Breast augmentation surgery can be very exciting. Our patients tend to report feeling extremely satisfied with their decision to enhance the size and shape of their breasts. At the same time, there is a bit of a lag between surgery day and the final outcome of breast augmentation. You may have heard the term “settle” used to describe part of the recovery from this procedure. Here, we discuss it in more detail. 

How Breast Implants Settle

When patients first see their breasts after their augmentation procedure, they notice that their new look is not only larger but also that their breasts are quite high on the chest. The upper pole, or upper region, of the breast looks fuller than it should. High-sitting breasts are particularly common for women who have had submuscular implant placement. This appearance occurs because the breasts have not yet settled. Implants are sitting behind muscles that are tight and that are pressing them upwards, creating a rounder look. 

As part of the healing process, the muscles adjust to the presence of the implants. Gradually, the muscles loosen and, as this happens, the pressure on the implants lessens. The implants can then drop into a more natural position. This may be referred to as “dropping and fluffing” as well as settling. This term, dropping and fluffing, describes the descent of implants into a natural pocket and the “fluff,” or spread of volume out across the lower breast. Ultimately, settling results in the feminine curvature the patient envisioned before surgery.  

How and When Does Settling Occur?

Settling may occur at different rates for various patients. One of the primary factors that influences the rate of settling is the placement of the breast implants. Implants with submuscular placement typically take longer to settle than those placed sub-glandularly, or in front of the pectoral muscles.  Implant type can also contribute to this aspect of recovery. A common but relatively unexpected part of the settling process is that one breast often drops and fluffs faster than the other. The asymmetry is only temporary and, in time, the patient will have the final outcome they had anticipated all along. 

Start your breast enhancement journey today. Call 513.985.0850 to schedule your consultation at our Cincinnati office. 

Breast implant surgery has been performed for decades. It has been one of the most popular procedures since it first began and we see no evidence of that changing in the foreseeable future. What has changed and may continue to change throughout time, though, are trends related to body shape. These trends and other factors have and may influence women’s choices in breast implant size.

A few decades ago, a significant percentage of patients chose larger breast implants. At one point, the trend was to have implants so large that the look was obviously enhanced. As trends changed, more women began choosing smaller breast implants. Some of the original patients who had enhanced their breasts to unnatural-looking proportions replaced large implants with smaller ones. Today, we’re seeing another swing in trends, and women are once again going bigger, though typically not to a point of looking unnatural.

Why Women Are Going Bigger

Outside Influence

Plastic surgeons are thorough in their consultation process to ensure patients are undergoing surgery for personal reasons and not to “fix” themselves or make their bodies more appealing to any other person. This never works. Women who undergo breast enlargement for a partner or other person nearly always regret it. However, outside influence does count.

How?

The people who influence patients interested in breast augmentation are friends, especially friends who have had breast enlargement themselves. Often, women who have increased their breast size eventually say they would have gone larger. This happens because they get used to their new, larger size. While understandable, this doesn’t mean that every woman who gets breast implants will at some point want to replace them with larger devices. Remember, breast enlargement is always a very personal decision and what is right for another person may not be right for you.

Important Factors for Breast Augmentation Patients

Getting breast implants can be life-changing in a great way. The best chance at lasting satisfaction comes with careful consideration. Some of the factors to consider include:

• Natural body frame. Women with narrower chests may be overwhelmed by large breast implants.
• Clothing preferences. Having larger breasts can make certain clothing styles uncomfortable or less attractive.
• Lifestyle habits. Large breast implants may cause discomfort during exercise like jogging, dancing, or even strength-training.

Our objective is to perform breast augmentation that looks and feels as natural as possible. To learn more about this procedure, schedule a consultation at our Cincinnati office by calling 513.985.0850.

Typically, conversations that revolve around breast implants lean to the side of excitement. For decades, breast augmentation surgery has helped women feel more like themselves, more at home in their own body. That can still be the case. However, the recent recall of certain models of textured breast implants by the United States Food and Drug Administration has created a wave of fear that doesn’t need to be. Here, we want to discuss details of the recent breast implant recall so you can feel empowered to make the best decision about your wellness.

At a Glance

In a situation such as this, we know that what you want is clear, concise information. The breast implant recall at a glance shows us the following:

• The FDA has requested that certain BioCell implants made by Allergan be recalled due to an increased risk of breast implant-associated anaplastic large cell lymphoma (BIA-ALCL).
• The recall does not mean that breast implants have to be removed.
• Recalled breast implants are contained within one line by one manufacturer (more on this in a moment).
• Breast implant-associated anaplastic large cell lymphoma is highly curable when treated early.

The big question that may be on your mind, understandably, is whether or not this recall suggests that you should have your breast implants removed. You may be asking this question even if you do not have a model that has been recalled. You may be asking this question even if you don’t have textured implants!

Having breast implants removed is a very personal decision. Consider the following as you make yours:

• Cases of BIA-ALCL are quite rare, limited to about 10% of cases. They are limited to Natrelle textured breast implants made by Allergan.
• BIA-ALCL is not expected to develop in every patient with recalled textured breast implants.
• The rare form of lymphoma has been successfully treated in more than 90% of diagnosed cases.

Implants included in the FDA recall are Natrelle saline and silicone models, including highly cohesive anatomically shaped silicone implants. Additionally, the 133 tissue expander and 133 tissue expander with suture tabs in the Natrelle line have also been recalled. If you are unsure of the model of your breast implant, you can contact your treating plastic surgeon. This information will be contained in your medical record.

What is Breast Implant-Associated Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma?

BIA-ALCL is a form of lymphoma that develops in the body’s immune system. Directly, cancerous cells begin to grow in the fluid that accumulates around breast implants. Fluid accumulation can occur around numerous different kinds of implants. The FDA recall of BioCell implants occurred because Natrelle textured implants were involved in 481 out of 573 reported cases of BIA-ALCL. No other implant devices have been recalled.

Signs of BIA-ALCL include pain and swelling. One breast may look much larger than the other. Patients may also experience itching, a mass that feels like a breast cyst, or a rash on the breast. It is important to have these symptoms examined but to also know that none are a clear indication of potential lymphoma on their own.

If you are concerned about how the recent breast implant recall may affect you, schedule a visit to our Cincinnati office for a full consultation and examination. Typically, patients are advised to continue their recommended breast exams and mammograms. However, your peace of mind is important. A visit with a qualified plastic surgeon may help you feel more confident that your body will alert you of a problem, and how to watch for clues.

Call 513.985.0850 to speak with a friendly member of our staff.