Liposuction and breast implant recovery; is this true?

Question

Hi, I am planning on getting breast augmentation and moderate liposuction done in a month or so. Although doctors indicate that the recover will be a week to 10 days, a friend indicated to me that the recovery period is about a month where I will be in tremendous pain for nearly a month and will need assistance showering and going to the bathroom for at least 2 weeks; Is this true?

Farah Naz Khan, MD · Answer

Never heard of needing assistance with showering and going to the bathroom for at least two weeks after either procedure. You will feel sore (especially if the implants are put under the muscle) and the areas you have liposuctioned will also be bruised and sore. My patients take ibuprofen and wear their compression garment after lipo and should be back at work in a week's time max. Best to ask your operating surgeon, however, because everyone utilizes a different technique and recovery time may be slightly different. Good luck!!

Michael J. Weinberg, MD · Answer

Please be aware that my comments here are general and can’t be taken as specific medical advice. At my practice, I tell patients to plan on taking a week off from work after liposuction targeting the abdomen or thighs. Recovery following breast augmentation varies. It would be unusual to be in tremendous pain for almost a month after these procedures, or to need assistance going to the bathroom or showering for 2 weeks, though every patient is individual with respect to pain tolerance and recovery. Persistent pain for weeks should prompt a visit to your surgeon to insure you are healing as expected, and do not have an infection or other complication. It is important to follow the postoperative instructions provided by your surgeon. Good luck with your procedure.

William Andrade, MD · Answer

Hello, everybody recovers uniquely after surgery.  In my experience most people are off narcotic pain medications and doing most of their activities of daily living within a week, but some people do have more prolonged pain.  It is uncommon in my practice for people to still be receiving assistance a month after surgery.  Please clarify your activity restrictions with your surgeon.

Ira H. Rex III, MD · Answer

You should feel quite confident that you will be uncomfortable, but certainly quite functional after about five days. You could even consider getting back to work were gentle exercising by this time.

Paul W. Papillion, MD · Answer

Hello, a month sounds a bit much for the majority of patients. With an Augmentation and a small amount of liposuction, I would expect you will be sore and slow for a week or so, but tremendous pain for a month would be abnormal. Good Luck.

Aldo Guerra, MD · Answer

Hello Ginger. I have not seen any of my patients need a month to recover from breast implants and liposuction. Recovery for breast implants is related to the breast implant size and fir the liposuction procedure recovery time is closely linked to how many liters of fat are removed. Two weeks is more reasonable expectation but it may depend on want is done. Perhaps your plastic surgeon can enlighten you on what he/she normally sees. Best, Dr. Aldo

Connie Hiers, MD, FACS · Answer

Most patients need assistance the first night to a few days. By the end of the first week, most are not taken pain medication. By 6 weeks, most have resume full activities. If you are having tremendous pain at one month, please let your surgeon check you.

Chad Robbins, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question.  I am not sure why your friend said it would take that long?  It usually takes one week for many of my patients to be back at work.   Some may take up to 10 days even with moderate liposuction. I am not sure how much liposuction and what areas are being liposuctioned but typically you are still looking at a week to ten days.

Tom J. Pousti, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question. Needing assistance for one month after breast surgery and liposuction sounds excessive.As you can imagine, every patient's recovery experience after surgery is different. Therefore, your plastic surgeon will be in the best position to advise you given that he/she knows your situation best.

Best wishes.

Best wishes.

Andrew Kaczynski, MD (retired) · Answer

Postoperative recovery is different for every single patient. However having said that a month of severe postoperative pain is extremely unusual.In my practice my patients are good to work and do most of their activities after a week. Swelling in both the breast and the areas of suction can take several months. The compression garment is worn for a month. However patients are able to do their activities of daily living within 5 to 7 days in almost all cases.  If you are especially concerned you should discuss this with your surgeon rather than relying on the Internet forums or your friends. He or she will best be able to give you advice on how their patients respond

Liposuction and breast implant recovery; is this true?

Answers (11)

More Breast Implants Questions

WE SEND PRETTY
EMAILS

Answers (11)

More Breast Implants Questions

Breast implant profile choices? (Photos)

Are subglandular implants a bad idea? Should I get 325 cc high profile placed subglandularly or submuscularly? (photos)

Any alternatives to Vallium to relax muscles after breast augmentation?

Regretting the size of implants after breast augmentation! Is it normal for people to feel this way after breast surgery?

I was wondering if 420 CC ultra high profile would look like a small D on me?

225cc vs 250cc - which one will give me what I'm looking for? (Photo)

WE SEND PRETTY EMAILS

WE SEND PRETTY
EMAILS