Difference Between 24 Hour Vs 3 Week+ Breast Augmentation Recovery?

Why is it that some doctors (and their patients!) advertise a 24 hour recovery and you hear that recovery was nearly painless, that they were raising their arms in the recovery room, showering the same day, no special bra etc. etc. And (most) other doctors say that recovery takes weeks and that you MUST NOT raise your arms for a week, no shower for 3 days, special bra for weeks on end and no strenuous exercise for 3-6 weeks afterwards?

Tags:

activity recovery second opinion

Comment on this

4 Doctor Answers | Asked by lostone

Doctor Answers (4)
Community Comments (0)

Wound Strength

At 1 month, the wound strength after is only 15% of the original. Excessive loading in the early post-operative period can lead to wound dehiscence, infection and complications. Breast augmentation is particularly prone to infection and you certainly do not want your wound to separate. I recommend no strenuous exercise and no arm raising above your head for about 1 month. Post op patients can shower within 24 hours because the wound is sealed but does not have the... more

Breast augment recovery

Some surgeons downplay postop complications, pain and healing time. Personally, I think this creates false expectations. Sure, some patients will describe recovery, especially when implants are over the muscle, as virtually pain free. And patients ask me whether I have more complications because I consent them in more detail. I think it is irresponsible to do anything else.

Recovery after breast augmentation

Different surgeons will have different recovery regimens for their patients to follow. Ultimately, it is the results that count. Personally, I think it is reckless to advertise a 24 hour recovery, because each patient is unique. With that in mind, if the tissues are handled gently at surgery and the implants are not grossly oversized for the patient's body, the patient should be able to resume her normal, everyday activities within a day or so. It is still wise... more

Not all surgeries are done the same way...

There are many different ways of doing the same thing. Just like you can take many different roads to get to the same place surgeons use different techniques to make breasts bigger. Some surgeons use blunt dissection using tools and their fingers to manipulate and create a pocket. Other surgeons use electrocautery (a device that cuts and coagulates tissue) to lift and manipulare muscle to create a pocket. I believe that electrocautery dissection creates minimal tissue... more