Breast Augmentation Recovery: What Can I Expect?

* Video for post-op breast implant displacement exercises (also called breast massage)
These are general observations and by no means exhaustive nor completely exclusive.
Days 1-4: Inflammatory period: Swelling, pain, discomfort. Early risk for bleeding in first 24 hours.This is the period that requires the vast majority of medication. Move arms (if allowed by surgeon to minimize spasm pain). Bruising may appear. Fluid retention is common as is weight gain.
Days 4-10: Generally OK to shower and get wounds briefly wet if permitted by surgeon. Belly may be swollen as the swellng moves down your body. Possible constipation due to pain meds. Pain tends to diminish during the day with less need for meds. However, pain tends to occur at night from 3-6am and is worse with submusclular placement. Bruising stable. Begin implant displacement exercises if permited by surgeon* (see video link below). Between 7-10 days be aware of signs of bleeding or infection
Days 10-21: lowered risk of infection and bleeding. Increased physcial activity such as low impact exercises avoiding upper extremity resistance excersises. Vast majority of initial capsule formation occurs during this period. Vast majority of swelling begins to subside. Occasional pain at night.
Nerves begin to wake up (resolving dysesthesias) and may cause "pins and needles" sensation to nipple area. Normal to have some areas of skin numbness. More aggressive implant displacement exercises are begun.
Days 21-42: Generally a plateau period in terms of wound healing. Not alot of changes as the remaining 20% of the capsule tends to be formed during this period. Rare to require any pain meds. Generally ok to switch to ibuprofen or tylenol but consult with your physician first.
May begin transition from low implact activities to higher impact aerobic activites and begin a slow but gradually progressive course of upper extremity resistance exercises. Many surgeons disagree at which point you may be unrestricted *(anywhere from 6 wks to 3 months).
Days 42-9 months: Progressive relaxation of scar tissues and softening of the initially firm result with descent of the implant and resolution of the remaining 5-10% of swelling. It is at this points that the breasts generally become softer and develop a jiggle.
During this time most patients take "ownership" of the implants and they become part of their body image but this varies tremendously among patients. This is also a common time period where patients may feel that they didn't go big enough.
Although the breasts become stable in their appearance, it is important to realize that they are never stable and always changing with the greatest amount of change occuring with pregnancy, weight gain, and menopause.
PS: Everyone heals differently and not all surgeons would agree with this summary.
I hope this helps.

In my experience, recovery from breast augmentation is easy for most patients.  In fact, most of my patients tell me they were very surprised at how easy it was.  Most anticipate something much worse.  To be more specific, most of my patients return to work in a couple days (with restrictions for more active jobs) and most resume normal daily activities almost immediately.  The majority will be able to stop taking pain pills the day after surgery and some do well with just tylenol and ibuprofen.  Scars typically begin to fade at about the three month period and will commonly improve and fade throughout the first year.  Of course there is some variability with all of these.  

Answer from Dr. Sean Hill, Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon at Lone Star Plastic Surgery – Frisco, TX:
Recovery after breast augmentation can vary, but with the right surgical technique and post-op care, it can be much smoother and faster than most people expect.
At Lone Star Plastic Surgery, I use a specialized approach called the Rapid Recovery Breast Augmentation protocol, designed to help patients get back to their normal routine as quickly and comfortably as possible — often within just 24 hours.

Breast augmentation recovery can vary, but there are some common stages and expectations. Immediately after surgery, you may experience soreness, swelling, and bruising.
In the first few days, pain medication and rest are essential. Most patients are able to return to non-strenuous work after 5 to 7 days, though physical activity should be limited for 4 to 6 weeks to allow proper healing. The first few days are often the most uncomfortable, especially if the implants are placed under the muscle. Following these initial days, pain usually diminishes, though there may still be occasional discomfort.
During the first few weeks, you will be instructed to wear a recovery bra or sports bra to support the implants. Light activities, like walking and desk jobs, can usually be resumed within the first week, but heavy lifting and strenuous exercise should be avoided for at least 4 to 6 weeks. By 6 weeks, many patients can slowly reintroduce more vigorous activities, but you should always follow your surgeon's advice. Over the next few months, the implants will settle into their final position, and the breasts may feel softer as the tissue and muscles adjust.
Scarring is a common concern for many patients, and while the scars will initially appear red or dark, they will gradually fade and improve over the next 6 to 12 months. Silicone gel sheets or creams may be recommended to help improve the appearance of scars. Every recovery is unique, and some patients may experience a longer or shorter healing period. Your breasts will continue to change, soften and settle into a more natural position over several months. Always consult with your surgeon if you notice any unusual symptoms, such as infection signs or significant changes in pain or swelling.
Krishna Vyas, MD, PhD, MHSHarvard, Hopkins, & Mayo Clinic Trained Aesthetic Plastic SurgeonNew York, New York

