Breast augmentation — or augmentation mammoplasty — is a surgical procedure performed by a plastic surgeon to increase breast size by inserting a silicone implant into the breast. This procedure can also help patients achieve a more desirable shape. Breast augmentation restores fullness and buoyancy, helping women to gain confidence in their appearance. Women may consider breast augmentation for many reasons. Factors that can influence the decision to have this procedure include weight loss or gain, symmetry correction, pregnancy, breastfeeding, certain illnesses, irregularities in shape, and cosmetic reasons.
Breast augmentation is one of the most common cosmetic surgeries worldwide, with over 300,000 procedures performed annually in the United States. The procedure involves inserting a silicone implant into the breast. While breast enhancement is very common, it is still a significant surgical procedure. It is important to discuss your goals and concerns with your plastic surgeon during your consultation. Open communication with your surgeon is of the utmost importance every step of the way because it enables your doctor to determine the best option for you and develop the most effective treatment plan to achieve your desired outcomes.
Breast augmentation recovery week after week is an important aspect of the process to understand. Rigorously following breast augmentation aftercare instructions is vital to promote a complete and speedy breast augmentation surgery recovery. Knowing what to expect after the procedure and throughout the healing process can help patients feel confident in their decision to pursue breast enhancement.
Before deciding on plastic surgery procedures, it’s important to understand exactly what the procedure entails, including post-op care. Read on to learn more about breast augmentation recovery week after week.
Breast Augmentation Factors to Consider
Breast enhancement surgery is not a one-size-fits-all procedure. There are decisions to make at every stage. During your consultation, you and your plastic surgeon will discuss factors like desired breast size and shape, type of implant, incision location and size, and implant placement. There are even different types of procedures to choose from, such as breast augmentations and breast lifts. Before scheduling a consultation, research all the available options to get a better understanding of what you prefer and what questions you’d like to discuss with your cosmetic surgeon. Breast augmentation recovery week after week will vary depending on the decisions you and your plastic surgeon make together. Discussing your medical history and breast enhancement goals will help determine the best course of action. No matter what your surgical plan is, it is vitally important to properly follow the specific breast augmentation after care instructions provided by your plastic surgeon to fully heal post-op.
Breast Augmentation Surgery Recovery
As with any procedure, taking care of yourself pre- and post-op is important for a smooth recovery and successful outcomes. Every individual is unique, and every body will respond differently, meaning the recovery time can and will vary from person to person. However, on average, breast augmentation surgery recovery generally lasts between four and six weeks. During the first 24 hours post-op, many patients report feeling sore and experiencing swelling, fatigue, hyper-sensitivity or loss of sensitivity, and tightness in the chest area. All post-operative symptoms should fade as you heal. Follow up with your cosmetic surgeon if symptoms persist.
Breast enhancements are typically performed as an outpatient procedure. Once the surgery is complete, patients are wrapped in surgical gauze and a compression bandage to help reduce swelling and maintain breast positioning. It may be helpful to wear a sports bra or other form of compression support until the breasts are fully healed. Immediately following the procedure patients should rest until the anesthesia wears off. Patients will need a reliable caretaker to drive them home and care for them overnight. Upon patient discharge, your plastic surgeon will provide specific breast augmentation after care instructions, detailing what to expect during breast augmentation recovery week after week.
It’s important to note that breast augmentation surgery recovery instructions will vary from patient to patient. Your plastic surgeon may ask you to apply a topical ointment to the incision site, while other patients may be instructed to keep the incision covered with a bandage. Follow all post-operative directions carefully, as they are designed specifically to promote your personal recovery.
Breast Augmentation One Week Post-Op
At this stage of breast augmentation surgery recovery, your breast implants will have begun to settle into place. Implants may initially appear to be placed very high on the chest; this is normal and is generally not a cause for concern. It may take several weeks for implants to settle into their final, desired position. The first week is typically the most uncomfortable, but the discomfort should not last for long. After a full week, most pain should have subsided, but you may still feel a little mild discomfort at times. Pain should be minimal and should be easily managed with over-the-counter medicine. Patients may begin to resume “light” normal activity at this time, as directed by their plastic surgeon. Patients should still refrain from strenuous activities like weight lifting and specific body movements, such as raising your arms above your head, as these can irritate the incision site and cause bleeding. You can help your breast augmentation recovery week after week by gently massaging the breasts, as this can help the chest muscles to relax and reduce swelling.
Breast Augmentation Three Weeks Post-Op
During breast augmentation surgery recovery, plastic surgeons typically advise their patients to take it easy. Rest is a key component of breast augmentation after care. Everyone heals differently, so it’s important to listen to your body in the weeks following surgery. At the three-week mark, you may find that your implants are still a little tender. Some patients will still experience mild soreness and swelling, but the discomfort should have significantly abated. At this juncture, under the direction of your cosmetic surgeon, patients are free to return to most of their regular physical activities. Keep in mind that you should ease back into normal daily activities. High-impact activities, like pilates or golf, and upper body exercises, like push-ups and chest exercise regimens, are not advised. Any jarring activity is discouraged, as it can cause irritation. Patients should continue to wear comfortable bras that offer extra support, such as sports or surgical bras with a front closure clasp. Patients should see steady improvements in their comfort level and mobility during breast augmentation recovery, week after week.
Breast Augmentation Five to Eight Weeks Post-Op
At this stage in breast augmentation surgery recovery, at the roughly one to two full months mark, most patients are fully recovered or well on their way to a full recovery. The speed with which a patient recovers depends upon their level of physical health before the procedure and how closely the breast augmentation after care instructions were followed, among other factors.
Usually between weeks five through eight, the breasts begin to look and feel more natural. The incisions are healed, swelling has gone down, and implants are close to being settled into the ideal position. As the implants settle, they also begin to feel softer to the touch. While breast augmentation procedures yield larger breasts immediately, the final results take between three to six months to complete.
Around the two-month milestone, breast augmentation recovery week after week is generally considered complete. Patients will generally have follow-up appointments with their plastic surgeon to do a complete evaluation of the breast implants, ensuring they healed fully, safely, and without complication.
Breast Augmentation Maintenance
Once you have fully healed and you’ve been through the week after week breast augmentation recovery process, you’ll want to take the right steps to maintain your new implants. Breast implants do not expire, but they are also not intended for lifetime use. The average lifespan of a silicone implant is between ten and twenty years. It’s important to maintain an ongoing relationship with your plastic surgeon to ensure no complications arise down the line, even after your breast augmentation surgery recovery period is over. Over time, all breasts — even ones with implants — will change. Age, weight fluctuation, and hormones all play a role in breast appearance. Patients with noticeable changes may opt to replace their implants or have a breast lift procedure done, to restore a more youthful breast.
Breast Augmentation After Care Tips for a Speedy Recovery
There are a few additional helpful tips we can offer to aid in breast augmentation recovery week after week. The recommendations below are not meant to replace aftercare directions. Follow these instructions in tandem with the post-op plan prescribed by your plastic surgeon.
- Do not wear bras with underwire
- Wear a sports or surgical bra, or some form of compression bra in the weeks following
- Use an ice pack to reduce swelling
- Sleep in an upright position for the first full week
- Gravity will help pull excess fluid from your breasts, reducing swelling
- Don’t sleep on your stomach or side for at least two weeks
- Aids in reducing pain reduction and puts less stress on the incision sites, promoting healing
- Stay hydrated
- Drinking water is important for healthy skin, especially right after surgery
- Hydration helps with healing and skin elasticity
- Do not lift anything over your head
- This motion will cause strain to the area, stretching the incisions, which can slow the healing process
