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What Do Other Breast Augmentation Surgeons Think of the Concept of a "24 Hour Recovery"?

asked 5 months ago by AvaD in Los Angeles, CA
Latest answer by J. Jason Wendel, MD
Question viewed 334 times
Tags: opinion, quick recovery, recovery

Dr. Tebbets in TX has published on a 24-hour recovery (assuming moderate size implant) with no narcotic pain meds, raising arms above head immediately after surgery, ability to travel and return to work almost immediately... and most importantly a 1.5% rate of capsular contracture. I am confused! I just consulted with another of the top breast surgeons in the US who prepared me for the old standard post-op protocol: no lifting arms, off work 7-10 days, no air travel 2 wks, no exercise 6 wks...

19 answers to What Do Other Breast Augmentation Surgeons Think of the Concept of a "24 Hour Recovery"?

+13

24 hour recovery breast augmentation surgery

Many surgeons are promoting 'rapid recovery' breast augmentation, which is something I have always attempted to provide to patients. Over the years I have incorporated surgical techniques and instrumentation that are extremely helpful in this regard, the ultimate goal being that of creating the least possible tissue trauma that is necessary to get the implants into an aesthetically ideal position. We also incorporate the use of anti-inflammatory medication and early... more

Michael Law, MD
Raleigh-Durham Plastic Surgeon

michaellawmd.com

Quick recovery from breast augmentation

Getting back to daily activities including returning to a desk job in 3-5 days is not unreasonable. Yes, you can lift your hands above your head in the first 24 hours. Yes, you can travel after 24 hours. I think the "24 hour recovery" is a marketing gimmick to get people to come see one plastic surgeon versus another. Most nearly all of my patients recovery in a timely fashion without a lot of unnecessary extra steps or interventions. Breast augmentation is a safe and... more

J. Jason Wendel, MD
Nashville Plastic Surgeon

www.mc.vanderbilt.edu

Quick Recovery Breast Augmentation

If you ask ten surgeons the same answer, you will most likely get ten answers. We use the Tebbetts rapid recovery breast augmentation, also known as the “no-touch technique,” a surgical procedure that uses special instruments and techniques to minimize tissue damage and avoid touching the ribs (hence the term “no-touch”). It causes far less trauma to the surrounding tissue. (Dr. John Tebbetts’ book, The Best... more

Joe Gryskiewicz, MD
Minneapolis Plastic Surgeon

24 hour recovery

Dr. Tebbets is a wonderful surgeon. I perform alot of breast surgery and I am a bit more conservative. Eventhough the surgery is raltievely bloodless and can be done in most cases fairly quickly, I am concerned not with the movement but the overall exertion that can say "knock off " a clot on a cauterized blood vessel after surgery with an increased blood pressure or heart rate. My patients often go back to work within a few days to a week, but I do suggest... more

Steven Wallach, MD
Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

24 hour breast implant recovery

Recovery from breast augmentation is usually only a few days and it is true that you should expect less pain with a smaller implant, especially when placed under the muscle. I prefer patients to take it easy for more than just 24 hours. The main risk with resuming normal activity sooner is post-operative bleeding, known as a hematoma. Most hematomas occur within 24 hours of the operation, but they can occur later and are often associated with over... more

Ronald J. Edelson, MD
San Diego Plastic Surgeon

Early motion and Breast Displacement Exercises speed Breast Augmentation Recovery and lessen Capsular Contracture

Dr Tebbets is an excellent surgeon and world expert on Breast Augmenation-if he is your doctor follow his advice. I start Breast Displacement exercises day 1 or 2 after Breast Augmentation and avoid compressive dressings of any type and discontinue the surgical bra day one or two. I believe limiting Breast Implant motion by compressive dressings and inactivity delays recovery, makes post operative pain worse and raises the risk of capsular contracture. However, very vigorous... more

Brooke R. Seckel, MD
Boston Plastic Surgeon

www.drseckel.com

What Do Other Breast Augmentation Surgeons Think of the Concept of a "24 Hour Recovery"?

You're going to get a lot of opinions on this one!!! I have gravitated to the 48 hr recovery and more valium and motrin and less pain meds and most do really well...But totally narcotic free and 24hrs.....very few..but some..

John J. Corey, MD
Phoenix Plastic Surgeon

24 Hour Recovery

For an experienced breast surgeon I think your surgeon's protocol is quite conservative and it's difficult to advise you without knowing the details of your case. However, if you're confident that your surgeon is experienced and understands your situation clearly, then I commend him/her for giving you a true opinion regarding your recovery rather than an answer designed to simply make surgery sound more enticing to you.

Scott E. Newman, MD
New York Plastic Surgeon

www.psurgery.com

24-hour breast augmentation recovery--Here is the truth.

