Francis Beninger, MD

The recuperation from subglandular and submuscular is really the same.  There may be a little less pain post operatively from subglandular but this is minimal with careful technique.  You should be able to raise your arms for example to wash your hair, within a day or two after surgery.  Most surgeons would recommend that you do NOT lift  weights, engage in any cardio activities (even walking on a treadmill), or doing things which may raise you heart rate or blood pressure for about 3 weeks.  Doing so could cause a hematoma, a seroma, or a dehiscence of the wound which could cause you to lose your implant or require a secondary surgery to correct.  It can also lead to an undesirable outcome even if surgery is not required.  Before you return to any activity, consult with the surgeon who did your surgery.

Every surgeon has different recommendations regarding return to activities.  Generally you can return to daily activities by 5 days.  Many surgeons would recommend that you do NOT return to heavy lifting (over 10-15 pounds) or cardio workouts.  This includes walking on a treadmill.  

An occupation such as a hair stylist involves a lot of arm lifting and movement.  The pectoralis muscles are used predominately and there is a high chance of increased inflammation and discomfort due to the muscle being disturbed during the implant surgery.  This could result in more swelling, formation of a seroma, a hematoma, or pain which will delay your return to work and also affect your result.

Personally I would advise that it would be best to hold off for another 5 days or so.  The question will be best answered by the surgeon who did the surgery and you should direct your question to them before returning to work.

Thank you for your question.  It is always concerning when you are not sure about your healing.  It is difficult to say for sure by just looking at the photo, but things like this are not uncommon.  Quite often an incision may develop a little red spot which opens up and then becomes a white spot.  This is due to some inflammation around suture material (stitches) which are placed beneath the skin surface.  This is called suture spitting.  By itself it is not cause for alarm.  Rarely does this get worse and potentially develop infection.  There are other reasons for such problems as well.  Therefore it is best to contact your surgeon so that they can examine you and advise you in person.

Thank you for asking a very common question.  

First of all I ask my patients to quit smoking at least 3 weeks prior to surgery. This is because quitting smoking is a very stressful period and should not be superimposed on the stress of recent surgery.  It is better to focus on one aspect at a time.  Also, if you quit a few days before, you will likely have increased sputum production and coughing which is dangerous in the immediate healing period.  Coughing causes a rapid spike in venous blood pressure which could cause bleeding and a possible hematoma requiring surgical intervention. 

Smoking can cause spasm of the small duct work of the lungs (bronchioles). This is similar to asthma.  Sedation And  anesthesia can be affected in dangerous ways by this spasm. 

During the healing period, tissues have altered blood supply due to tunneling under the skin which divides some of the vascular supply.  The skin is maintained with a much reduced blood supply traveling through very small vessels intimately associated with the skin. Nicotine is found in cigarette smoke, vapes, nicotine replacement patches lozenges and sprays.  It is a very potent vasoconstrictor which causes blood vessels to Decrease their diameter which greatly reduces blood flow.  The flaps of skin which were elevated during the procedure may have such a significant reduction of blood nourishment that it dies.  This can create significant scarring and disfigurement.