Breast augmentation recovery varies, but here are the essentials:
Initial Recovery: Expect soreness and swelling for a few days post-surgery. Most patients feel comfortable returning to non-strenuous work within 5 to 7 days.
Physical Activity: You should avoid heavy lifting and vigorous exercise for at least 4 to 6 weeks to allow proper healing.
Scar Maturation: Scars typically start to fade around 3 months post-operation and continue to improve over the next year or two. Their appearance depends on factors like genetics, surgical technique, and post-operative care.
Every patient's recovery process is unique, so follow your surgeon's personalized advice for the best outcome.

A breast augmentation can be done above or below the muscle. I most often use a dual plane technique, which does require lifting of the muscle. Patients may have pain after surgery, however I prescribe a short course of pain medication and muscle relaxer to manage the pain and utilize ERAS protocol when possible. Typically, patients will have limited activity for a couple of weeks after surgery. Most individuals will feel well enough to return to in-person work after one week, however work-from-home activities can often be done right away. After a couple of weeks, the patient can increase their activity level slowly.

Breast augmentation is a transformative procedure that can enhance your self-confidence and body image. However, the journey doesn't end when you leave the operating room. The post-operative care you receive and the steps you take towards recovery play a crucial role in achieving the best results. This article will guide you through the essential steps to ensure a smooth recovery after your breast augmentation procedure.
The first few days after your surgery are crucial. You may experience some swelling and soreness, which is completely normal. Using ice packs can help reduce this swelling and discomfort. However, it's important not to apply ice directly to the skin, as you may still have numbness in certain areas.
Taking your prescribed medications is a crucial part of your post-operative care. These medications, which may include pain relievers and antibiotics, are designed to manage discomfort and prevent infection. Always take them as instructed by your surgeon.
Caring for your incisions is another important aspect of your recovery. You'll need to keep the incision area clean and dry. Your surgeon will provide specific instructions on how to care for your incisions, including when you can start showering and what type of bra to wear.
During your recovery, it's essential to be alert for any signs of infection. These can include fever, flu-like symptoms, redness, inflammation, or pus draining from the wound. If you notice any of these symptoms, contact your surgeon immediately.
In the weeks following your surgery, you'll need to avoid certain activities. These include heavy lifting, vigorous activity, and anything that could strain your chest muscles. It's also recommended to avoid tub bathing until your surgeon gives you the all-clear.
Remember, recovery takes time. It's important to be patient and allow your body to heal at its own pace. Over the coming weeks and months, you'll start to see the final results of your breast augmentation. It's a rewarding journey, and taking care of yourself post-operation is a key part of it.
Post-operative care is a critical part of the journey towards your new aesthetic ideal. By following these steps and working closely with your surgeon, you can ensure a smooth recovery and enjoy the best possible results from your breast augmentation. Remember, every patient's recovery process is unique, so always follow the specific advice given by your surgeon.

Thank you for your question. There are two ways of performing breast augmentation surgery. Depending on the patient's breast shape, size, and chest structure we may decide to place the implants over or under the muscle. Placing it over the muscle, recovery is easier and less painful. For under-the-muscle implants, your recovery time will be longer and you might feel pain and discomfort for several days.
Since everybody is different, there's no exact timeline for complete recovery. However, most patients feel perfectly pain-free and go back to their daily activities after one week. On average, complete healing takes about 6 weeks.
The First 3 to 5 days of the surgery are usually the most uncomfortable part for the patients. We prescribe antibiotics to prevent infection and painkillers to ease their discomfort.
You will be given a medical bra after your surgery which you will be wearing 24/7 for one month. You can only take it off for 30 minutes a day. I tell my patients not to lift heavy objects like grocery bags, carry their children, and reach high for a month. it's very important to give your body enough time to adjust to your implants. You can go back to your desk job, driving, and light exercise like walking one week after your surgery. Good luck.

