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Dermatology Associates of Rochester
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  • What Is Recovery Like After Breast Augmentation: Timeline & Tips (Infographic)

What Is Recovery Like After Breast Augmentation: Timeline & Tips (Infographic)

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Woman laying on her side with her hand in her hair (model)

There are many reasons you may opt for a breast augmentation procedure. For most women, it’s about adding volume and shape to breasts affected by aging, genetics, or pregnancy. When you don’t like what you see in the mirror or don’t feel comfortable in your skin, it can affect your body confidence and bring on feelings of insecurity. Our team is here to restore your body confidence through breast augmentation.

The recovery process for breast augmentation is as important as the procedure itself. Although there is no one-size-fits-all recovery process, there are some things you should know about what to expect during and after your breast augmentation.

How Does Breast Augmentation Work?

During the procedure, your plastic surgeon will create an incision in one of 2 places: in the crease under your breast or around your nipple. They will then place a saline or silicone gel implant behind your breast tissue or behind the chest muscle. Once the implant is placed, the incision is closed, and your procedure is complete.

Your breast augmentation is customizable, and you will have the opportunity to pick your breast implant shape, size, material, and profile. You can decide to go just 1 or 2 sizes larger for a natural appearance or choose bigger implants for a sexy, voluptuous shape. You’ll make these implant decisions in concert with your plastic surgeon, who will advise you on the best options for your body type and goals.

Breast Augmentation Recovery Timeline While recovery experiences vary, here's a general timeline of what to expect after breast augmentation. First Few Days You should prepare yourself for a few uncomfortable days immediately after your surgery. You will experience swelling, bruising, and discomfort in the chest area with a possible light fever. Don't be alarmed if you do have a low-grade fever, as it's just the way your body responds to the injury of surgery. (Call your surgeon if your temperature exceeds 101° F and you have other symptoms such as pus, unusual redness, or warmth at your incision site.) Your plastic surgeon will recommend pain medications to handle any discomfort. If possible, make sure to fill any prescriptions before the procedure, so you will have them handy when you need them. Also, you will need a trusted friend to drive you home from the surgery and assist you with moving around, cooking, and other household activities. Days 5 to 7 You may still have sharp pain, swelling, and bruising, but you should begin to feel more like yourself. Just take it easy and give your body plenty of time to heal. It's normal to feel discouraged during the first week of recovery, but remember you are getting stronger every day. Although you can shower within a couple of days after the procedure, continue to refrain from using a bathtub, hot tub, or swimming pool. Week 2 After a week of recovery, you should be ready to get back to work. You should still avoid any strenuous activities or heavy lifting, however. According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, patients with labor-intensive jobs should remain out of work for at least 3 weeks. 3 to 6 Weeks You are on the mend! The swelling and bruising in your chest area should have mostly subsided, and your incisions should be healed fully by the end of Week 4. At this point, you can get back to your daily routine, but avoid any activities that will strain your chest. If you feel ready to exercise, stick to a lower body routine or slow walking. Continue to wear a compression garment or sports bra as advised by your plastic surgeon. These supportive garments will keep your implants stable and aid the healing process. 2 to 3 Months You are on your way to enjoying your breast augmentation results. Your plastic surgeon will give you the OK to stop wearing support garments, and your breast implants may start to look and feel natural. At the 2- to 3-month mark, most women can return to their normal routine, including strenuous physical activities. However, be sure to get the all-clear from your surgeon before engaging in activities that put pressure on your chest area, such as pushups. You will also notice your scars beginning to fade during this time, but it will take a few more months to see major improvement. 6 Months You should be on your way to being completely healed and enjoying your new breasts! You can have some fun trying on fitted tops and adjusting to your new profile. Make sure to keep all scheduled appointments and checkups with your plastic surgeon to avoid any unexpected issues.

How To Make the Most of Your Breast Augmentation Results

You’ve devoted a lot of time and effort to your breast augmentation, so it’s natural you’ll want to get the best results possible. Here are a couple of tips for optimizing your results:

Maintain a healthy diet—While there is no evidence that your diet can impact your breast augmentation results, some studies show that vitamin-rich food can keep your skin elastic and supple. Strong, healthy skin will keep your breasts firm, minimize sagging, and enable you to enjoy your breast augmentation results for a long time.

Massage your breasts—Daily breast massages, beginning about a week after surgery, can help with healing after the procedure and minimize the appearance of scars. Massaging your skin helps blood flow to areas that need to heal, enhancing your recovery. Gently massaging your incisions also helps reduce the formation of scars.

Recovering from breast augmentation can be challenging, but being prepared for the recovery process is an important strategy. Don’t hesitate to reach out to your plastic surgeon if you have any concerns or questions about the recovery process. Our team is committed to helping women achieve amazing breast augmentation results. If you are ready for youthful, shapely breasts, request a consultation or call us at (585) 272-0700 to schedule an appointment.

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