After a breast augmentation, your breasts will go through a series of changes during the first few months before settling into their final position. This process is commonly known as implant settling. You may be anxious to see your new breasts after your BA procedure; however, it’s important to remain patient during the recovery process. And remember that, like with all surgeries, breast augmentation results will begin to show over time.
The amount of time it takes for the breast implants to settle can sometimes be speedy, while other times could take a little longer. Ultimately, the amount of time it takes to recover depends on the individual and a few different factors. Because each case is unique, there is no definitive timeframe on how long it takes to start seeing results, but you can expect to start seeing your final results in up to 3 months.
Factors to consider
- Implant Type: Researching and choosing different Types of Implants for Breast Augmentation is essential when getting a BA. Size, shape, and texture should all be taken into account when it comes to the amount of time it will take for the implants to drop to their final position. Smooth and round implants tend to drop faster as it is easier for them to rotate and turn more freely. Because anatomically shaped implants are typically textured, there tends to be friction between surrounding tissue and implants, resulting in less movement and a different recovery process.
- Implant Placement: The breast implant can be placed in two different locations- submuscular, under the chest muscle, or sub-glandular, over the chest muscle. Implants placed below the chest muscle will require more time to drop, versus the implants placed over the chest muscle, which will take less time to settle.
- Body Type: Patients with stronger chest muscles may find that it will take longer for their breast implants to drop because their pectoralis muscles are more physically developed.
- Post-op Care: Your plastic surgeon will give you post-op instructions to help the recovery process move along smoothly and quickly. Following the instructions given to you by your doctor will help speed along the amount of time it will take for your implants to drop. Post-op massages can be beneficial in softening and relaxing the breast tightness, which will help breast implants to settle sooner. Some medications can also help speed up the process.
It’s important to remember that the amount of time it takes for a breast implant to settle is situational as every patient is different. Several factors also affect the recovery process. Patience is critical during the breast implant recovery as your body heals and implants settle to their final form. How long do breast implants last?