Patients will be happy to hear that breast augmentation surgery has one of the quickest recovery times out of all the surgeries we offer at Schulman Plastic Surgery.
When compared to procedures like tummy tucks, mommy makeovers, and Brazilian butt lifts — some of which require several weeks of downtime — breast augmentations usually only necessitate a few days off from work or school. Patients are able to resume their normal activities so quickly due to the the state-of-the-art rapid recovery techniques we employ.
Let’s take a closer look at what rapid recovery entails and what to expect from breast augmentation recovery week by week.
What Is Rapid Recovery Breast Augmentation?
When rapid recovery techniques are used during breast augmentation surgery, what this really means is that Dr. Schulman is taking extra steps during your surgery to ensure less bruising, less swelling, and less pain — both during the procedure and during your recovery. Likewise, the anesthesiologist will take additional steps while administering your anesthesia, and this will make your recovery easier as well.
Rapid recovery has worked impressively well for Dr. Schulman’s patients over the past decade. Most patients are able to bounce back in just a few days, whereas prior to the use of these techniques, it might have taken several weeks for patients to return to work and other activities.
Breast Augmentation Recovery Week by Week
As far as the surgical process itself, breast augmentation generally takes less than an hour to perform. Your procedure will take place under general anesthesia at Dr. Schulman’s fully certified and accredited office operating room.
Immediately after your surgery, you will be taken to a nearby recovery room where you will stay for about one hour until you feel well enough to go home, accompanied by a trusted friend or relative.
Before going home, you’ll be given a detailed list of recovery instructions. All of these instructions are critical to your surgery’s success. In order to ensure a great outcome and to prevent complications from your surgery, make sure you follow these instructions closely.
Weeks 1 and 2 of Breast Augmentation Recovery
Again, one of the best things about breast augmentation surgery is that most patients can go back to their regular routine within the first few days after the procedure. Likewise, most patients have little to no discomfort or pain after the first few days. And even during this initial period, any pain that is experienced should be very minimal and require little to no pain medication. Some light soreness is normal. But other than this, most patients feel comfortable and generally mobile.
After about three days, most patients are able to return to school or work. One thing you may notice is that the overall size and shape of your breasts may appear a bit unnatural at first. This is simply because the skin needs time to stretch around the new implants. You’ll also have some postoperative swelling, which can distort the actual size of your breasts and make them appear larger than they really are. These types of symptoms may linger for several weeks or months, but over time, your breasts will settle into their correct position.
Remember that over the first few weeks of your recovery, you’ll need to take it easy. Even though you can return to a desk job or similar within a few days, this doesn’t mean you will be able to go back to exercising or working a physically demanding job right away. You need to avoid lifting anything over 10 pounds for at least several weeks and refrain from strenuous physical activities (especially stretching or straining your chest muscles) for several weeks as well.
Weeks 3 and 4 of Breast Augmentation Recovery
Starting the third week of breast augmentation recovery, most patients will be cleared to return to light exercise, including cardio activity and/or strength training with weights. By this time, you should be feeling little to no soreness or discomfort. You may have some light bruising still, but this should be minimal. And any swelling will have gone down considerably by this time as well.
Most patients will need to continue wearing their postoperative soft surgical bra (or similar) in order to promote healing, reduce residual swelling, and keep the breasts in place for an optimal outcome. You’ll notice that as the swelling goes down and the tightness reduces, your breasts will “settle”, which basically means they’ll drop down to where they’re supposed to be. This will give you that nice, natural teardrop shape with more “underboob” than you initially had at the beginning of your recovery
FAQ: Breast Augmentation
What happens at a breast augmentation consultation appointment?
During your consultation appointment with Dr. Schulman, you’ll discuss what you’d like to achieve with breast augmentation surgery. Dr. Schulman will perform a short physical exam to look at your current breasts and let you know what your best options are. You can take a look at different implant sizes and shapes and discuss placement and the cost of surgery as well. If you have any questions, be sure to bring them along.
What kind of anesthesia is used during breast augmentation?
Dr. Schulman performs breast augmentation using general anesthesia.
What kind of scars will I have after breast augmentation?
This depends on the method we use for surgery. For most patients, the safest and best incision location for breast augmentation surgery is right in the breast crease beneath the breast. This is where Dr. Schulman would insert the implant. Therefore, this would be the location of the resulting scar, although scars are minor with this surgery. Other possible incision locations include the armpit or around the areola.
Request a Consultation with Dr. Schulman
We want to help you have a smooth and complication-free breast augmentation recovery so you can start enjoying your new breasts as soon as possible!
To learn more about the recovery process for breast augmentation or to find out if you’re a good candidate for surgery, book your consultation with Dr. Schulman today. We’d love to discuss your aesthetic goals with you and help you get the breasts you’ve always dreamed of.
References
https://www.plasticsurgery.org/news/blog/how-long-is-the-recovery-for-a-breast-augmentation
