Patients who have recently had breast augmentation may have heard about the process known as “drop and fluff”. So what exactly is “drop and fluff”, and what does it mean for you?
“Drop and fluff” is a well-described process that relates to the changing appearance of your implants after a breast augmentation procedure. Patients will naturally want to see the final results of breast enlargement straight away after the procedure. However, it will take a period of time for the implants to drop or settle into their final position as there will initially be a significant amount of swelling.
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It is not uncommon after having a breast augmentation to notice in the first three or four days after surgery that your breasts don’t quite look as you had hoped for. Do not panic, as the appearance of the breasts will significantly improve during the recovery period, and it will take between one to 2 weeks to start seeing the final results becoming apparent.
After any breast augmentation surgery, it is normal for the breasts to appear higher up on the chest with associated swelling and a tightness sensation. Many patients remark that their breasts resemble the appearance of torpedoes! This is an entirely normal phenomenon, and the breasts may even appear a little smaller after surgery. However, the “drop and fluff” phenomenon will take place over the first couple of weeks as the surrounding soft tissues gradually relax and allow the implants to migrate to their desired position.
When we refer to the “drop,” we are referring to the stretching of the skin and relaxation of the muscles. This gradually leads to the breast implant migrating downwards and in a lateral direction, which is a change from the initial high-up appearance on the chest wall. This often causes the nipples to point downwards initially.
The “fluff” stage describes the breast implants occupying the lower part of the breast tissue, primarily beneath the level of the nipple. As swelling begins to settle down and the surrounding soft tissues begin to relax, the breasts will begin to look larger and have a softer consistency.
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After the first two weeks, the initial tightness, which many patients described after breast augmentation, will begin to resolve, and the breasts will gradually soften as the surrounding soft tissue around the implant relaxes. It is very important to follow the surgeon’s post-operative instructions for recovery to ensure you get the best possible results.
Patients considering breast augmentation should remember that the “drop and fluff” phenomenon takes time, and they should not be alarmed by the appearance of their breasts initially. The implants will gradually fall into the correct position as the surrounding skin and soft tissues undergo relaxation. After 4 to 6 weeks, the lower aspect of the breast will gradually show an enhancement in projection, which will help to give the appearance of a natural-looking breast augmentation.
To ensure the “drop and fluff” process progresses smoothly, our post-operative nurses will see you in one week and show you the correct technique for massaging the breasts. This will help the breast implants migrate downwards into their breast pocket. When you think of “drop and fluff,” we think it’s useful to think of the process as “softening and settling” the breast implants into their final position.
Our surgeons are renowned for creating natural-looking results after breast augmentation, which is one of the most commonly performed procedures at our Baker Street clinic in London.
