Many women notice that their breast implants seem to appear unnaturally high on the chest soon after their breast augmentation procedure. This is very common due to skin and tissue tightness and swelling, especially when the implant is inserted below the pectoral muscle. For up to a month after the procedure the breasts are usually swollen and cause the nipple to point slightly downward, producing a sagging appearance. Timing varies among patients, but the implants will settle in and move to a lower position in the weeks after surgery. At this time the illusion of sagging will disappear and the nipples will adjust to a more youthful position just above the center of the implants. The final lowering and softening will occur within six months of surgery when the swelling completely resolves, and the implants will appear in their ideal position. The high appearance of larger implants will be more noticeable at first and may take slightly longer to move to the ideal position.
In order to help your implants drop into place, your surgeon is very likely to suggest you wear a compression bra or an elastic bandage wrapped around your chest, which helps push the implants down.
While it is normal for the implants to appear high after breast augmentation, you should always contact your surgeon if you have any concerns. Dr. O’Toole encourages patients to communicate any problems or questions before or after surgery.
If you are considering a breast augmentation in the Pasadena or Los Angeles areas of California, contact us today at Pasadena Cosmetic Surgery to schedule a free consultation with our board certified plastic surgeon, Dr. Martin A. O’Toole.