Will My Implants Shrink after Surgery?
Implants do not actually “shrink” in size after surgery. However, in cases where they are placed under the muscle, they may give the illusion of being slightly smaller compared to when you initially tried on sizers during your consultation.
When selecting the appropriate breast implant size, you must take numerous factors into account. From your height, to chest anatomy, and to breast tissue , everything can influence the choice you make. Occasionally, due to the intricacies of breast augmentation, women may end up with implants that appear smaller than their expectations.
What Is ”Drop and Fluff” after Breast Implants?
After breast augmentation surgery, patients often hear about the ‘drop and fluff’ phenomenon, which is a crucial aspect of the post-operative journey. The ‘fluff and drop’ phase refers to the natural process of breast implants settling into their final position and the surrounding tissues adjusting to accommodate the new size. During this period, which typically occurs in the weeks to months following surgery, the implants gradually descend, and any initial tightness or high appearance begins to soften. The term ‘drop and fluff’ captures the idea that, as the implants drop into a more natural position, the breasts ‘fluff’ or take on a softer, more natural contour. This phase is essential for achieving the desired aesthetic outcome, and patients should be patient as their breasts evolve during the healing process.
Do Breast Implants Look Different at First?
Breast implants can look different immediately after the surgery compared to their final appearance. There are a few reasons for this:
Swelling: After breast augmentation surgery, swelling is common, and it can affect the overall appearance of the breasts. Swelling can make the breasts look larger, firmer, and less natural in the initial stages. Over time, as the swelling subsides, the breasts will settle into a more natural shape and size.
Implant Position: During the early stages of healing, breast implants may appear higher on the chest than their final position. This is because the implants need time to settle into the pocket created by the surgeon. As the tissues relax and the muscles adjust, the implants gradually descend into a more natural position.
Skin Stretching: The skin surrounding the breasts needs time to accommodate the new implants. Initially, the skin may appear tight or stretched, giving the breasts a higher and rounder appearance. As the skin gradually stretches and adjusts to the implants, the breasts will assume a more natural shape and contour.
Let us note that the exact appearance and timeline for settling can vary among individuals. It can take several weeks to several months for the breasts to fully settle and for the final results of the breast augmentation procedure to become apparent. Your surgeon will provide you with specific post-operative instructions and guidelines to follow during the healing process. It’s crucial to consult with a qualified plastic surgeon to understand the details of the procedure, the potential outcomes, and the recovery process.
What Are My Options if My Implants Are too Small?
If you are dissatisfied with the size of your breast implants and feel they are too small, there are a few options you can consider: revision surgery, fat transfer, or combination approach.
Revision Surgery
The most common approach is to undergo a revision surgery to replace the current implants with larger ones. This involves removing the existing implants and replacing them with larger ones to achieve the desired size and shape. It’s important to consult with a qualified plastic surgeon who can assess your situation. Discuss your desired outcome, and guide you through the revision process with your doctor.
Fat Transfer
Another option is to undergo a fat transfer procedure, also known as autologous fat grafting. In this procedure, we harvest fat from another area of your body through liposuction. Afterwards, we inject it into the breasts to enhance their size and shape. This method can provide a more natural look and feel. However, the amount of augmentation achievable may be restrictive depending on the available fat donor sites.
Combination
In some cases, a combination of revision surgery and fat transfer can be employed to achieve the desired breast size and shape. This approach allows for more customization and can address specific concerns you may have, such as asymmetry or contour irregularities.
If you find that your breast implants seem smaller than desired, undergoing revision surgery may not be the only solution to achieve your desired results. There are actually multiple approaches available to achieve fuller breasts after augmentation. To gather more information about the available options, feel free to reach out to ClinicExpert in Istanbul at +90 535 976 96 63. Our team will provide personalized advice tailored to your needs.