take all of your prescribed medications as directed.
- This can include pain pills, blood thinners, and antibiotics.
- Wear your surgical bra or compression garment as directed.
- Sleep on your back or in a reclined position to avoid putting pressure on your breasts.
- Ice your breasts regularly to help reduce swelling.
Why You Should Always Wear A Supportive Bra After Breast Augmentation Surgery
Breast augmentation surgery necessitates wearing a supportive bra in order to reduce the risk of complications. It is highly unlikely that your implants will stay in place if you do not wear a bra. Furthermore, not wearing a surgical bra can prolong the healing process and cause critical problems such as bruising, abnormal shape of the breasts, or poor connective tissue adhesion, all of which can lead to a variety of aesthetic flaws. People who have surgery should wear a supportive bra to bed for the first six weeks after surgery, but after that period, if it is more comfortable, they may prefer to sleep in a bra.
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Can The Process Be Accelerated
Sorry, but the answer may be a bit vague. Although medication and massage may speed up the drop and fluff process, most of what determines how soon you see your results depend on variable influences. These include implant placement , texture, shape, and type.
For example, round-shaped implants will take longer to settle, as does a sub-muscular placement. Women who are athletic with developed muscles will also experience a longer period because the muscle is less pliable.
FAQs
Do implants look bigger after they drop and fluff? ›
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.
What helps implants drop and fluff? ›Inflammation. As inflammation subsides, your breast tissues will expand and allow your implants to drop and fluff. Gravity. Gravity's downward force will help your implants settle into place over time.
When do implants start to drop and fluff? ›Generally speaking, implants begin to drop and fluff after a few days, approach their final position after six weeks, and settle entirely after three months. At Park Meadows Cosmetic Surgery, we want you to know exactly what to expect after breast enhancement.
How do I know if my implants have dropped and fluffed? ›You should be able to tell when the “fluffing” is done as you can feel the implants above the inframammary crease, this means it has fallen into its pocket. Many patients notice one breast has dropped into the correct position, while the other remains high and tight – this is no reason for concern.
How do you speed up drop and fluff? ›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.
Do breast bands help implants drop? ›The breast band will encourage the implants to drop and settle into a natural position. It is not unusual for a surgeon to decide on neither strapping nor a breast band as they feel a sports bra is enough to support and protect the patients' new assets.
When should I start massaging my breast implants? ›You should begin massaging your breasts one week after your surgery to promote healthy and beautiful results. You do, however, want to wait until after your incisions have healed to be sure that you do not open the incisions, as this can lead to infection.
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 bigger as they heal? ›Answer: Will breasts get bigger once healed? No, your breasts will not increase in size. As swelling goes down, your breasts will look smaller, however, they may also shift position by dropping into the pocket, and this can change the way they appear.
Is dropping and fluffing painful? ›Drop and Fluff Timeline
It will feel tight especially while breathing deeply with discomfort on your upper abdomen. Pain meds will be prescribed to manage the pain and discomfort. Bruising and swelling around the implants is normal, and the implant contour is less defined until the swelling decreases.
How long does it take for implants to soften? ›
The softening process is referred to as “fluffing”, and can last anywhere from eight weeks to six months. If your breasts feel hard longer than six months, see your plastic surgeon. Postoperative swelling contributes to the firmness of newly-placed breast implants, as does their placement.
How long does it take for implants to fully drop? ›During the recovery period, your breasts will settle into their new position as your implants begin to drop into place. It may take up to three months for your breast implants to drop into a more natural position.
How should implants look when lying down? ›The implants should stay in the center of the chest and not flop to the side or move up. The breast should retain a lot of its fullness and not flatten too much when lying down.
Do gummy bear implants drop and fluff? ›All implants, even teardrop-shaped gummy-bear ones, go through the “fluff” part of implant settling, even if they skip the “drop” stage.
How do implants look when lying down? ›Lying Down: Because anatomically shaped breast implants are better at maintaining their shape, they will keep that shape even when the patient is lying down. This may cause an unnatural look because the implants will not spread out like natural breasts would; rather, they will somewhat maintain the “teardrop” shape.
How long do you wear a compression bra after a breast lift? ›Typically, most patients will be required to wear a compression bra during their initial part of recovery (two weeks after surgery). At that point, you can switch to a compression sports bra but make sure to avoid anything with an underwire. This can be worn for another two weeks, day and night.
