How Long Does It Take For Breast Implants To Drop?

By Dr. Mark Gaon
Dr. Gaon is a board certified plastic surgeon at Finesse Plastic Surgery

Your breasts may not appear exactly as you imagined right after breast augmentation. It takes several months for your breasts to fully heal following surgery. You may notice that your new breasts appear to rest too high on your chest. However, as they heal, your breasts will settle or ‘drop’ into place. You may wonder, how long does it take for breast implants to drop?

How Do Breast Implants Drop?

An increase in the size of your breasts will be noticeable immediately after a breast augmentation surgery. However, your breasts may appear to rest too high on your chest at first. This is completely normal. Breasts will settle into a more natural position within three months for most patients.

Breast Implant Placement

Several factors affect the exact amount of time it takes for breast implants to drop. Implant placement is one factor. Most implants are submuscular, or placed under the pectoralis muscles. In this case, the pectoralis muscles becomes agitated and puts pressure on the implant. As the pectoralis muscle relaxes, your implants will drop. Implants that are placed above the pectoralis muscles will take less time to drop.

Breast Implant Type

The type of implant used during breast augmentation will also affect how long it takes for breast implants to drop. Anatomically-shaped silicone breast implants, or ‘Gummy Bear’ breast implants, will settle more quickly than conventional silicone and saline implants. This is because anatomically-shaped implants fit so precisely within the breast pocket that less movement occurs following surgery.

With anatomically-shaped implants, the pectoralis muscles tighten following surgery. This may cause them to appear flattened. While dropping will not occur, anatomically-shaped implants will appear fuller after the pectoralis muscles have relaxed.

How To Get Breast Implants to Drop: Other Factors and Additional Information

It is possible that one breast will drop more quickly than the other. Additionally, it generally takes longer for breast implants to drop in more physically developed patients because their pectoralis muscles are stronger. Medication and massage can help breast implants to drop more quickly.

While patients may wonder about the position and appearance of their breasts immediately after breast augmentation surgery, most are extremely satisfied with results once their bodies have healed. If you have questions regarding breast augmentation, schedule a consultation with a board-certified plastic surgeon today.