If you’ve decided to have breast augmentation, chances are you are excited about the surgery. While you may be delighted about transforming your look, it’s also crucial to have a clear understanding of what to expect after surgery. Knowing the length of the recovery phase will help you plan accordingly and not be overwhelmed during the process.
About Breast Augmentation
Breast augmentation is a surgical procedure that is done to increase the size of the breasts. This typically involves using silicone or saline-filled breast implants to enhance the fullness of the breasts. Breast implants are available in various shapes, sizes, and textures.
Different techniques can be used to perform breast augmentation, including the popular inframammary technique. The incision for the inframammary technique is made within the inframammary fold at the lower boundary of the breast.
Breast implants can be placed over the pectoralis major muscle (subglandular) or under the muscle (submuscular).
How Long Is Recovery From Breast Augmentation?
Full recovery from breast augmentation generally takes 4-6 weeks. Most patients can return to work after one week. However, each patient’s experience is different. Some patients recover faster than anticipated, while others may require additional time for recovery.
Factors such as the type, size, and placement of the breast implants can influence the duration of the recovery period. Patients tend to have a shorter recovery after subglandular placement, as the chest muscles are not disturbed during surgery.
The speed with which you recover after breast augmentation will also be influenced by your healing rate and overall health.
What To Expect During Recovery
It’s normal to experience some swelling, soreness, tightness, and pain in the chest in the first five days after breast augmentation surgery. Pain medication is prescribed to reduce discomfort. Sleeping on your back with your head and chest elevated will also help alleviate discomfort and ensure proper blood circulation.
It is a good idea to arrange to have someone stay with you for the first few days after surgery so that you can get adequate rest. Light walking is encouraged during this time.
You should notice a significant improvement in post-op symptoms about one week after breast augmentation. If you have a sedentary job, you can return to work within 1-2 weeks of surgery. However, strenuous activities and heavy lifting should be avoided for 6-8 weeks. Post-op swelling may persist for up to 3 months.
A post-surgical support garment is worn to help reduce swelling and stabilize the implants as they heal. The breasts should start taking shape within 2-3 weeks of surgery and settle into their natural position after a few more weeks.
Scheduling Breast Augmentation
Knowing the expected recovery timeline and what the typical recovery is like after breast augmentation can help you make an informed decision about when to schedule surgery. It can also assist you to better prepare for surgery. For example, you can determine how much time you will have to take off work so that you have enough time to heal.
Choosing A Plastic Surgeon
It is crucial to choose a skilled, board-certified plastic surgeon to perform your breast augmentation surgery. Be careful to select a surgeon with the necessary experience in performing breast augmentation surgery. This will ensure that you have a safe procedure and achieve the best possible outcome.
If you intend to undergo breast augmentation, it will be helpful to have realistic expectations about the recovery phase and understand that healing takes time. It’s also important to closely follow the post-op instructions of your plastic surgeon and do what you can to optimize the process.