Can You Feel Breast Implants After Surgery?
One of the most common questions I receive from patients after breast augmentation is whether it’s normal to feel the edge of a breast implant. Recently, a patient messaged me to say:
“I can basically feel the edge of my left implant under my breast tissue. There’s no pain or heat – it just feels like the implant has been dislodged. Should I be worried?”
This is a great question, and the answer is reassuring. Here’s what you need to know.
It’s Normal to Feel Implants in Certain Situations
Breast implants sit underneath either the breast tissue alone or a combination of breast tissue and muscle. In some areas – particularly at the outer, inner, or lower edge of the breast – the skin and soft tissue can naturally be thinner. This means the edge of the implant may sometimes be felt, especially as swelling reduces after surgery.
Swelling Changes Over Time
In the early weeks after surgery, swelling can make the breasts feel firm and “full.” It often takes a year or more for all swelling to completely settle. As this happens, patients sometimes notice changes in how the implant feels, including the ability to feel its outline a little more clearly.
Body Fat Distribution Plays a Role
Your body is constantly changing. Weight gain or weight loss – or even natural shifts in fat distribution – can alter the thickness of tissue overlying the implant. If there’s less natural padding between the skin and the implant, you’re more likely to notice the edges.
Surgical Factors
During surgery, the breast crease is often adjusted and may drop slightly (sometimes by a centimetre or so). This creates the right positioning for the implant but also makes the lower skin slightly thinner. Again, this can make implant edges easier to feel.
What’s Normal vs. What’s Not
- Normal:
- Feeling or even seeing a slight outline of the implant edge, particularly at thinner areas of the breast.
- Subtle changes over time as swelling settles and tissue adjusts.
- Not Normal:
- A sudden new asymmetry that wasn’t present at your post-operative check-up.
- Redness, pain, or heat (which may indicate infection).
- Noticeable changes in breast shape suggesting implant displacement.
If you notice changes that concern you, it’s always best to compare with your clinical photographs or arrange a review appointment.
What to Do if You Notice Implant Edges
- Don’t panic. Feeling the implant edge is very common and usually harmless.
- Review your clinical photos. If you have access to the images from your follow-up, compare them to your current appearance.
- Contact your surgeon. If you don’t have access to your photographs, your surgeon can usually send you a secure link to view them.
- Book a check-up if the change seems significant or asymmetric.
Final Thoughts
Being able to feel the edge of a breast implant doesn’t mean anything has gone wrong – in fact, it’s an expected part of how implants interact with the body. What matters most is whether there are new, unexpected changes such as sudden asymmetry, discomfort, or visible distortion. If in doubt, check your photos or get in touch with your surgeon for reassurance.