Breast Augmentation before & after photos

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When Does Swelling After Breast Augmentation Begin to Subside?

I had 325cc silicone breast implants 5 days ago. I am 5'1 and 102 pounds. I was hoping to be a C cup, but I am fitting into a D bra. Is this because of the swelling? If so, when will the swelling begin to go down? When will I know exactly what bra size I will wear?

Asked 36 months ago by kcali in california

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Don't judge your breast augmentation size for 3 months

At 5 days out from your breast augmentation, there is plenty of soft tissue swelling as well as fluid around the implant. This is normal. When the implants are placed under the muscle, particularly in thin women an oblong bulge is usually noticeable in the upper quadrant. This is the thicker part of the muscle. With time the muscle will accommodate to the implant and flatten down. This effect often gives the appearance of larger breasts. Your breast shape will also change substantially... more

Jeffrey Zwiren, MD

Atlanta Plastic Surgeon

ASPS

Expected swelling after breast augmentation

Hello, How much swelling depends largely on if the implant is placed on top of the muscle or under the muscle. A smaller amount depends on implant size and tissue characteristics. In general: On top of the muscle (subfascial and subglandular): 1-2 week Under the muscle (subpectoral): most of the swelling will go away by 3-4 weeks but a small amount may persist for a month or so. In general, making a decision on the final result of your breast augmentation should... more

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Remus Repta, MD

Phoenix Plastic Surgeon

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Breasts evolve over the first two months following breast augmentation

Breasts evolve over the first two months following breast augmentation. Initially, you may have some swelling; however, what patients usually notice is that they feel or look tight or a bit high. The tissues will expand and relax between 3 and 8 weeks following your breast augmentation. At that time, you will be better able to determine your size.

Sanjay Grover MD

Orange County Plastic Surgeon

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Initially at 2 weeks, most all by 6-8 weeks

The swelling begins to significantly subside by 2 weeks after surgry as long as you are following proper postop guidelines and not overdoing. In my practice, most all of the final swelling is gone by 6-8 weeks after surgery. Probably the "final" result is obtained by 3 months.

Richard P. Rand, MD, FACS

Seattle Plastic Surgeon

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Breast augmentation swelling begins to resolve within 2 weeks

Swelling begins to resolve within 2 weeks of surgery. By 6 weeks, you should have a pretty good idea of the size of your breasts. All swelling will be gone by 3 months and at that time you will see the final results from your surgery.

David A. Robinson, MD

Munster Plastic Surgeon

ASPS

I usually say a 1/4 cup reduction

It ususally takes 2-3 months for the breast swelling to resolve. It will also undergo a change in shape as the implants become rounder and sag just a bit. I usually tell my patients that they will lose about 1/4 cup size from the early post-operative period.

Robert M. Freund, MD

New York Plastic Surgeon

ASPS

Swelling after Breast Augmentation is probably at it's maximum at this point

Kcali, I thought Californians were chill. You are only five days out from an invasive operation. Surely, you have swelling at this point in time, which, by the way, is probably at its maximum. Expect a significant improvement in the swelling over the next 4-6 weeks. At that time you will have a good idea of your final bra size. Good luck!

Kenneth R. Francis, MD

Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

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It takes about 3 months for final size to be seen after breast augmentation

Kcali, Swelling after breast augmentation takes at least six weeks to resolve, you will be smaller than you are now. More importantly, the breast implant position shifts as the breast tissues relax after breast augmnetation, and the implant will descend to a much more natural look. As the breast implant assumes a more normal position, it also fits more naturally in a smaller bra cup than immediately after surgery. I would reassure you not to worry. It is also very important that you express... more

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Brooke R. Seckel, MD

Boston Plastic Surgeon

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Breast augmentation and post op swelling

Yes, you are still swollen. This swelling may persist for a couple to a few weeks. Your implants probably seem "high" to you as well. This is normal as people usually look great on the table, and when they wake up the implants rise up toward the collar bone. They will usually start to move downward at about three weeks. It may take 6 to 12 months for some implants to settle into final position. Do not run out and buy a bunch of new bras... more

Jeffrey Roth, MD

Las Vegas Plastic Surgeon

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Swelling after Breast Augmentation

Swelling of the breast immediately following breast augmentation is normal and expected after surgery. For most patients in our Richmond, Virginia practice, the swelling peaks the third through fifth days after surgery. During the second and third weeks after surgery most of the swelling subsides and the breasts begin to take their shape. During this period the implants begin to drop, the tissues expand, and the breasts become rounder. Please note that a small... more

Neil J. Zemmel, MD

Richmond Plastic Surgeon

ASPS

Little swelling but implants may look high

There should be very little swelling with breast augmentation surgery. However, many patients feel that they are swollen at first because there implants are positioned high. As they descend within 3 wks to 3 months the breast looks less swollen when in reality the implant has just dropped into position.

Pramit Malhotra, MD

Ann Arbor Plastic Surgeon

Breast augmentation swelling takes time to resolve

Swelling after breast augmentation will gradually resolve over a four to six week period. Even once most of the swelling has resolved, you will still see some changes in breast shape for a period of up to three months. I generally recommend that my patients purchase sports bras early on, as these are less form fitted allow for greater latitude in sizing. I would wait at least a month before going out and investing in a new wardrobe.

Mitchel Krieger, MD

Fairfax Plastic Surgeon

ASPS

Give yourself 4-6 weeks

What you are experiencing is completely normal, and in general, you will need about 4-6 weeks before you see the final result. I recommend my patients wait about 6 weeks before being fitted for and purchasing new bras so that this swelling may subside, but it sounds like you are healing normally.

