According to the American Society of Plastic surgeons 2020 report, breast augmentation is among the top five cosmetic surgical procedures. Despite its popularity, it is vital to know what to expect before proceeding with the procedure and the recovery period. Breast enlargement has a lengthy recovery period, beginning as soon as the patient gets wheeled out of the surgery room. There are generally five recovery stages if everything goes accordingly.
Prepare a Comfortable Recovery Place
Breast augmentation surgery is a one-day procedure. It hardly requires further hospitalization. The patient gets released to go home immediately after the surgery. The procedure also occurs in outpatient cosmetic surgery facilities. Therefore, patients are solely responsible for the comfortability and practicability of their recovery area.
After surgery, the patient can hardly do anything because of the soreness of the surgical site and the upper body area. Thus, the room needs to have all essentials easily accessible. One of the first breast augmentation expectations involves preparation for home recovery. Ready the recovery room in advance. It should be near a restroom for easy access to the bathroom.
Have a station for snacks, beverages, and nutritious foods that are easy to prep. Get your favorite books and entertainment unit within arms reach to have something enjoyable to keep you busy during recovery. Most importantly, have all the prescriptions filled and easily accessible.
Make Room for Light Walking
The first week after the surgery is perhaps the most uncomfortable. The body is still sore and painful from the breast augmentation procedure at this stage. The surgeon will prescribe pain medication to handle the discomfort. As the week progresses, there will be a slight improvement.
Continuously lying down interferes with blood flow to the extremities. It provides the perfect environment for clots to form in the deep veins. Some light walking is highly recommended during this period to keep the circulation at optimum.
Gradually Resume Regular Functioning
Most patients return to work after the second week of recovery. However, having another extra week or two for the body to recuperate is ideal. Pain and swelling will have significantly subsided at this stage. The patient should continue to avoid strenuous activities and stick to a light and manageable routine.
Demanding physical activities can interfere with healing, which in turn causes irregular scar tissue formation. It can also cause tears at the incision site. Therefore, light to moderate physical activity for the upper body during the early weeks of recovery is vital.
Wait for the Surgeon’s Cue to Fully Resume Everyday Activities
After 4 to 6 weeks post-surgery, most patients return to their full routine. However, a specialized and board-certified breast augmentation plastic surgeon should give the go-ahead for the patient to resume daily activities – including strenuous physical activities. Avoid heavy workouts or physical activity involving the upper body until the sixth week.
When to Expect Full Recovery after a Breast Augmentation Surgery
Breast implants take 3 to 4 months to settle at the appropriate position. The size and shape of the breast will keep changing for several months after the breast augmentation procedure until the implants settle.
FAQs
How Long Does it Take for breasts to Look Normal After a Breast Augmentation?
The breast implants take several months to settle on the breast tissue or chest muscle as the swelling subsides from the surgery. Expect changes in breast size from 3 to 4 months after surgery. As the breast tissue and muscle relax, the implant will rest in its intended position giving the breast the desired look.
What are the Dos and Don’ts After a Breast Augmentation Procedure?
Avoid strenuous activity post-surgery. Rest as much as possible to enable the body to heal. Surgeons recommend starting with light upper body activities that require minimal use of the muscles in this area.
Muscles in the upper body will still be sore for about four to six weeks. Therefore, avoid straining them further with heavy activities. The incisions also need to heal. Heavy lifting can cause tears that interfere with healing. Consult a surgeon before resuming a normal everyday routine fully.
How Long Does a Breast Augmentation Procedure Take?
Breast enlargement surgery takes approximately 1 to 2 hours. The patient recovers at home unless they develop issues that require extended monitoring. A large percentage of patients go home after the surgery.
How Painful is Breast Augmentation Recovery?
The first week is the most difficult of the recovery period. The patient gets painkillers to counter the discomfort and pain. The upper body will feel sore. Patients also feel general weakness from the effects of general anesthesia.
Pain, soreness, and swelling reduce gradually. By the second and third weeks, the intensity is manageable for most women. After 4 to 6 weeks, most of the discomfort should be over. Complete healing continues after several months as the implant completely settles.
How Much Time Will You Need to Take Off Work After a Breast Enlargement Surgery?
Full recovery takes about 4 to 6 weeks. However, how quickly the body recuperates depends on the patient’s ability to rest and gradually resume living. Avoid strenuous activity or overworking, and let the body heal.