How long do I have to sleep elevated after breast augmentation? ›Essentially, you'll need to sleep in an elevated position after breast augmentation surgery for at least one to two months (around six weeks for the majority of patients). The reason is that this position helps to reduce swelling, largely by taking the pressure off the incision areas and the implants themselves.
What happens if you don t wear a compression bra after breast reduction? ›What happens if you don't wear compression garments after breast surgery? If you do not wear a compression bra following breast implant placement or stop wearing it before your implant settles in a new shape and size, there is a high risk of your implants dislocating from their position.
What holds breast implants in place? ›After the surgeon removes the breast tissue, a plastic surgeon puts in a breast implant. The implant can be put under the skin or muscle on your chest. Mesh is sometimes used to hold the implant in place, much like a hammock or sling.
What can cause implants not to drop? ›There are several reason why the breast implant does not drop. Sometimes the muscle does not completely release and the pectoralis muscle keeps the implant too high. Another reason can be that the inframammary fold, the fold underneath the breast, was not properly dissected.
How can I make my implants closer together? ›
Unfortunately no, there is no procedure to move your breasts closer together. But as the other surgeons have stated, fat grafting could help narrow cleavage and breast implants can increase it as well.
What happens if you don't massage your breast implants? ›What happens if you don't massage your breast implants? In theory, breast implant massage is intended to reduce the risk of capsular contracture, which is the scar tissue that normally forms around an implant. Scar tissue only becomes a problem when it tightens and puts pressure on the implant.
When can I stop wearing a bra after breast augmentation? ›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.
How do I massage my breasts to prevent capsular contracture? ›Push your breasts toward the middle of your chest by placing your hands on each side. Hold for a few seconds and repeat. Push your breasts toward the middle of your chest, this time with the opposite hand (crisscross them below your breasts). Hold and repeat.
What size is considered small breast implants? ›As a rule of thumb, most women will opt for implants between 200cc and 500cc, with anything under 250cc considered a mini boob job as it generally equates to an increase of one cup size or less.
Do breast implants look bigger or smaller at first? ›Breast Implants Start High
Your breasts may also look smaller than you were hoping for. At first, the muscle and breast tissues are tight, compressing your implant. In time, these tissues will relax and loosen, and the breast implant drop will occur and develop into a more natural-looking position.
Swelling is normal after breast augmentation, and it can make your breasts look much larger than you expected. It may take several months for swelling to subside completely. At that point, your final results will be visible. It's less common for breasts to look smaller than desired.
Why do my implants look so small after surgery? ›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.
Should you massage breast implants? ›Massaging your breasts can improve suppleness, help ease discomfort, and reduce risks for painful complications like capsular contracture. It can be done as soon as you feel comfortable doing it and it only takes about one minute per breast.
What if my implants are too small? ›An implant that is too small may not produce a substantial enough impact on your breast shape and may leave you disappointed after surgery. Size changes are a primary reason for breast revision surgery. Take your time when choosing breast implants and communicate your desires for breast appearance clearly with Dr.
Do breast implants get bigger as they drop? ›
Your breast size may also increase slightly. Plastic surgeons sometimes call this “dropping and fluffing”. The breast implants drop into a lower position on the chest and expand in size as the pectoral muscle and breast tissues place less pressure on your implant.
Do implants look bigger at first? ›Swelling is normal after breast augmentation, and it can make your breasts look much larger than you expected. It may take several months for swelling to subside completely. At that point, your final results will be visible. It's less common for breasts to look smaller than desired.
Do implants get smaller after swelling? ›Over time, the swelling resolves, the tissues loosen up, and the shape of the implant starts to exert itself on the overlying tissues. 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.
Why have my breast implants dropped so much? ›Large implants are heavier and carry a greater risk for bottoming out. Other times, the skin loses laxity due to aging, hormonal changes, breastfeeding, or weight loss. In these circumstances, the implant may be too heavy for the tissue to support it. This often leads to the breast implant bottoming out.
How long does it take for breast implants to soften? ›The softening process is referred to as “fluffing”, and can last anywhere from eight weeks to six months. If your breasts feel hard longer than six months, see your plastic surgeon. Postoperative swelling contributes to the firmness of newly-placed breast implants, as does their placement.
Do implants under the muscle look smaller? ›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.