Shahram Salemy, MD

Seattle Plastic Surgeon

ASPS

Wait 6 weeks for new bra after breast augmentation

Kcali: Patients are often given temporary soft bras to wear while the postop breast changes take place. Patients are advised to wait about 6 weeks before going bra shopping, because fit would change greatly over that period of time. Afterward, the changes are less and gradual. Some of what you are experiencing is swelling. But much of the early postop breast appearance is due to your body adjusting to the surgery and the implant. The breast and pocket around the implant are stretched. They... more

Sutton Graham II, MD

Greenville Plastic Surgeon

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Breast swelling and buying bras after breast augmentation

Special volume cameras taking photographs of breast augmentation patients demonstrate that the swelling may remain 10-15% larger than the final results for nearly 6-9 months. You did not state what your initial breast size was and that is difficult to estimate your final breast size. However, using rough averages, a 325cc implant should take you up about a cup and a half, maybe 2 cup sizes. At this point in time your breast implants are still high riding and your surgeon may prescribe... more

Otto Joseph Placik, MD

Chicago Plastic Surgeon

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Wait 3 months to judge your result

Everyone has swelling after breast augmentation. The amount of swelling varies tremendously from patient to patient. Most patients notice that the swelling is starting to subside in the first week or two. I find that most of the swelling, (let's say 80% or so), tends to resolve by the end of the first month and most patients are starting to see the results of their surgery. The rest of the swelling, (the remaining 20%), tends to take a bit longer to go away... more

James H. Schmidt, MD

Sarasota Plastic Surgeon

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Swelloing after Breast Augmentation

Yes! You are still swollen, so try to not examine your self too closely, just yet. Every individual heals at a different rate, but you will probably have a better idea of your cup size 2 months after surgery. Don't go bra shopping before then!

Paul C. Zwiebel, MD

Denver Plastic Surgeon

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Healing after breast augmentation

Everyone heals differently and the exact amount of time when you will stop swelling is impossible to know. Most women notice a significant decrease in swelling by the fourth week out of surgery. Even as the swelling goes down, the implants will need to settle before they in the correct position. Shopping for a bra in the first year will be a little complicated. Talk to your surgeon about your healing and your recovery so you know what to expect.

Joseph G. Bauer, MD

Alpharetta Plastic Surgeon

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Breast augmentation and swelling

When you have a breast augmentation, it can take up to 6 weeks for the swelling to subside. Some patients have considerable swelling, and some patients have minimal to no swelling, so it is difficult to say how much the post operative swelling is contributing to your breast size. I tell my patients to wait at least a month, and preferably 6 weeks before bra shopping, because your breasts will change. In addition, your cup size will vary depending on the bra mfg, and... more

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Amy T. Bandy, DO

Newport Beach Plastic Surgeon

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Swelling and recovery after breast augmentation

Swelling after breast implant surgery is known as edema. Edema may persist in the acute setting for two to four weeks, and mildly in the chronic setting for up to 6 months.

Raffy Karamanoukian, MD

Los Angeles Plastic Surgeon

Swelling after Breast Augmentation

There is typically very little swelling after breast enhancement surgery with prosthetic implantation, but this may depend on how much breast tissue you possess prior to surgery and how much skin relaxation you have. T The skin and the breast tissue in most patients is tight immediately afterwards and may take 4 weeks to 3 months to accommodate the implant and subsequently resolve. Our patients are started on focused, nurse quided massage starting at week 2 (and continue focused massage... more

John Philip Connors III, MD

Atlanta Plastic Surgeon

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Be patient, you are only 5 days from your surgery

There is always some degree of swelling with any invasive surgical procedure. In general, by day 5 thru 14, 90% or more of the swelling should have subsided. Over the ensuing weeks, the residual swelling will slowly dissipate. Even though the breasts may appear large now, I would encourage you to give it time to allow the muscle and skin to settle, etc. The final appearance of your breasts will not be seen until three to four months depending upon various factors. Continue your follow up... more

Stephen A. Goldstein, MD

Denver Plastic Surgeon

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Swelling after augmentation requires patience

Some swelling in the breast and surrounding tissue is expected after augmentation. The swelling will peak at about three days, and then begin to subside. The swelling may only have a small impact on eventual cup size. Right after augmentation the breast tissue is challenged to adopt a new form and shape which the implant size and shape will help dictate. The process of the breast and implant working in together can take up to three months, especially if you were very small breasted to start... more

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Peter E. Johnson, MD

Des Plaines Plastic Surgeon

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Don't look at your breasts for at least a couple of weeks

Certain things happen dynamically after breast augmentation. Of course, there is swelling and bruising that causes the breasts to be larger. The hemoglobin pigment is hydrophilic so whenever there is bruising, there is some fluid retention. However, the tissue also might be tighter since they are being stretched by the volume of the implant. It takes a while for the tissues to accommodate the implant. This can make the breasts look smaller until the implant effect the size and shape of the... more

Robin T.W. Yuan, MD

Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon

ASPS

5 days is too soon to judge final bra size

Hello I am glad your breast augmentation went well. Cup size is one measure of breast augmentation that is difficult to predict. Swelling takes some time to resolve and I would not render final judgement on your cup size until 2 months have gone by (even if there is not much visible swelling). Please remember that you may fit into a D cup of one brand , whereas you may be a C cup in another. Cup size is very variable. I have had patients who tell me "depending on the bra I am a B , a... more