A Guide to Breast Augmentation Recovery
Breast augmentation surgery has been performed for more than half a century now. In other words, it's not a new procedure. The developments in terms of the surgical approach and the implants' quality have made it possible for the patient to have a fast and safe recovery period. Nowadays, the patient can leave the medical facility where the breast augmentation surgery was performed within 12-24 hours after waking up from the anesthesia. However, after breast augmentation surgery, the recovery period is an important step in the journey of getting the breasts of your dreams. The patient's ability to follow the plastic surgeon's recommendations can make or break the success of the procedure. In other words, the results achieved with breast augmentation surgery are dependent on what happens during the recovery period.
Woman without Breast Augmenation
Stages of Recovery After the Breast Augmentation Surgery
The recovery period after surgical intervention is different from patient to patient. Several factors can influence the duration of the healing process. For example, patients with implants introduced under the pectoral muscles usually have a longer (and somehow more painful) recovery period. But the age, health, and emotional condition of the patient and other factors are just important in determining the length of the recovery period.
What Happens After a Breast Augmentation Surgery?
The first few hours
After the surgery is performed, the patient is moved to a recovery room where she will rest in bed until waking up from the general anesthesia's effects for this procedure. After waking up, the patient will get help to get out of the bed and take a few steps around the room. This is important for a fast recovery and also to prevent potential complications that could occur after any type of surgical intervention.
The first few days
As mentioned before, the patient can leave the clinic within the first 24 hours after the intervention if no complications occur. It's important to have someone to help you with the daily chores upon returning home, as for the first few days and even weeks, it is important to avoid certain activities. In most cases, the patient will want to rest and spend most of the time in bed the first few days post-op. However, it's important also to walk every couple of hours. This can expedite the recovery, so make sure to get off the bed at least a couple of times per day. Some patients can resume driving within the first-week post-op; just make sure not to stretch the arms to get the car door. Getting a shower is also possible and recommended; however, make sure to avoid hot baths and hot water in the shower.
Patients can experience pain during this stage of the recovery process, but usually, it can be alleviated with simple analgesic medication.
During the first few days, it's crucial to pay attention to any signs of infection – such as high fever, puss coming from the surgical incisions, redness in the area – and call your plastic surgeon or doctor if you notice any.
The first two weeks
This is when most patients resume work, as well as most of their other usual activities. The pain and discomfort are no more than a distant memory at this point, so it is much easier to keep an active lifestyle. However, keep in mind that you are still not allowed to do any physical exercises that involve pressure at the chest and arms level. This means that you can go for long walks, but avoid lifting heavy objects as this might trigger the opening of the incisions that can result in visible scarring.
Even if most patients feel completely recovered after the first two to three weeks post-op, this doesn't mean that now is a good time to evaluate your breast augmentation surgery results. Now your breasts might still be swollen and bruised (normal occurrence after any type of surgery), and the breast implants have not descended yet. Generally speaking, it can take as long as six months for the recovery process to be completed, even up to 12 months if we want to evaluate the scars too.
Activities to Avoid in the First Few Weeks After Breast Augmentation Surgery
Smoking can have a significant negative effect on your recovery period, so this is one of the things you should avoid after undergoing breast augmentation. Smoking can cause improper oxygenation of the tissues, which can translate into delayed wound healing, skin necrosis, and other complications that could otherwise be avoided.
The patient should avoid all kinds of ample arms movements and stretching that can impact the chest muscles, as this might cause implant migration or other issues with the implants. Lifting heavy objects is also to be avoided for the same reason.
Intercourse should be avoided for at least two to three weeks after the breast augmentation surgery to avoid complications, pain, and discomfort.
Sleeping on the tummy is another thing that should be avoided for at least a couple of months after the breast augmentation procedure is performed. The patient is advised to sleep on the back and get a few pillows to support the body to not roll on the front accidentally during nighttime.
Final Words
If you are ready to enhance the aspect of the breasts with breast augmentation surgery, make sure to choose a talented and experienced board-certified plastic surgeon to guide you through the steps of the intervention and the recovery process. Schedule now an appointment with our board-certified plastic surgeon, Dr. Essie Yates, at the Yates Institute for Plastic Surgery in Fort Lauderdale.