Ava, the fact that you're asking the question means that you are thinking appropriately about the fact that careful surgery and treating the tissues delicately is one thing, and healing and recovery quite another! I do firmly believe that the basic idea of careful creation of the implant pocket, avoiding blunt dissection (ripping the tissues apart with the surgeon's gloved finger or "hockey stick-like" instruments), careful control of bleeding vessels, staying away from... more

Richard H. Tholen, MD, FACS
Minneapolis Plastic Surgeon

What Do Other Breast Augmentation Surgeons Think of the Concept of a "24 Hour Recovery"?

Great question. I personally follow Dr John T's protocol, to the T, but in a real world I find less than 20% after a TRUE 24 hour recovery. But with that said over 90% are less than 4 days. So you try to figure that out, because in my practice I can not. Thus I say the 96 hour implant recovery.

Darryl J. Blinski, MD
Miami Plastic Surgeon

24 hour breast augmentation recovery

Hello AvaD, Since his landmark papers in 2000, I've slowly adopted most of the protocol that Dr. Tebbits has laid out. I've found that recovery is remarkable in most, with little to no narcotics, commencing shoulder and arm exercises the evening of the surgery, and a reoperation rate of 4%. Keep in mind, this protocol begins in the consultation room, increasing patient understanding and redefining her expectations. A propper implant size and... more

Gerald Minniti, MD, FACS
Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon

24 Hr recovery after a breast augmentation

I think as has been stated before, that all patients are different and the rate of their recovery is different. Getting back to near normal activity is dependent on many factors including the patient's pain tolerance and even the size implant chosen. Although there are reports in the medical literature that claim that patient scan return to normal activity in 24 hours, I feel that is the exception to the rule. A breast augmentation is surgery, large areas of dissection are created and... more

Julio Garcia, MD
Las Vegas Plastic Surgeon

Recovery after Augmentation Surgery

Although the length of time it takes to recover from surgery certainly is affected by the surgical technique, it is also dependent on the patient. I use essentially the same surgical technique on all of my patients and I have had one patient who ran a marathon the day after her surgery (against my advice, I might add, but she did fine) and others who are still painful and requesting time off work at a month. So there are many factors that affect healing time and no one can either predict or... more

Margaret Skiles, MD
Sacramento Plastic Surgeon

www.featherriverplasticsurgery.com

Surgeons love the 24 hour augmentation recovery

We have all heard the 24 hour recovery presentation by Dr. Tebbets who is indeed a very fine surgeon. However one paper or thesis must be reproducible over time to become fact in science and medicine. We do have individuals who have modest discomfort after a breast augmentation, though facts are some do not. Lower capsular contracture rates than the rest of those with 'best practice' initiatives is also a mystery. The old standard may seem dull, but may be closer to reality. Best... more

Peter E. Johnson, MD
Chicago Plastic Surgeon

www.peterejohnsonmd.com

Breast augmentation -getting it right the first time

There are multiple problems with this approach. If you for whatever reason are one of the few patients who do not have a smooth recovery and do not plan accordingly (now you have to go back to work or take care of the baby when you physically cannot) you will have a problem. The exact course after surgery cannot be predicted in anyone and you have to be prepared for a range of possibilities. Complication and contracture rates can be misleading because a lot of the patients may go... more

Aaron Stone, MD
Los Angeles Plastic Surgeon

24 hour augmentation recovery

I have known Dr. Tebbets for many years and much of what he says I have found to be true in my practice. Gentle dissection techniques lead to shortened recovery time. That having been said, a lot of the recovery time will depend upon the size of the implants you choose. The majority of my patients can have the surgery on a Friday and be back at work on Monday or Tuesday. As I have patients coming in from other parts of the country, I have found that air travel restrictions are usually... more

Marcel Daniels, MD
Long Beach Plastic Surgeon

Breast Augmentation 24 Hour Recovery

Dr. Tebbets published a set of principles and techniques designed to significantly decrease the pain and tighness after breast augmentation, which it turn allows patients to avoid the use of anrcotics and thus shorten the recovery period. Recovery after 24 hours is the ideal but will not be true for everyone. Many surgeons, myself included, have adopted these principles with some modification and have enjoyed similar results. My own experience has been that 90% of women do not need anything... more

Joseph Fata, M.D.
Indianapolis Plastic Surgeon

www.breastsurgeryindianapolis.com

Maybe in his practice..

Although Dr Tebbets is a renowned breast surgeon and well respected in our profession, most of us still adhere to the "old" post-op care routine. I find that most of my patients want relatively large implants which increases the recovery time and is not really amenable to complete recovery in 24 hours. Good Luck.

Brian Klink, MD
Sacramento Plastic Surgeon

Recovery after Breast Augmentation?

Thank you for the question. In my opinion, the concept of a “24 hour recovery” is at best misleading and overpromising. I think patients should be prepared for at least a 2 to 4 day period of recovery with helpful/ supportive family or friends around. I ask my patients to plan a week off work and no heavy lifting for 4 to 6 weeks. I hope this helps.