When will you see results after breast augmentation surgery?
Bigger breasts in a matter of hours! Sounds amazing, right? And it’s totally possible due to the plastic surgery intervention that uses breast implants to increase the volume of the breasts. The procedure is very popular nowadays; we know it under the name of breast augmentation, breast implant surgery, breast enhancement, boob job, and so on. The procedure is performed in under two hours in most cases, and the results are visible immediately. So, the short answer to the question “When will I see results after breast augmentation?” is “The moment you wake up from the effects of the general anesthesia.” However, there are more details to discuss when it comes to the final results of the procedure. Being aware of all these details can help patients better navigate the recovery period and set up realistic expectations from the surgery. Let’s see together what the long answer to this question is!
Breast augmentation surgical approach
The results of the breast augmentation surgery are dependent on the surgical plan. During the initial consultation with the plastic surgeon, the patient will find out all the details about what happens during the procedure, the size and type of implants to be used, and all the other details. The plastic surgeon checks the condition of the breast tissue and recommends the surgical approach in terms of placement of the implants and position of the incisions. The options are:
Implant placement:
Submuscular placement of the implants – implants are inserted into a pocket created under the pectoral muscles of the chest;
Subglandular placement of the implants – implants are inserted into a pocket created under the glandular tissue;
Dual plane placement – implants are inserted with the upper part under the pectoral muscles and the lower part under the glandular tissue.
Incision position:
Inframammary incision – the incisions are made in the fold under the breasts, at the meeting point of the breasts with the chest wall, and they follow the shape of the breasts;
Periareolar incision – the incisions are made on the outer part of the areola, in a circular motion;
Transaxillary incision – the incisions are made at the level of the armpits; there are no marks left at the level of the breasts.
Each option has pros and cons and is indicated for one type of patient or the other. In other words, there is no one-size-fits-all or “the best” solution when it comes to breast augmentation with implants. However, a popular approach nowadays is the dual plane placement of the incision and the inframammary incision. The dual-plane placement can minimize the occurrence of post-op complications such as capsular contracture and also delivers natural-looking results. At the same time, the inframammary incision is barely visible when it heals nicely and can be used again if implant replacement is necessary.
The recovery period after breast augmentation
After the breast implant surgery is performed, patients can leave the medical facility where the intervention took place within 24 to 48 hours, depending on the condition of the patient. Because breast implants are inserted during the surgery, patients notice the breasts are bigger when they wake up from the anesthesia. But this is not a good time to evaluate the results of breast implant surgery.
Breasts can be bruised and swollen after the intervention; most patients experience a tight feeling due to the implants stretching the skin, as well as other discomforts. This is normal after the surgery, and the plastic surgeon prescribes analgesic medication to help alleviate the potential pain and discomfort.
Breast augmentation results - short term
In the first few days after the surgery, most patients notice that their breasts are much bigger than they expected. This happens because the tissues of the breasts have been injured during the surgery, and there is a lot of swelling in the area. Because of this, the breasts can also seem very hard to the touch and even painful. This is what you can expect when it comes to short term results after breast augmentation surgery.
The breasts can also seem to be high on the chest wall, too high, in an almost unnatural position. This is also normal and nothing to be worried about. The reason behind this is the use of breast implants. The tissues of the body need to adjust to the implants to accommodate them. You might have heard before about the drop and fluff of the breast implants. This is a process that starts in the first few days post-op but is completed in about three months or more after the intervention.
Long term results after breast augmentation – Drop and Fluff
You will know your implants have dropped not only because they won’t seem so high on the chest wall but also because the breasts will change their shape when this happens. Also, the breasts will feel softer to the touch, more similar to natural breast tissue.
The implants can drop and fluff after a month or so in some cases, but the aspect of the breasts can still undergo changes as the swelling subsides and the implants settle. When this happens, the lower part of the breasts will look fuller. So, in six to 12 weeks, patients can see the final results after breast augmentation.
Wound healing after breast augmentation surgery
Another aspect we should discuss when it comes to the final results of breast implant surgery is the wound healing process. Even if the implants have settled in their final position, the surgical incisions might take longer to fade. The scars left after the breast implant surgery won’t disappear entirely, but in six to eight months, they will be barely visible if the wound healing process was without complications. So, for some people, it might take up to six months or a bit more to see the final aspect of the breasts.
Final words
The breasts get bigger immediately after breast implants were inserted, but it can take weeks and even months for the final results of the procedure to be fully visible. Patients are advised not to mistake the aspect of the breasts in the first month with the final results of the intervention. The breasts will change shape as they drop and fluff in the months following the procedure. The wound healing process can also take time, so patience is essential after breast implant surgery. In most cases, the results are final after 3 to 6 months.