In the first post op phase, swelling or mild pain in the breasts is normal. Although everyone heals differently, using new techniques and optimizing the placement of the implants, most of my patients resume ordinary life in about 3-6 days.In the first days following surgery, absolute rest and limitation of movements are recommended. Then after 7-10 days, patients are able to return to work (also drive) and after about 30 days can also resume sports and exercise.

First of all, understand everyone heals differently, has different pain threshold, and also underwent a slightly different surgery. Thus take the following as a general guideline but realize your personal experience may be a little different, or in some cases completely different.It all starts with with you 'going under'. Predominant majority of breast augmentations are done under general anesthesia. Some people are anxious about 'going under', however pretty much all of our patients recall their anesthesia experience as 'the best sleep they had'. You will be completely out and to you it will feel like a split second, and the next thing you know you are waking up in the recovery room.In the recovery room you will be kept until you are fully awake and the recovery room nurse decides that you are safe to be discharged. Every facility should have a safety checklist that you must meet before being released. While in recovery you may feel some pain or pressure. Most surgeons use freezing during surgery so in such cases you may actually feel nothing. Women that chose very large implants feel the pressure as the large volume is stretching their tissues. Once released from the recovery, you will be able to go home. If you had freezing injected to help with the pain, be ready that once the freezing wears off, you may seem to develop more pain. Your surgeon will likely inform you of what to expect and suggest you take your pain killer medications before the freezing wears off. The pills are strong enough to control your pain. You will always feel it but pain kills will dull the pain and make it bearable. You may also have a little bit of oozing from your incisions. Patients sometimes think they are 'bleeding' when they see a spot of blood on their gauze but that's ok and no need to panic. You should avoid any physical activity that will raise your blood pressure and heart rate, and not stretch your arms to avoid causing potential bleeding. If a bleed occurs, you will notice that one or both of your breasts are enlarged and feel much much tighter than right after surgery. If that is the case, notify your surgeon immediately. If you have any compression garments, apply them to apply pressure on your breasts. Bleeding will eventually stop. If the bleeding was significant, your surgeon will likely want to take you back to the OR to drain the blood. If it is very minimal, the surgeon may just let your body absorb the blood. When very small bleeding occurs, it can just manifest itself as a bruise that appears a few days after surgery (as the blood slowly makes its way to the surface).During the first week after surgery, you should take it easy but do not stay in bed. Staying in bed is not good for you because it actually increases risk of blood clots in your legs. So we do want you up and walking to get the blood flow pumping.You should avoid using your arms to pull yourself up, push yourself up, reach up above your shoulders for 2 weeks.After 2 weeks you can become more active.Most people get back to office jobs after 1 weekSome people that are motivated get back to work the next day but we would caution you to be very careful in the early stages of healing. Sitting and walking and office job are ok, do not strain yourself.After 6 weeks you should be healed well enough to get back to physical activities/gym.Expect that your breasts will continue to change and settle for at least 3 months. So remember the look you have right after surgery is not your final outcome. After surgery your implants will sit high and breasts are very swollen. Over the three months after the implants fall and settle, and the swelling goes away. It may look like you lost volume but in fact it's just the swelling that resolved.

The recovery from breast augmentation surgery can take from take few weeks. In the initial first week, the wounds have to be kept dry and clean. the wound check in done at day 7 and after cleaning smaller dressings are applied. Patients are encouraged to shower after day 7 and keep changing the dressings. the wounds take 2-3 weeks to heal and then patients are encouraged to apply moisturising creams and massage on scars. Use of silicone gel has been shown to improve scar quality. Patients generally resume light duties in 2 weeks and they can do all normal activities in 6 weeks, Exercise with weight are not recommended for 3 months.