I'm planning to travel to get my Breast Implants. How long does it take to recover? Can I travel back home right after?

Dear MVP8,     I don't think it is unreasonable at all to travel 5 hours in order to undergo breast augmentation.  Apparently, you have found a surgeon whose results you like.  This may have come from a friend's referral or other forms of due diligence. Not all plastic surgeons achieve the same results.  There are many details in the surgical technique that affect the outcome. There may have also been an economic incentive.  Prices can vary greatly between states.     Surgical time is usually short and should not exceed more than one hour. I suggest you stay over at least one night so that the surgeon can examine you the next morning.  The surgeon's office can follow up with you virtually.  On your drive back, I suggest you stop at a rest stop approximately every hour to stretch your legs.  Remaining immobile after surgery for a  prolonged  period should be avoided.Good luck,Ary Krau

The most important thing you can do to help your recovery is to follow your surgeon's pre and post operative care instructions. These instructions have been designed to facilitate the entire surgical experience, from the very beginning, before you even step into the operating room.  The amount of time you need to recover really depends on your body, and it's quite difficult to determine if the amount of time suggested for you is adequate. You can look at how you recovered from other surgeries you've had in the past - did you need a lot of time or were you back to daily activities sooner than later? Generally, if you're healthy and follow your surgeon's care instructions, you should be okay in the time period suggested by your surgeon.  For recovery, you should expect to stay for two or three days in the city where you're having your surgery (or longer if you experience complications). I recommend traveling with one or two people who you can trust and can help you during your stay. That way, you'll be more comfortable dealing with the recovery period. If you're traveling alone, you may be able to hire a nurse in that city to help you out instead. When traveling home, you'll still be in a delicate state. Make sure to make regular stops if you're driving so you can walk around and keep the blood circulating to prevent the formation of deep clots.Here are some tips that I provide my patients:1.Don't lie around all day during your recovery. Walk around a bit to help your circulation. This helps to prevent deep clots in your leg veins and can help with the recovery process.2. Make sure you don't make any sudden jerky movements and move your arms slowly. 3.Wear your compression garment for the entire time your surgeon specifies.Finally, make sure you have a doctor or surgeon who can provide you with assistance once you get back home. Any complications should be reported to them immediately (as well as to your performing surgeon), wherever you are.

I ask out of town patient to stay for 10 days after surgery, I also require them to have a physical exam by me before surgery and never guarantee that I will perform the surgery until I have seen them in person

I recommend to my out-of-town patients stopping every hour to walk around after having a breast implant procedure.

Recovery after a properly performed breast augmentation should not prevent you from traveling.  You should be able to be seen the day after surgery before you leave.  However when it comes to medical tourism, the more important question is: have you visited your surgeon and had a proper in person consultation?  Has he / she had a chance to properly plan your surgery as no to patients are the same?  And have you visited the surgeon and his/her clinic to ensure you are comfortable to go there and put yourself into their hands?

Thanks for your question. I do think is reasonable to travel to a surgeon if you feel like the results are that much better. I would not however recommend returning home the same day. Postoperative bleeding is not common however if it does occur it is usually within the first 24 hours.Best of Luck

HelloThis procedure is a one hour surgery, you may travel back within a week.you ll be able to drive after 20 daysDr AlmanzAr DR

In general, I think that traveling for plastic surgery is unecessary. It is unlikely that you can not find a qualified local plastic surgeon to provide you with excellent results. The frustration that can occur in the unlikely chance that you have a complication is difficult to imagine before you have your surgery. There is quite a bit of benefit in seeing your surgeon at regular intervals after surgery to make sure that everything is healing as expected. With that said, traveling to have a breast augmentation is less likely to be a problem than an abdominoplasty or more extensive procedure. If you are absolutely set in your mind to do so, I would plan to at least stay one week after your procedure. The surgery usually takes about 1 hour to complete. 

It is not unusual for patients to ravel for surgery. You are making a permanent change to your appearance. if you feel strongly that the best doctor for you is not in your neighborhood, there is no reason not to travel for surgery. However, you need to be prepared to stay in town at least a few days, and you need to be prepared to come back in town in the event that you need any kind of revision.Our out of town patients will always stay overnight in our facility. It depends on exactly where you live and the procedure you will be having that will dictate exactly how much time you need to stay in town. 

Most of my patients fly in for surgery. My suggestion is always to stick around for a week but very few patients actually do that. A reasonable way to think about it is, most of the issues with breast augmentation will occur within the first 24 hours so if you come in postoperative day 1 and everything is ok, although it is a risk, it would be rare to have a problem. On the other hand be prepared to change your ticket if something is wrong.