What can I expect from breast augmentation?

Breast augmentation is one of the greatest plastic surgery operations out there. It enhances all of the features of your breasts by placing an implant under the pectoral muscle thus avoiding your breast tissues so you can still breast feed if interested.
It is all done through a small 4cm incision and the recovery lasts about a week at which point you can return to most of your activities. The results will last as long as the implant lasts. FDA recommends we exchange implants at around 12 to 15 years. There's no hard and fast rule but this is the recommendation.
Best wishes.

Thank you for your question. Recovery from breast augmentation surgery is
individual. That being said, the
expectation for recovery from a breast augmentation wherein the implant is
placed under the muscle would likely be less than a week. That being said,
there are multiple options for scar treatment.
I wish you the best of luck.

The length of time is takes to perform a breast augmentation varies based on a number of variables.  First, and foremost is the experience of the plastic surgeon.  Second, is whether or not additional procedures are being performed at the same time such as a lift.  Lastly, a patient's anatomy and the approach can play a role in the length of the procedure.  Typically, a breast augmentation performed alone, can take anywhere from 45 minutes to two hours.  Frequently, the fastest surgeon, is not the best choice for obvious reasons.  It's surgery, not a race.

Breast augmentation is a simple and safe operation.  The pain depends on placement of the implant.  If it is placed above the muscle, the pain is minimal.  Placement below the muscle is more painful, most patients stating that the chest feels excessively "tight".  The procedure takes about 30 to 45 minutes. Full athletic activity is allowed in one month.

You should be able to have a rapid recovery after breast augmentation surgery.  Ask your plastic surgeon about the experience that his/her patients have and ask around. I know exactly what my patients go through because I ask them to report  on their experience anonymously every quarter for quality control.  My patients have a very rapid recovery and return to work in 1-4 days typically with many patients never taking any pain medication and most reporting that it is more uncomfortable than it is painful.

Not every patient is the same and I still have a rare patient that reports that it takes 7 days before they start feeling better.

The procedure should only last 30-45 minutes in the operating room and you should be able to return home that same day.

Breast augmentation is by far the most common procedure performed at my practice. On average the procedure takes about an hour and a half. Things like the type if implant used (saline v. silicone) and where the incision will be (under the muscle, above the muscle, through the belly button, through the underarm) affect the time minimally. When it comes to recovery, all women are different. People have different pain thresholds and heeling times. I know women who have a breast augmentation on Friday and go back to work on Monday. There are also women who need a little more time and that is completely normal. There are some limits when it comes to pain medication like driving, so be mindful of your post surgical commitments if you plan to remain prescription narcotics. You will meet with you surgeon several times over the first 6 months after your surgery. Give your body time to heal and your implants to settle before making any judgments about their appearance. It will take about 6 months to 1 year for this to take place.

Women choose to have breast augmentation for  a number of reasons, but the most common reasons are for increased volume (size) and a better overall shape. You can expect to increase your beast size with breast augmentation, and often times even out uneven sized and shaped breasts. But most women will "augment" or increase the size of the breasts and maintain the shape that they already have. 

You ask "how long will it last?" Many women have breast augmentation surgery that can last for 20 or more years, however may women will have issues that need revision surgery after only a few years, so there is no set amount of time.  It will also depend on whether you have children and breast feed after having the surgery, and how your own body ages, as well as how much your weight fluctuates.  I would recommend scheduling a consult with a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon to be evaluated and to go over your options.  Good Luck!

Surgery is about 1-2 hours but the entire process (in the door and out the door) takes about five hours and is performed on an outpatient basis. The surgery can be done in several different places (hospital, office surgical suite, or surgicenter) and the prices vary accordingly with the last being the most affordable.
Follow-up visits may vary according to technique and implants. In our practice patients are typically seen after surgery: 3-5 days, 10 days, 3 weeks, 3 months & annually.
Patients take anywhere from no time off to 1 week off of desk jobs and 3 weeks with more strenuous physical activity jobs. We generally recommend that you take a week off work and avoid strenuous physical activity for three weeks. Certain dressings may be required during this time. You will be instructed in breast implant exercises.
It may take 6-9 months to achieve a truly stable appearance but you will have a very good idea at around 3 weeks in most patients.

Thank you for the question.On average, the surgery takes 1 hour and most of my patients require 2 to 4 days of rest and use of pain medications/muscle relaxants. Most patients are able to return to work (desk job) at one week. I asked my patients to avoid heavy lifting and strenuous activity for 4 to 6 weeks.  Make sure you are working with a well trained/experienced board-certified plastic surgeon and communicate your goals clearly.it is important to communicate your size goals with your surgeon. In my practice, the use of photographs of “goal” pictures (and breasts that are too big or too small) is very helpful. I have found that the use of words such as “natural” or “C or D cup” means different things to different people and therefore prove unhelpful.Also, as you know, cup size varies depending on who makes the bra; therefore, discussing desired cup size may also be inaccurate.I use intraoperative sizers and place the patient in the upright position to evaluate breast size. The patient's goal pictures are hanging on the wall, and allow for direct comparison.I have found that this system is very helpful in improving the chances of achieving the patient's goals as consistently as possible.I hope this helps.

Thank
you for your question. I have included some typical expectations of breast
surgery recovery and signs to watch for following breast augmentation:
Stiffness, swelling
and bruising in the chest region: These are normal experiences as the skin,
muscles and tissue heal. Pain medication and muscle relaxants will help you
cope with any discomfort. Consistent sharp pain should be reported to your
board-certified surgeon.Hypersensitivity of
nipples or lack of sensitivity: This is normal and will gradually resolve over
time.A mild to severe itchy
feeling of the breasts is possible as healing progresses. An antihistamine like
Benadryl can help to alleviate severe, constant itchiness. If the skin becomes
red and hot to the touch, contact your board-certified surgeon
immediately.Asymmetry, the breasts
look different, or heal differently: Breasts may look or feel quite different
from one another in the days following surgery. This is normal. No two breasts
in nature or following surgery are perfectly symmetrical.Discuss returning to
work with your board-certified surgeon, in our office it is typically 3-5
days post-surgery but you may not overexert yourself or do any heavy lifting.You may resume
exercise and your normal routine at six weeks unless your surgeon advises
otherwise.I suggest consulting with a board-certified plastic surgeon. They will be able to review your expectations and determine if you are a candidate for surgery. Good luck!