How Much Swelling is Present 3 Weeks Post Op After Breast Implants?

Question

How much bruising should be visible about 3 weeks after Breast Implants? Does the bruising typically turn brown and yellow by then and start to fade?

Johnny Franco, MD, FACS · Answer

Breast augmentation is the most common aesthetic surgery in the U.S as the vast majority of patients are extremely happy with their results. 
Deciding on an implant size is the most difficult part of the breast augmentation process.   It is important to spend time with your Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon discussing the perfect breast implant size for your breast augmentation surgery.  
  
Patients typically go through a cycle of emotions in regards to the implant size after their breast augmentation.  Immediately after the surgery your breasts and muscle (as the implant are most commonly placed under the muscle) will be swollen.  The implants will also be higher on your chest.  As time goes on the swelling will decrease, and the implants will drop in to place.  
  
Patients typically feel very large immediately after surgery, then miss the fullness when the swelling resides and then finally love them when everything settles.  
  
It takes a couple months for the patients to achieve their final results.  Over this time the swelling will decrease and the implants will settle.  As the swelling decreases the breasts take a more natural shape.  They also soften as the swelling decreases after their breast augmentation. 
  
The majority of patients are extremely happy with their breast augmentation results; however, it takes time for your breast reach their final size and shape. Consult with your Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon to help guide you through your breast augmentation process.

Jed H. Horowitz, MD, FACS · Answer

Thank you for your question.After your #breast #augmentation surgery, there will be #swelling.  Immediately after surgery, the breasts are
swollen and firmer. The final shape and size is approximated after 2 to 3
months, but up to one year may be required for the end result. Walking around the house and other light activity will help minimize swelling and #bruising and help the #healing process.  Always contact your #boardcertified plastic surgeon if you have concerns about swelling, excessive bruising, or any new and sudden changes in the feeling or look of your breasts/ #implants.

Jeffrey J. Roth, MD, FACS · Answer

It is very common to have swelling at three weeks post op.  Each patient is different, but swelling can persist for weeks to months.  Bruising turns color and then starts to fade usually within a month, but can persist for a few months as well.  You are still early in the post operative course.  Please let your board certified plastic surgeon know what is going on. They usually have a post operative protocol that can help.

Randy Wong, MD · Answer

As a rule of thumb, I advise my patients that 80% of swelling and bruising is cleared in the first two weeks after the procedure. The final 20% of residual swelling takes 2 to 3 months or more to clear depending on your age and general health.

William Rahal, MD · Answer

Bruising is to be expected at least during your first week. Note that the healing process is asymmetric. That means it is possible that one breast may look more swollen, be more bruised, or be slightly higher than the other. This is completely normal and will go away with time. After one month has passed, the majority of patients find that their bruising and swelling is largely gone.The best course of action you can take after surgery is listening to your body, following your surgeon's post-op instructions properly to ensure a proper recovery, and contacting your surgeon if you have any concerns.I hope that answers your question on swelling and bruising after breast surgery. Thank you for reading and best of luck on your journey!

Tom J. Pousti, MD · Answer

Thank you for the question. It is difficult to generalize because every patient's recovery is different after breast  augmentation surgery.  For most patients, the majority of swelling is gone at the one-month post-op mark. The majority of the bruising is gone within the first 2 weeks.  The last stage of bruising will be a yellowish color.

	Again, please remember that every patient's recovery is different.

	I hope this helps.

Mary Lee Peters, MD (retired) · Answer

Bruising and swelling are to be expected after breast implant surgery. Only a lucky few get away with no signs of the procedure. The swelling is mostly gone by one month but occasionally some small amount of swelling may persist for 2-4 months. Bruising is blood in the tissues. A small amount of bruising is normal. A large amount could signal a bleeding problem your surgeon would need to check. As the blood breaks down to be absorbed, it changes from puple to green to yellow.

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