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 many women 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, what to expect from recovery week by week, and a breast augmentation healing timeline.
What Is Rapid Recovery Breast Augmentation?
When rapid recovery breast augmentation techniques are used during breast augmentation procedure, 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 surgical procedure itself 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. Before your procedure make sure to ask Dr. Schulman about breast augmentation recovery timeline pictures so you can get a good handle on what to expect.
Breast Augmentation Recovery Week by Week
As far as the surgical process itself, 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 Implant Recovery timeline
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 breast 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 physical activity 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. Taking time to go over breast augmentation recovery timeline photos with your surgeon will help you to get a good handle on what to expect.
Weeks 3 and 4 of Breast Augmentation Recovery timeline
Starting the third week of four weeks after your augmentation and 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 recovery timeline
What are the worst days of breast augmentation recovery?
The majority of patients typically experience discomfort within the initial 24 to 48 hours following their augmentation. Nevertheless, it’s essential to recognize that pain perception varies from one patient to another during the breast implant recovery process.
What happens if I overdo it after breast augmentation?
It’s crucial to grasp that pushing yourself too hard could raise the likelihood of potential complications. Excessive activity may lead to severe irritation and inflammation, issues that can arise in patients attempting to resume an active lifestyle too soon after surgery.
What’s the best bra to wear after a breast augmentation?
Referred to as compression bras, these are wire-free bras specifically designed for breast reduction and breast augmentation recovery. They are highly recommended for several reasons, including their ability to secure wound dressings in place and minimize implant movement. Find the ideal breast augmentation recovery bra for your needs today.
Can I go out 2 weeks after breast augmentation?
In general, most women require a recovery period of 1 to 2 weeks before they can comfortably return to their regular activities, with the possibility of resuming work as early as 3 to 5 days post-surgery. Optimal results for your augmentation are achieved when you allow your body ample time to heal.
What happens at a breast augmentation surgery consultation?
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 surgery breast augmentation are. You can take a look at different implant sizes and shapes and discuss placement and the cost of breast augmentation 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 your augmentation 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 tissue itself, although scars are minor with this surgery. Other possible incision locations include the armpit or around the areola.
What should I look for in before and after photos?
Detailed before and after photos are particularly useful because a detailed catalog of breast augmentation recovery week by week images can allow a prospective patient to get a clear view of what the recovery process will look like. This helps a patient to become fully prepared before surgery.
Book your Consultation Breast Augmentation
We want to help you have a smooth and complication-free breast augmentation recovery process so you can start enjoying your new breasts as soon as possible!
To learn more about the recovery process for a breast augmentation procedure or to find out if you’re a good candidate for breast implant 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
