When thinking about the steps involved in breast augmentation, most patients are familiar with consultation, the pre-op appointments, and recovery. Often, the settling step goes overlooked, leaving patients confused as to when they can expect to enjoy their final results.
Breast Implant Settling: The Next Step in Recovery
Settling, sometimes known as “drop and fluff”, is the process that follows recovery post-implant surgery. During your operation, the implant is placed into position. In the first few weeks following treatment, patients may notice or feel that their breasts look much higher than they had initially intended. This is because while the implant has been placed, the muscle and tissue around the breast react slightly to having a new implant placed. This creates additional pressure behind the muscle, creating extra volume at the top part of the breast. Over time, swelling decreases and the muscle and tissue gradually accommodate the new implant by creating a small “pocket” around it.
Once it has expanded enough, your silicone or saline implant gently drops or settles into its final position in the breast. At this point, patients achieve the gentle teardrop shape that is so characteristic to the look of natural breasts.
What Factors Impact Drop and Fluff?
While nearly every patient will experience some form of drop and fluff, certain factors can influence how and when you can expect your implants to finally settle. These include:
Implant placement
Most patients today have their implants placed in a submuscular manner, or beneath the muscle rather than over the muscle. In the long-run, this creates a more natural appearance and helps ensure that over time the augmentation remains as realistic looking as possible. However, augmentations conducted below the muscle tissue can also require a longer settling period, this can be up to three months post recovery.
Implant Type
When it comes to implants, size and shape matter. Smooth, rounded implants generally settle about the same way and can be inverted without compromising the overall appearance of the breast. However, textured teardrop shaped implants must be placed in a specific manner to attain their ideal shape. As a result, it is precisely placed during surgery and monitored post-operation to ensure it settles correctly.
What to Expect When Your Breasts are Settling
One of the biggest concerns patients have in the first few days following surgery is that their breasts are not positioned where they wanted them. Trust us – we understand how frustrating and underwhelming that can seem. However, it’s important to keep in mind that breast augmentation surgery is not a simple, one size fits all procedure. Not only is every patient going to have a uniquely planned treatment strategy, they’re also going to experience a very personalized recovery. For some, full recovery including settling can take under four weeks while others may not finish the drop and fluff process until they’re three months post-surgery. Give your body the patience and time it deserves to heal properly.
Ready to Begin? Call Dr. Sayed to Schedule Your Consultation!
As with any other plastic surgery, your procedure is a unique treatment strategy planned around you, your unique anatomy and long-term goals. When it comes to choosing the right breast augmentation solution for you, we take the time to ensure you know exactly how each procedure can improve your overall appearance and help you reach your goals as well as what each treatment looks like from start to finish.
To learn more about settling following breast augmentation and what other side effects you can expect from this treatment, call our offices in Orange County and San Diego to schedule your consultation.
