As one of the most popular plastic surgeries year after year, tens of thousands of women who undergo breast augmentation look forward to a body they feel more comfortable and confident in.
And in classic “it’s always darkest before the dawn” fashion, that means they look just beyond a short but painful recovery period that follows their surgery.
Here’s what that recovery period looks like from week to week for most patients.
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Your Postoperative Timeline
Knowing what to anticipate after your treatment might be beneficial, but detailed information regarding the weeks and months after breast augmentation can be difficult to come across. The more you know about your healing timeline, the more prepared you will be. Take a look at our breast augmentation recovery breakdown to see how a normal breast augmentation healing procedure takes and what you can anticipate in the weeks and months to come.
24 Hours After a Breast Augmentation
Breast augmentation is an outpatient treatment, and you will be able to return home the same day. You’ll need to arrange for someone to drive you home since you’ll still be under the influence of anaesthetic. It’s also a good idea to have someone around for the remainder of the day in case you need any assistance.
After a breast augmentation surgery it is common to experience the following symptoms for the first 24 hours:
- Soreness
- Weariness
- Nausea
- Chest tightness
- Oversensitivity or lack of sensitivity
- Swelling and bruising.
These symptoms are temporary and will pass. Within a few days, the discomfort should start to fade, and the general stiffness or burning feeling in the chest should disappear within a few months.
It is suggested that you use over-the-counter pain medicines such acetaminophen as indicated, in order to keep you comfortable.
5 to 7 Days After Surgery
You may have slight pain or discomfort after the first week. The severity of the pain, on the other hand, should have diminished. If recommended by your surgeon, you may be allowed to resume regular activities at this time.
However, vigorous movements such as raising your arms over your head should be avoided since they might cause discomfort and bleeding. Your breast implants will start to settle in at this point in the healing process. Following any post-operative instructions, such as massaging the breast tissue to assist with relaxing the muscles and minimize swelling, is critical.
3 to 4 Weeks After Surgery
You should be in little to no pain or discomfort at this point. Breast swelling and bruises should have subsided and disappeared. However, depending on the kind of surgery and the severity of the procedure it is typical to still have bruises.
Your doctor may advise you to start doing mild workouts but to avoid severe activity. At this time, wearing a post-surgical bra and front closure bras may help encourage recovery.
4 to 6 Weeks After Surgery
Most patients have totally healed at this time and may resume normal activities. Your breasts should have a more natural appearance and feel.
The Following Months
You may have to wait three to four months to obtain your complete results from your breast augmentation surgery. You can expect the following:
- The breast will have settled into the optimal placement.
- Side and bottom rounding will have a nice definition.
- Breasts will be considerably softer to the touch and look natural.
- At this stage, most patients are advised to use underwire bras.
If you believe breast augmentation is the ideal procedure for you now that you know more about the recovery process, you should consult with a board-certified plastic surgeon to discuss your personal goals and concerns.
