What is "Rapid Recovery" Breast Augmentation Surgery? Is It Just a Gimmick?

Thank you for your question! The "rapid recovery" breast augmentation is a newer philosophy with many surgeons to expedite activity and expedite recovery following the breast augmentation procedure.  In my practice, utilizing the fast track technique after breast augmentations, women are readily able and doing most things virtually immediately after this procedure. It is the similar techniques as described and is really gaining popularity. She is even recommended to go out for dinner that evening. Pain is minimal and you will likely be on a scheduled antiinflammatory regimen/pain control along with early exercises/range of motion techniques immediately.  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. I typically restrict heavy lifting and vigorous exercise for approximately 4-6 weeks Swelling and settling of the implant typically occurs over a 6-12 week period along with placement in a compression-type bra for the same time period, while your incisions commonly resolve to its final appearance in up to a year. Hope that this helps! Best wishes for a great result!

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 are 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

Thank you for your question.  Recovery after breast augmentation is limited by the body's ability to heal.  As such, recovery can only be so "rapid", and what is being sold is most likely a bit of a gimmick.  That said, recovery time can indeed be minimized.  An experienced, board-certified plastic surgeon who uses meticulous operative technique, and who liberally uses long-acting local anesthetic (such as Exparel) in the OR, will give you a nearly painless post-op experience.  Most of my breast augmentation patients take very few (if any) narcotic pain pills, return to gentle work in a few days after surgery, and can ease back into the gym at around 2 weeks.  Unlimited activity is allowed at 6 weeks.

The term rapid recovery has been used frequently to market breast augmentation.  When done correctly and with proper technique all breast augmentation patients should expect to recover rapidly.  From my perspective, I consider breast augmentation under anesthesia to be a safe but significant procedure.  While my patients could go out to dinner the day of surgery as some surgeons advertise, I advise my patients to rest and recover.  Instead of focusing on a rapid recovery, my practice focuses on achieving the best possible result each and every time.  I would prefer to market my practice with results rather than rapid recovery which is easily achieved.

The overall goal of Rapid Recovery is to minimize the trauma of surgery and the use of strong pain medications and medical devices (like drainage tubes or pain pumps). These allow you to  get on with your life faster. You should also follow your surgeon's post-operative healing regimen. While the term "Rapid Recovery" is just marketing language, the actual techniques applied are have been proven to shorten the recovery and downtime associated with breast augmentation.