Breast Implant Settling
Many women are dissatisfied with the appearance of their figure due to a small or disproportionate chest. Women who wish to enhance the bust line should consider breast augmentation with experienced plastic surgeon Gregory T. Mesna. Breast augmentation increases the sizes of the breasts through the placement of implants. Breast implants increase bust size while enhancing the shape of the breasts and improving body proportions. Most patients are extremely satisfied with the results of breast augmentation surgery.
However, it is important to understand that breast augmentation results are not immediate. Although the breasts will look larger as soon as surgery is complete, it takes time for the breast implants to settle into the ideal position. Until settling has occurred, the breast implants may appear to sit unnaturally high. Breast augmentation settling takes time, but in the end, our Minneapolis, MN patients will have the shapely bust line they desire.
Why Do Implants Need to Settle?
During the initial phase of recovery, the breast implants may appear to sit too high on the chest. This leads many patients to question why the breast implants weren’t placed lower. In actuality, the implants are likely to be in the correct position. The skin and muscle at the bottom of the breast just need time to stretch and accommodate the implants. This is especially true in the first several days after surgery, when the chest muscles are likely to be swollen, leaving less room for the implants to settle. Until settling has occurred, the fluids or silicone in the implant will gather toward the top of the breast.
How Long Does It Take for Settling to Occur?
Settling is a process that is unique for each patient. Each body heals from surgery differently. Until swelling has gone down and the muscles and skin have stretched, the implants will not settle into their ideal position. In most cases, a substantial amount of settling will occur within the first month of recovery, although it occasionally takes longer.
It is also important to note that the implant in one breast may settle before the other. This can make the chest appear lopsided, but this will only be temporary. By six months after surgery, both implants should be completely settled and the full results of surgery will be apparent.
Techniques to Encourage Settling
Settling is a process that should occur naturally in the weeks and months following surgery. However, there are techniques we may suggest to encourage settling. It can be a good idea to wear a sports bra or compression garment that is designed to apply pressure to the upper half of the breast. Some patients also find that massaging the breasts in a downward motion helps. While these techniques may be beneficial, the settling process is just something that will take time.
Contact Us
Breast augmentation improves the size and shape of the breasts to give women the shapely figure they desire. If you would like to learn more about breast augmentation surgery, contact us at your earliest convenience. Dr. Gregory T. Mesna is happy to answer any questions you may have about this popular cosmetic procedure.