What to Expect During Breast Augmentation Recovery

Breast augmentation is a great way to regain breast fullness, enlarge smaller breasts, or correct asymmetrical breasts. If you are healthy, you will tolerate the surgery quite well and enjoy more self-confidence after the procedure.

Good rapport with your plastic surgeon

A successful recovery begins with a good relationship with your plastic surgeon. Like any other surgery, breast augmentation has risks and possible complications. As a patient, you need as much support and information as possible to minimize the risk of complications after the procedure.

Finding a skilled and experienced board-certified plastic surgeon is advisable. You should also look for a surgeon with whom you feel comfortable so that you can communicate honestly and know what to expect. At Politis Plastic Surgery, we have a compassionate, patient-centered approach to breast augmentation. This allows our patients to quickly establish a good rapport with their surgeon, something that is valuable during and after the procedure.

What should you expect soon after surgery?

Breast augmentation is typically an outpatient procedure. You can expect it to be completed within 1 to 3 hours. Once the surgery is done, you will be moved to the recovery area and monitored for a while. If your plastic surgeon is satisfied with your response to the procedure, you will be allowed to go home the same day.

You can expect some pain and soreness after the anesthesia wears off. Gauze, a surgical bra, or an elastic bandage will be wrapped around your chest. You may also have drainage tubes attached to your breasts for three days. Prescriptions for pain-relieving medication help ease the pain, and antibiotics can prevent infection. You will be provided with instructions to follow during the recovery period until the follow up visit.

How long will it take to recover?

The recovery period varies from one person to another. Generally, if you do not experience complications after the procedure, then you should expect a full recovery in six weeks, but your plastic surgeon will assess your overall health and give you a personalized recovery timeline. Make sure to speak with your surgeon about this before the procedure. At home, eating a balanced diet and drinking plenty of water is essential for good healing and faster recovery.

How much discomfort occurs during recovery?

It is normal to have some discomfort and disrupted sleep during the first few days or weeks after breast augmentation. Actually, the first three to five days can be quite uncomfortable, and you may need prescription pain medication. After the first week, the discomfort should be minimal, allowing you to slowly ease back into a normal daily routine with light exercise.

While residual discomfort and breast scar incisions may take months to improve, be aware that severe pain, redness and swelling need immediate medical attention. To minimize post-surgical pain and speed up your recovery, avoid strenuous or jarring activity such as running or rigorous workouts. If you have a labor-intensive job, you should remain out of work for at least three weeks.

Follow your surgeon’s instructions

The incision wound will need proper care. During the first week after surgery, all bandages and dressings remain intact, and you will need to follow your surgeon’s instructions on caring for the wounds. At Politis Plastic Surgery, we remove dressings to check your healing progress after one week. At that time, we will show you how to care for the wounds to achieve the best healing and minimal scarring.

As you follow these instructions, make sure to listen to your body, particularly to warning signs. For instance, a manageable amount of pain and nausea tend to occur after breast augmentation, but extreme pain and nausea may be a warning sign of complications. Make sure to always speak with your surgeon whenever something unusual or extreme occurs.

When should you expect to resume normal activities?

Two weeks is the usual amount of time away from work, but that depends on the physical demands of your job. Speak with your surgeon for details on what you can do to speed up your recovery. As a rule, it is best to have your surgeon’s approval before resuming normal activities, especially strenuous exercise, high-impact sports or saunas.

At Politis Plastic Surgery, we will customize your breast augmentation procedure to best suit your needs and desired surgical outcomes. Working with Dr. Effie Politis, you can expect natural-looking cosmetic surgery results and a comprehensive guide to recovery.

If you are considering breast augmentation, we encourage you to schedule your consultation session well in advance. The one-on-one session with a plastic surgeon allows you to discuss all of your concerns and become informed about what to expect. For more information about breast augmentation, visit the Politis Plastic Surgery website.