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.

While everyone's recovery is somewhat different, I will let you know what the majority of my patients experience following their procedure.
I have my patients go home and rest on the day of the procedure. As there is local freezing at the surgical site, there usually isn't a significant amount of discomfort, just pressure. Because of the freezing however, the patient could cause herself harm without knowing it if she was too active. I therefore encourage the patient to do minimal activity on the day of her procedure. The following day, the patient can stay in bed, get up and go for a walk, have a shower or even do some light socializing depending on her comfort level. 
By one week, most patients are doing normal activity with some limitations depending on comfort levels. By two weeks all normal day-to-day activities are possible and typically quite comfortable. By three weeks I have my patients begin physical activity, limited only by pain and discomfort. By six weeks there should be no limitations as to what activities can be done safely.
With regards to work, many patients with sedentary, desk type jobs will be back to work by day 4 to 7. More physically active jobs will take up to 2 weeks to return to. If your job requires you to keep your arms elevated for long periods of time (hairdressers, dental hygienists, waitresses, surgeons) or perform heaving living, it might take up to 3 weeks to return safely.
I tell my patients who have young children that they will need help lifting their child into a crib or carseat for roughly 10 days. After that they can begin doing it themselves as long as it is comfortable.
With regards to the breast shape and scars, this follows a relatively standard progression. The breast implants are very tight initially, causing them to be hard and very full in the upper part of the breast. Within a few weeks the implants begin to expand the lower part of the breast, and will begin to soften and look more natural. By six weeks, most patients begin to love their new look even though the breast implants are still slightly high and firm. The final result typically takes 9 to 12 months to fully develop. The scars typically are thin and light at 2 weeks when I have my patient remove their skin tapes. The scares do become redder initially over the first 6 weeks. They should then begin to gradually lighten 6 weeks later. I recommend my patients use silicone gel sheeting to speed up this scar maturation process. The scars should improve significantly over the first year and will continue to improve for many years after that.
Once the breast augmentation is fully healed, I tell my patients that they should treat their new breast exactly as they would their old natural breasts. Any activity is fine. They can wear any bra they want or go braless. They can sleep on their back, side or stomach, whatever they find most comfortable. Finally, breast cancer surveillance (breast self exam and mammograms) should be continues according to the suggestions of your family doctor.
I do hope this help with your understating of what to expect following your breast augmentation surgery.

Hi, this is such an important question and I want to thank you for asking it here. 
In general, most women will feel well enough to get back to most normal daily activities 4 days after surgery and get back to work by post-operative day (POD) 7. 

Here’s what patients usually experience and what you should expect to feel:

POD # 1-3: You will feel sore – sometimes more so if the implant was placed under your muscle. During this period, you should expect swelling, pressure, bruising, possible muscle spasms and sometimes bleeding from the incision onto the dressings. You will need pain medication during this period. You should be in close communication with your doctor if you notice anything unusual. You should have someone stay with you to help you with your daily tasks. If you have young children, you will not be able to care for them during this time. You will be encouraged to get up and walk frequently to prevent blood clots. 

POD # 4-7: You will feel like you have more energy and less pain. You may notice swelling in other parts of your chest or abdomen. You may feel constipation due to the use of pain medication. Use Colace to help with this.  Your surgeon may have you monitor for signs of infection or bleeding. By day 7, most patients feel well enough to go back to work. 

POD # 8-14: Your reliance on pain medication and on the help of others will be significantly less. The swelling will begin to improve, but you may notice some “pins and needles” throughout the areas that were cut or used to access the breast pocket. It is normal to discover small areas of numbness on or near your breast, but this is expected to recover fully by 6 weeks. Your surgeon may clear you for light exercise/gym activity. 

POD # 15-30: You will start to feel like yourself again. With the guidance of your surgeon you will begin a breast massage routine and you will likely get clearance to perform most exercise regimens except upper body strengthening. The soreness, bruising and muscle spasms should have resolved by now. 

POD # 31-90: Your breasts will start to feel more natural as the firmness from the scar tissues begins to resolve. By this time period you should not feel much pain or discomfort at all. You will transition to full gym/sports activities including upper body strengthening. Your surgeon will also encourage a more aggressive breast massage routine. 

POD # 91-180: You will notice that the external scars have faded well and should almost be imperceptible. All swelling has resolved. You should discuss further follow-up and MRI screening to evaluate the silicone implants if you had those placed. 

I hope this answers your question. Wishing you luck in achieving your aesthetic goals.  

Breast augmentation is the most common aesthetic surgical procedure in the United States.  For the majority of patient the surgery and recovery is very straight forward and they are extremely happy with the results.
The surgery is a day procedure, which means that patients go home the same day.  They are then seen the next day or two after their surgery by their physician.  For the first couple of days patients will feel pressure on their chest.  This typically comes from the muscle being stretched by the implant underneath it.  Occasionally patients will feel some burning at the incision, however this is usually minimal.  It also takes patients a day or two to get all of the anesthesia out of their system so that they start feeling more like their normal self.
The tendency is for patients to do to much as they start to feel pretty good after a couple days.  It is important for patients to take it easy for a couple weeks.  They can resume all of their normal daily activities after a week.  And most patients are back to work after several days depending on their specific occupation. 
The breast implants themselves tend to sit a little high the first couple weeks and then settle as the skin and muscle relax and the implants fall into position.  It takes several months for all of the swelling to resolve and the implants to completely settle, however patients already look great after a couple weeks. 
I hope this gives you at least an idea of the general recovery and process of a breast augmentation.  Please consult with your board certified plastic surgeon.

