"Drop and fluff" is the reassuring process by which implants settle after surgery. Understanding it stops patients worrying that an early high, firm result is the final one.
What happens
- Drop: the implant gradually descends as the muscle and tissue relax and the lower pole stretches, lowering the implant into a natural position.
- Fluff: the lower breast fills out and softens, and fullness shifts from the upper pole to a more natural distribution.
Timeline
Most of the change happens over the first 3 months, continuing up to around 6 months. Each breast can settle at a slightly different rate, so temporary asymmetry during this phase is normal. If significant asymmetry or a high-riding implant persists beyond settling, mention it at follow-up.