Tenley Lawton, MD

Thank you for your question. You have just had an extensive operation on your breasts were an implant has been placed under your breast muscles and tissue. Swelling and bruising is a normal and expected part of your recovery. While the bruising will fade in about one week, the swelling will usually persist for about 3 weeks. It does take 3-6 months for your implants to soften and settle. I tell my patients they should be able to walk around their home and perform minor activities within one to two days. I recommend you do not lift weights exceeding 10 pounds for two weeks or 20 pounds or over extend your arms for four weeks. Absolutely no sports or strenuous activity for two weeks. However, walking and light leg exercises are allowed after ten days. It is in your best interest to wear a supports bra during these activities. Surgical exercises such as shoulder rolls and slow arm raises will aid in the healing process and can be implemented right after surgery. Both of these are great options instead of stretching. However it's in your best interest to follow the post operative instructions given by your board certified plastic surgeon.

Thank you for your question. You have just had an extensive operation on your breasts were an implant has been placed under your breast muscles and tissue. The incisions must be given time to heal. The first 48-72 hours following surgery it is normal to experience some tightness and discomfort in the chest area. There will be swelling and discoloration around the breasts, which is normal. Swelling and bruising is a normal and expected part of your recovery. While the bruising will fade in about one week, the swelling will usually persist for about 3 weeks. Your nipples may be very sensitive during this time of healing, and they may even have a burning sensation. If you develop severe pain or severe swelling on one or more breasts after surgery, notify your surgeon right away. It is in your best interest to follow your surgeon's post-op instruction's to ensure the ideal results.

Thank you for your question. Based on the photos submitted you look like an excellent candidate for a mommy makeover. It is difficult to determine without an assessment if you are a candidate for a full tummy tuck vs a mini tummy tuck and if you would benefit from a breast lift. I recommend you schedule a consultation with a board certified plastic surgeon in your area. Best of luck. 

Thank you for your question. You are considering an extensive operation on your breasts were an implant will be placed under your breast muscles and tissue. The incisions must be given time to heal. I like to tell my patients that on the day of surgery, you can expect to feel some tightness and discomfort in the chest area. There will be some swelling and discoloration around the breasts, which is normal. You will be able to walk around your home and perform minor activities within one to two days. I recommend you do not lift weights exceeding 10 pounds for two weeks or 20 pounds or over extend your arms for four weeks. Absolutely no sports or strenuous activity for two weeks. However, walking and light leg exercises are allowed after ten days. It is in your best interest to wear a support bra during these activities. Surgical exercises such as shoulder rolls and slow arm raises will aid in the healing process. However it's in your best interest to follow the post operative instruction given by your board certified plastic surgeon. 

Thank you for your question. The most consistent and reliable method of treating capsular contracture is performing a capsulectomy with implant replacement, a new implant. Let me ask you...Is your implant above or below the muscle? Having the implant placed behind or under the pectoral muscle has a lower capsular contracture rate than above the muscle. Overall the capsular contracture rates for silicone gel breast implants is from 2 to 8%. Both silicone and saline implants have the same shell so the risk should be equivalent. According to published studies the rates for capsular contracture among augmentations and revision-augmentations were significantly lower with the Natrelle 410 implants than with other gel implants. I recommend you contact your surgeon to discuss your concerns. If you are not comfortable with the response given you can always seek a second opinion from another board certified plastic surgeon.