Second Breast Augmentation Recovery Period

Question

What is the recovery like for a second breast augmentation? I am going from 270cc saline and switching to 390cc saline. How long before I can work out and do push-ups again? How much quicker is recovery the second time around?

Lewis Albert Andres, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question!  This answer will vary amongst each 
surgeon, and it is wisest to discuss this with your plastic surgeon.  I n
 my practice, utilizing the fast track technique after breast 
augmentations, women are readily able and doing most things virtually 
immediately after this procedure.  She is even recommended to go out for
 dinner that evening.  However, follow your surgeon's instructions for 
postoperative care and restrictions, but it is common for most women to 
resume many of the preoperative activities and duties within a week.After an implant exchange, such as that you are describing, is usually even easier than a primary, or initial, augmentation procedure.  Since the pocket is already created and there is typically less pocket work done, the pain is usually less.  I would still follow your surgeon's instructions, but a restriction with use of your chest as well as a postoperative garment is often recommended for several weeks.  Best wishes for an excellent result!

Brian K. Reedy, MD · Answer

Thanks for your question!
You recovery should be easier/quicker this time. No lifting greater than 10lbs for 3 weeks. Check with your surgeon for his/her guidelines. Best wishes!

Jaime S. Schwartz, MD, FACS · Answer

I appreciate your question. 
Typically, my guideline is, the first week is the hardest. By the second week you feel better, at four weeks you feel 100% and at six weeks you can go back to complete normal routines and exercising.  
Four days after surgery, I would be careful as you are still at risk for bleeding. If you are taking any pain medication, I would not drink alcohol.  With my 'Schwartz Rapid Recuperation' recovery, most of my patients out to dinner the following evening.
The best way to assess and give true advice would be an in-person exam.  Please see a board-certified plastic surgeon that specializes in aesthetic plastic surgery. 
  
Best of luck! 
    
Dr. Schwartz 
Board Certified Plastic Surgeon 
#RealSelf100Surgeon 
#RealSelfCORESurgeon

Richard J. Bruneteau, MD · Answer

It’s not unusual for patients to be concerned about the
recovery process when they undergo revisional breast surgery.  This process varies from patient to patient
and depends upon the extent of the surgical dissection.  When relatively simple maneuvers are
performed, recoveries are short but when major revisions are performed, the
recovery may be similar to the original procedure.

When
implant exchange is performed without pocket revision, recoveries are well
tolerated and associated with minimal discomfort.  The pain associated with breast augmentation
is related to elevation of the muscles during submuscular breast pocket
formation.  In addition, spasm of these
muscles can contribute to post-operative discomfort as well.  When the muscles are already elevated,
patients experience minimal pain and discomfort.

Under
these circumstances, we generally recommend that patients take a week off
work.  Patients who have desk jobs may
return sooner.  Light exercise can
usually be undertaken at about two weeks and strenuous physical activity can be
resumed at 6 to 8 weeks.  At that time,
patients may return to full activity without restrictions.  When all of these factors are considered,
most patients feel that the recovery was less difficult than expected.

Aldo Guerra, MD · Answer

Thanks for sharing. During the second breast operation - called a breast implant exchange - the average breast patient typically experiences less pain. Thanks and good luck, Dr. Aldo.

Otto Joseph Placik, MD · Answer

The recovery depends on the procedure. For example recovery will be different if going from over to under. However, in general, recovery is usually a fraction of the first procedure which most patients liken to your breasts becoming engorged with lactation. We generally discourage patients from doing pectoralis strengthening exericses (see video below)

Armando Soto, MD, FACS · Answer

Hi there-
Provided that the procedure will involve only minor modifications of the implant pocket and exchange for larger ones (but the pocket location will stay the same), recovery should be much easier than after your initial operation.
If, however, in addition to placing larger implants, the pocket location will be changed or if you need other significant alterations, you should expect more discomfort and recovery.
The time period of activity restriction (from things like push-ups) will greatly depend on these details as well, so I would talk it over with your surgeon to be sure.

Karan Chopra, MD · Answer

Hi @MalibuGirl - A key component of considering surgery is definitely figuring out the length of the recovery after surgery. Overall after a first-time augmentation it's about a 5-9 day recovery and most patients can go back to work within 3-5 days depending on the type of work they do. For re-operations it really depends on what is involved. If you have Capsular Contracture requiring Capsulectomies (Removal of capsules) then there is a little more soreness.
As long as your work does not involve heavy lifting over 10 pounds you should be fine to go back after a week or so. The results evolve and improve over the early postoperative period taking about 12 weeks to see the implants settle into the pocket and the swelling dissipated.

The Quick Recovery Breast Augmentation protocol can reduce downtime. It's a combination of subtle technique modifications that all add up leading less pain, blood loss and a quicker recovery.
We utilize this method to reduce prolonged downtime which can be a deal breaker for some individuals whose busy lifestyles simply cannot accommodate a lengthy healing process. 
The Quick Recovery Breast Augmentation techniques allow quick recovery because they place breast implants while minimizing tissue damage. This leads to less discomfort during the healing period than traditional breast augmentation surgery. 
Thanks,
Dr. Chopra
Plastic Surgeon
Breast * Body * Face Expert

Tom J. Pousti, MD · Answer

Thank you for the question. Assuming that the same breast implant "pockets” are utilized, revisionary breast surgery tends to be associated with minimal recovery time/discomfort, compared to first-time breast augmentation surgery. This is likely because the muscle/tissue stretch (and necessary dissection) has already occurred for the most part.Best wishes for an outcome that you will be very pleased with.

Steven Wallach, MD · Answer

The pain post-op will probably much less than the first operation and you probably will feel better sooner. However, I still would avoid exertional activity for  few weeks.

Second Breast Augmentation Recovery Period

Answers (13)

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