When Does Swelling After Breast Augmentation Begin to Subside?

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 anytime soon. 

Everyone feels swollen in the first few weeks after breast augmentation. Most of it is the added volume of the implant. A little is from the surgery, injections, and tissue trauma. Any temporary numbness makes the swelling seem bigger than it is to the patient. Most implants appear 'high and tight' in the first few weeks and they almost always drop into place nicely!  I advise all patients to stick with cheapie sports bras, or a soft bra without an underwire for 3-6 months. I suggest to not spend a lot of money on fancy bras for 3-6 months because your shape will change for the better and you will have a better idea of your final shape and size .

Thank you for your question.  Breast swelling is normal and to be expected following a breast augmentation procedure.  The severity of swelling does vary among patients and this variability can be attributed to factors such as patient's body, incision type, placement of implants, implant size and/or shape, whether or not a breast lift was performed at the same time, surgeon technique and experience, and post-operative restrictions.  It has been my experience, in practice, that most post-operative swelling typically resolves within the first few weeks following a breast augmentation procedure.  With that said, I do inform my patients that post-operative swelling can persist for several months while the breast implants are settling into place.As you are only five days out from surgery, it is definitely too soon for any accurate cup size measurements to be made.  As the implants continue to settle in the breast pocket and as the post-operative swelling subsides, your "cup size" will continue to evolve.  I would recommend that you wait to have a true bra fitting until you are at least three to four months out from surgery.  At that time your implants should have settled and most, if not all, of your post-operative swelling should have subsided.  Keep in mind that different bra manufacturers run differently, so there is no universal C-cup size.  

Breast augmentation is the most popular aesthetic procedure year after year. Patients can have the procedure and be back to work within a week depending on their specific occupation. However, just because they can return to work, doesn’t mean the implants have settled and the swelling has resolved.

It typically takes three to six months to see your final result, however after two weeks most patients will see the breast implants settling and the swelling starting to resolve. The breasts have a high and square appearance initially after the surgery. There are several factors that contribute to this shape.

The majority of breast implants are placed under the muscle. The pectoralis major muscle swells which holds the implants high, and gives the additional swelling in the upper pole of the breast. As the swelling in the muscle starts to go down the implant will “drop” giving the breast a round, softer appearance. Also as the muscle swelling goes down the fullness in the upper pole will decrease and the breast will have a more natural appearance.

As the breast implant settles down into its proper position and the swelling resolves the breast will have a perky perfect position! The process of the swelling decreasing and the implants “dropping” starts a week after surgery and will continue for several months. The majority of the swelling will be gone after about two months. However, patients can still see some swelling for an additional couple months after exercise or extreme activity.

There are several other factors that can prolong the swelling and settling of the breast implant. Some of these items include the size of the breast implant and if the breast augmentation is done in combination with a breast lift.

Please discuss your specific breast augmentation recovery with your Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon!

Hi, thank you for your question. 
It is normal to have swelling after BA for many weeks. It is difficult to say if the size discrepancy you are describing is due to normal post-op swelling or something more concerning. I recommend that you speak with your plastic surgeon and consider going in for an examination so that you can have a definitive answer and some added peace of mind. 
Typically, after breast augmentation, the breasts are maximally swollen during the first 2 weeks. As the inflammation and edema resolve - which can take up to 6 weeks - the breast will take on its new shape and position on the chest. This is the best time to determine the appropriate bra to wear. I recommend that my patients wear a surgical bra for 4-6 weeks post-op. 
I hope that you have had resolution of your concerns. 

The swelling is common, in fact expected after any surgery. After breast augmentation your breasts will be swollen for 6 to 8 weeks. You will see most of the swelling gone at approximately two weeks. However you should be your normal expected breast size at about eight weeks.

 

 

 

 

 

 

It's a good thing you feel your breasts are too large 5 days after a breast augmentation because they definitely are going to get smaller.  Normally, it takes 3 weeks for the majority of the swelling to go down, and about 3 months for all of the swelling to subside. 

You should pretty much be able to determine the absolute cup size at about 6 weeks, and there would be only minor changes after that. 

Swelling can definitely contribute to the size. Fortunately, it will gradually subside over the next couple of months. While it can take about a year, most of it should resolve within 6 months or so. At that time, you’ll be able to see the optimal, predicted results of your surgery and know which bra size would be most comfortable.

Swelling after breast augmentation is a normal part of the healing process, and it can significantly affect the appearance of your breasts in the initial weeks. After the procedure, you may notice that your breasts are larger than expected, and this is often due to swelling. The swelling is usually at its peak within the first few days after surgery, and it can make your breasts look much fuller than the final result will be. As the healing progresses, the swelling will gradually reduce, typically starting to subside after the first 2-3. By this time, you should notice a noticeable improvement. Most patients experience significant reduction in swelling over the first month, but it's common for residual swelling to linger for up to 3 months, with a gradual softening and settling of the implants. You should wait until the 3 month mark to determine your bra size.
Krishna Vyas, MD, PhD, MHSHarvard, Hopkins, & Mayo Clinic Trained Aesthetic Plastic SurgeonNew York, New York

After breast augmentation, it's normal for swelling to be quite noticeable, especially within the first week. Given that you're only 5 days post-op, what you're experiencing is likely due to this initial swelling. Typically, swelling starts to subside significantly after the first few weeks and will continue to decrease over the next several months. By 3 to 6 months post-surgery, you should have a more accurate idea of your final bra size as the implants settle and the swelling resolves. To assess your final size accurately, it's best to wait until this period has passed and your surgeon confirms that the healing process is complete.

For most patients, significant swelling after breast augmentation decreases by 3 to 6 weeks post-surgery. Given your surgery was 5 days ago, it's likely that your current size is influenced by post-operative swelling and is likely at its peak. The true final size and shape of your breasts will become more apparent around 3 months after your surgery as the swelling fully subsides and the implants settle. For an accurate assessment of your final bra size, it's advisable to wait until this period has passed. Always communicate with your surgeon about any concerns during your recovery process- best of luck!