Breast augmentation is a short surgery which is typically performed as an outpatient.  I prefer the patients take a week off from work.  At that point they can return to work or school, but should refrain from all vigorous physical activity.  At 1 month, they can resume cardio typo exercises.  At 2 months they can lift weights.  

Recovery is typically 1 week, sometimes less. You can expect soreness for the first few days that really gets much better by 1 week, none of which should impede on your daily activities. Depending on the demands at work, you can return to work between 3-5 days later. Light exercise can be resumed by 2 weeks and regular exercise by 4 weeks. Scars really are not an issue- they are very well hidden and look great even at 1 week after surgery. By 2 and 3 months, scars are virtually invisible if placed correctly. 
Best of Luck,
Dr. John Layliev

Postop recovery can vary from patient to patient. It also depends on your type of work (desk, active, upper body movement, etc.) My patients are up on day 1 and usually back to their daily routine within 7-10 days. That doesn't mean that they are immobile and bedridden nor does it mean they are the gym working out.
I have my patients wear a soft bra after several days as well as a breast bad (a Velcro wrap put on above the nipple) to keep the implant from 'riding up' too high under the muscle. 
I start patients on oral Vitamin E 1000-2000 IU and Singulair about 10 days postop. Both of these help to keep the capsule "soft" and to prevent capsular contracture. 
Ease into your activities and listen to your body.
Postop, once the sutures are removed (4-5 days) then use Biocorneum o your scars 2x/day. Also, steristrips help to secure the scar and decrease swelling.
Good luck! 

Thank you for your question. Breast augmentation recovery can vary significantly depending on surgeons post operative restrictions and it's always best to discuss this with your surgeon so you can follow their instructions to optimize your results. 
The traditional recovery approach is to minimize arm movements and lifting for 4-6 weeks. However, there are studies suggesting it's beneficial to stretch and use the pec muscle in a controlled fashion. So on post operative day one you begin raising your arms over your head. Most patients can go to work after 2 days. And lifting restrictions are up to 20 lbs. Heavy lifting and strenuous exercise is limited until 4 weeks post op and then you can slowly resume your previous activities. 
You can also shower the day after surgery and should be up and about. Pain medications are typically only necessary for the first 2-3 days. 
Scars fade over the course of a year. Massage can help soften them faster. They are normally well hidden and not bothersome. 
I hope this helps.  

The journey begins with a thorough consultation to understand your goals, take breast measurements, inform you of your implant options and at some point pick a size. Prior to surgery you will have a pre-op visit with us to get your prescriptions, answer any follow up questions, make a follow up appointment and to confirm the size and style of the implant.On the day of surgery, you must not eat or drink prior to surgery. Wear loose fitting and comfortable clothes. The procedure takes about an hour with a 30 to 60 minute recovery. You will be dressed with some comfortable gauze and an Ace wrap. Post-operatively you will have some discomfort from the muscle stretch. You will be given a  pain medication prescription to help with this. Ice packs are also very helpful. You may remove the gauze the next day and take a shower. Please leave the steri strips in place that will be covering your incisions. At one week, we will remove the sutures and begin  massage of the implants. You may begin light exercise in 2 to 3 weeks, and you may do whatever is comfortable in 4 weeks. The implants usually drop in 4 to 6 weeks, but initially they will look high on the chest.The massage will help this and you will look great in no time!

Hello and thank you for your question. 
Following your surgery, you will be able to go home and rest in your own bed. The anesthesia can make you somewhat drowsy at first but it will wear off a few hours after surgery. You should always take your pain medications as prescribed by your plastic surgeon. It is smart to have someone taking care of you who has been with you to your preoperative appointments so that he or she is aware of how to take care of you after surgery.
The first few days after surgery you're going to be sore. It typically feels like a muscle soreness. I prescribe my patients a muscle relaxant such as cyclobenzaprine to help with the spasm of the chest muscle. I also prescribe them antibiotics, a stool softener, and a narcotic pain medication such as Percocet. Always avoid taking anything that will thin your blood like aspirin, Advil, Aleve, naproxen, or Excedrin.
After a week you will be feeling ready to begin most of your daily activities. Always be careful not to begin lifting, bending or participating in any physically strenuous activities. After about two weeks after surgery you will truly start enjoying your results. Avoid the gym at least for six weeks and avoid any heavy lifting greater than 5 pounds during this time.
After six weeks you are pretty much free to do whatever you want. Always within reason and listen to your body. By this point you will start to begin to see more of the swelling decrease. In the long run the implants will begin to position themselves in a more natural location and by three months after surgery should start to see your final result.
Hope I was able to help answer your question. All the best! 
Alex Zuriarrain, MD, Plastic Surgery

In general, I tell patients that they will need to be out of work for one week. They are allowed light aerobic activity at two weeks and everything at four weeks. The scars really begin to fade at about one month postoperatively. The most important thing is not to do lifting or straining for the first two weeks. Also, I do not wrap people up in tight bras but let them wear loose clothing. No drains, of course.