Breast Augmentation has been one of the most well-known cosmetic procedures around the world for years. It is a surgical procedure to increase the size of a woman’s breasts by placing breast implants under the breast tissue or chest muscles. The procedure involves the use of an implantable medical device.

Beautiful things take time. After undergoing a breast augmentation procedure and leaving the surgical room, things does not end there. The patient still has to go through the recovery process before she is able to see the final result. The experience of recovering from the breast augmentation surgery can dissimilar greatly from individual to individual.

This is clearly comprehensible as every individual woman is different both in terms of their body’s natural recovery response, as well as their pain tolerance. Furthermore, procedural variables such as surgical technique used, different types of implant, size of the implant and other operative variation can impact the recovery process.
Understanding the details of your breast enhancement recovery timeline can help you make important decisions about when to schedule your breast augmentation surgery, request time off from work, schedule transportation to avoid unnecessary travel conflicts, arrange childcare (if needed) and generally be prepared.

Recovery after breast augmentation

Your breast enhancement recovery timeline begins with the surgery itself. From start to finish, a breast augmentation procedure takes one to two hours, and it is ordinarily performed with the patient under general anesthesia as an outpatient procedure, implying that you can return home after undergoing the surgery procedure.

The day of surgery, once the anesthesia wears off, you may begin to feel the following:

• Tight and sore around surgical area
• Swelling or bruising
• Less feeling or hypersensitivity in your nippleS
• Tingling
• General discomfort

The following are the step by step recovery process after breast augmentation:

• 2-3 days following the surgery
• 1st week following surgery
• 2nd weeks after the surgery
• 4 to 6 weeks after surgery
• Several months after the surgery

Here’s what you need to know about the recovery process, how you’ll feel, and how to care for your new breasts after your surgery.

Right after the procedure, the majority of the patients will experience some degree of pain after the procedure, particularly within the 2-3 days following the surgery. On the first 24 to 48 hours following the surgery, the movement of arm will be restricted. Small thin tubes will be in place under your skin to drain excess body fluids or blood for 48 hours.

Most patients experience light to moderate pain which can actually be tolerated by pain medications. At first, swelling of breasts and bruising in the chest area is also a typical scene. Patients are also required to wear a surgical bra or compression garment immediately after the surgery in order to avoid placing stress on your stitches by limiting breast movement. It is important for the patient to keep the bra/garment on 24/7 until 4-6th week post-recovery where they can slowly transition back into regular bras.

Meanwhile, some feel little to no pain. The severity of pain, depends on the tolerance for pain and surgical technique used. Others may feel nausea form anesthesia used in procedure. It is important to practice and refrain from using nicotine, drinking alcohol and taking blood-thinning medication before or after the surgery.

By the 2nd day, if the patients are getting better, it will be okay to take a shower but there should be someone who will assists her to the things she need.
Take note: Shower is allowed, but bath tubs is not recommended during the first 6 weeks.

During the first week following surgery. It is completely normal for the implants to feel hard and sit in a high position, sometimes to the point where the nipples can point downward. Most patients will be adequate to go back to work and perform light activity. Yet still, it is important to make sure that you avoid to bending down and no heavy lifting for the first 6 weeks. Patients are required to return for a post-op appointment to check the incisions and breasts examination.

On the 2nd week after the surgery, the old daily routine is starting to be back on track again. In the majority, patients can perform normal daily activities without any pain. But still, there’s a limitation that any intense exercise should continue to be fend off. Even though it is 14 days following the surgery, the patients still need to refrain themselves from heavy lifting and forceful activities. Step by step, she can do light lower body exercise for her practice.

At the 4-6 weeks following the surgery the implants will begin to soften and settle to a more desirable position. Most patients, feel comfortable enough to start light exercise but the chest workout should be avoided. The patients can go back to wearing sports or push-up bras during this timeframe.

In this period, the patients can now continue doing their routine exercises and activities BUT they still need to wear a stretchy but supportive sports bra during the exercises.

The patients should be cleared for all lower body exercises in their 10 to 12 weeks following the surgery, they are now able to continue their heavy lifting activities and upper body exercises on their 3 months mark.

Several months of the surgery the breasts will begin to take on a more natural look. Patients can now sleep in any desired position or wear any push-up bras of their choice.

The scar tissue will begin to mend, and will continue to be less visible as time goes by, and blend in the skin pigment (color). If the scars are properly cared for, it should essentially fade off on its own by the two year mark.

It’s broadly recommended that you schedule one or two follow-up arrangements in the month following your surgery to consult with your surgeon about your results. They will observe the incision site and breast fold to ensure proper healing, and to affirm that you are happy with the results of the implant size and shape.

Recovery tips after breast augmentation

• Get lots of rest and sleep.
• Have plenty of light, healthy foods and water at home.
• Don’t remove your bandages until you have been given the all-clear by the surgeon to minimize the risk of infection.
• Follow the swelling and scar management strategies provided by your surgeon.
• Avoid wearing tight-fitting clothing or any tops that require you to raise your arms. Button-down tops and tops that zip up in the front are more suitable.
• Proper sleeping position (sleep upright with pillows behind your back)
• Keep incisions out of the sun.
• Contact your doctor immediately when you are in extreme pain or experience excessive bleeding or swelling.