“Drop and Fluff”: The Crucial Process After Breast Augmentation
No, it’s not the latest trendy move; “drop and fluff” is an informal term that depicts the settling of breast implants following an augmentation, and it holds significant importance in the recovery journey. Here, leading plastic surgeons elaborate on what “drop and fluff” entails and how it influences the ultimate outcome of your breast augmentation.
“Dropping” Signifies Implant Stabilization
In the immediate aftermath of an augmentation, breasts appear highly rounded and positioned high on the chest; eventually, they assume a more teardrop-like form. Attribute this to the familiar force of gravity. “As time progresses, the bottom of the breast implant will shift more towards the base of the breast area,” explains Dr. Jerome Edelstein, a certified plastic surgeon in Toronto. It’s not necessarily that the implant itself is moving downward by a substantial margin – although it might descend a centimeter or two – but rather that it’s being redistributed and finding its final placement.
The alterations in the surrounding tissue also contribute, along with the swelling that inevitably occurs after the surgery. “Following a breast augmentation, there’s considerable swelling on the upper side of the chest, where the chest wall transitions into the breast,” explains New York City board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Melissa Doft. “Since that swelling is higher on the breast, as it reduces, it gives the impression that the implant has dropped.”
“Fluffing” Denotes Skin Expansion
Regardless of whether you position a breast implant beneath or above the muscle, there’s substantial expansion and stretching of both the tissue and the overlying skin, subsequent to the procedure, as well as scar tissue that forms around the implant, states Dr. Ashley Amalfi, a board-certified plastic surgeon in Rochester, New York. This tissue is taut and firm because it’s being pulled tightly, and it requires time for the skin to stretch and soften. “As it expands, you not only obtain a more convex appearance, but the breast also starts to feel more supple,” she adds. (It’s worth noting that the previously mentioned swelling is also part of the reason breasts feel so firm after surgery.) Envision one of those mattresses that come in a box. When you initially extract it, it’s tight, stiff, and compressed; as it relaxes, it assumes its natural shape and, quite literally, puffs up. The same phenomenon occurs with your breasts and the implants during the healing process.
Related: Silicone vs. Saline Breast Implants? 5 Insights on Selecting the Right Type for You
“Drop and Fluff” Is an Ongoing Procedure
“The breasts you observe one week post-surgery do not predict the final result you’ll obtain,” emphasizes Dr. Edelstein. So, how long does the “drop and fluff” process take? Approximately three to six months is average, though it takes a full year to achieve the definitive look, notes Dr. Doft. And keep in mind that changes persist throughout this period. “You’ll notice a difference from week to week; it’s just that the entire process takes several months,” says Dr. Edelstein.
Factors such as the size of your implants, your natural breast size, and whether the implant is placed beneath the muscle all have an impact on the duration of the settling/healing process. It typically takes longer for someone with a naturally smaller frame and smaller initial breasts compared to someone with larger breasts or who is postpartum and has already stretched breast tissue, notes Dr. Edelstein. As a general guideline, the larger the implant, the longer the dropping and fluffing period. Implants placed under the muscle also take longer because they need to push against the muscle and force both it and the tissue to stretch, says Dr. Doft.
Some Asymmetry Is Ordinary
Whether augmented or natural, breasts are like sisters, not twins. “While the ‘drop and fluff’ is a normal aspect of the healing process, the precise response can vary from breast to breast,” says Dr. Amalfi. Dr. Edelstein concurs: “Breasts develop at different paces. You truly need to consider it as two separate surgeries, each with distinct healing processes.” The main point is, don’t be alarmed if your breasts are slightly asymmetrical during this initial three- to six-month period.
However, you should be concerned if the asymmetry is highly conspicuous – that is, if one breast is dropping and fluffing smoothly while the other remains unchanged, says Dr. Edelstein. Similarly, consult your doctor if one of your (or both) breasts is becoming harder and firmer instead of softer, warns Dr. Amalfi. Both scenarios could indicate capsular contracture, a complication where excessive scar tissue forms around the implant, likely due to a certain type of bacteria, explains Dr. Doft. If there’s no capsular contracture or other complication and it’s merely that the breasts are advancing at very different rates, there are additional actions your doctor might suggest. This could include options like massage or wearing a compressive band to expedite the implant’s settlement into its final position, she adds.
