All About Healing: Breast Augmentation Recovery Tips

One of the biggest hurdles standing between you and your new breasts is breast augmentation recovery. With our rapid recovery protocol, you’ll be back to normal in a few days! This guide will help you prepare for the recovery process after your breast augmentation.

What to Expect from Breast Augmentation Recovery

Most patients find that they feel a little better each day during breast augmentation recovery, until they are back to normal and enjoying all their regular activities again. Your recovery symptoms will vary, depending on how far you’ve progressed through the recovery process and how extensive your surgery is. This will give you a better idea of what to expect at each stage.

• Right After Surgery– When you return home after your breast augmentation, you may feel groggy and tired after anesthesia. You’ll need someone to drive you and stay with you for the first 24 hours. Get home and enjoy as much rest as possible. We recommend propping yourself up on two pillows when in bed. This makes it easier to get up and down, when you need to head to the bathroom for example.
• The First Couple Days – We’ll prescribe pain medication for break through pain but many patients don’t need it. The muscle relaxers and anti-inflammatories we prescribe are often enough. We’ll explain your options in detail before surgery. We allow you to shower on post-operative day #1 and, although we don’t’ want you exercising, we want you to get back to most activities of daily living after a few days. Bruising is rare after breast augmentation, but you may have mild swelling. Most patients just experience muscle tightness.
• The First Week– Most of our patients return to work in 3-5 days after breast augmentation. This can vary, depending on the specifics of your surgery and the duties expected at your job. We’ll work with you to create a timeline for returning to work and other activities. After a week, most women feel great. Discomfort should be fading. Swelling is typically one of the last symptoms to resolve.
• The First Few Months– After 3 weeks, most women can resume cardio. Heavy weights and upper body exercise is allowed at 6 weeks. The incisions may still be pink at 6 weeks, but they will fade over the next few months. Your implants will also soften and settle into a more natural position.

Recovery timelines vary because each breast surgery is unique. Adding a breast lift can extend your recovery time slightly. Some implant placement and incision placement options can also impact your recovery timeline. We’ll give you a better idea of what to expect as you prepare for your surgery.

3 Ways to Prepare for Breast Augmentation Recovery

A little preparation can make the recovery experience easier. These tips will help you get ready for your breast augmentation recovery.

• Prepare in Advance– Do what you can before your surgery so you won’t have to worry about it after. Change the sheets, stock the fridge, and fill your prescriptions. Right after surgery, you’ll want to rest, not run errands.
• Give Yourself Time– Don’t rush the recovery process. Plan for adequate time off from work and other activities. If you can return early, great, but if you can’t, you’ll be glad to have the extra time. Clear your schedule and focus on recovery for those first few days. Don’t try to return to work before you’re able.
• Get Help– You’ll need help for a successful recovery experience. Enlist someone you trust to help care for you once you’re home. If you have young children, you may also need help with childcare for the first week.

Keep in Touch- When to Contact Us

We are your partners in your breast augmentation journey, from your first consultation until you’re fully recovered. Make sure you come to your post-surgical checks. This gives us a chance to meet with you, assess healing, and answer questions. You can also call our offices any time you need to. Please contact us if:

• If one breast becomes significantly larger than the other and is more painful.
• You see signs of infection, including areas that are hot to the touch or red.
• Pain is much worse than expected.
• You don’t understand or have forgotten recovery instructions.
• You have questions about resuming a particular activity.
• You have any questions or concerns.

If you’re wondering whether or not you should call, it is usually best to call. We have performed many breast surgeries and can usually answer your question over the phone or with a quick office visit. If you have a question, a worry, or a concern, please get in touch. We are here to answer your questions and address your concerns, big and small.

After recovery comes beautiful new breasts. Call us today to schedule your breast augmentation consultation at Restora Austin Plastic Surgery Centre.