Breast Augmentation Recovery
Learn About the Recovery Time After Breast Implants
Summary: This article covers the breast augmentation recovery time, including tips to reduce swelling after surgery and the benefits of compression garments as healing aids.
After breast augmentation surgery, patients can expect to have a larger and fuller chest with enhanced cleavage. This aesthetic improvement, however, is not without side effects. First, patients must go through the breast augmentation recovery period, which typically lasts up to two weeks.
Breast augmentation is performed with general anesthesia. After the surgery, expect to feel groggy and tired for one to two days. Pain medication will be prescribed to lessen the amount of pain or soreness you feel in the chest area during this time. Following your breast augmentation surgery, you can expect your breast area to be sore for one to two weeks. Common side effects include swelling, bruising, redness, and tenderness. During your breast augmentation recovery time, your skin and natural breast tissue is adjusting to the new implants, and the incisions are healing.
The incisions may be anywhere from one to three inches long, and may be placed in the belly button or armpit, around the areola and nipples, or in the crease under the breasts. Many patients report that the incision sites itch as they heal. While the incision location is typically chosen to minimize scarring, you can expect some scars to form, which should fade gradually in appearance over the next six months to a year. They will appear red at first, returning to the color of the surrounding skin over time.
Tips to Reduce Swelling after Breast Augmentation Surgery
Swelling is one of the most common side effects experienced by those undergoing plastic surgery procedures, including breast augmentation. For the first few days after the surgery, swelling of the breast tissue may obscure the results of the procedure. As the swelling subsides, you will be able to see the results of your breast augmentation and resume your daily activities.
Having a breast augmentation recovery plan in place prior to your surgery can ensure that you are able to rest your body and get adequate food and water during the healing process. Here are a few ways to reduce swelling and reduce your recovery time following breast surgery:
- Stay hydrated
- Eat a proper diet and avoid sodium
- Get plenty of rest and ease back into your daily life gradually
- Gently massage the chest area to improve circulation and reduce fluid retention
- Avoid certain medications that can prolong swelling. Make sure that your plastic surgeon knows about all of your medications before the procedure.
Breast Augmentation Compression Garments
For several weeks following the surgery, the chest will be wrapped in surgical dressings. A compression garment or surgical bra should also be worn to support the tissues in their new position. During recovery, your breast tissue and the skin over your chest is not accustomed to holding up the weight of the implants. Wearing the correct garments recommended by your surgeon during the breast augmentation recovery period will help to control swelling, reduce tissue soreness, and ensure optimum results from your surgery.
Breast Augmentation Healing Time
Most patients take one to two weeks away from work and other obligations following breast enlargement. During your breast augmentation recovery time, it is important to restrict movement, particularly those that involve reaching over your head or bending over. Strenuous activities must be avoided for up to six weeks. Plan to return to your normal activity level gradually over a period of about ten days.
If you have significant pain lasting more than a week following breast augmentation, report it to your doctor. It may be a sign of capsular contracture, a condition in which the immune system forms collagen tightly around the implants after they are identified as a foreign object. This complication may require the implants to be removed.
