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. 

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. 

At 5 days you are very early after surgery.  In fact, I don't prefer that my patients even wear a bra at that point.  The bra size will change over the next 6 months.  I would not worry about your cup size this early after surgery.

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.