Many women choose to have breast augmentation surgery to enhance the size and shape of their breasts. You may be thinking about this procedure, but are wondering, “How long is breast augmentation recovery?” The average breast augmentation recovery time is between six and eight weeks, but it depends on the person and the extent of the surgery.
What Happens During Breast Augmentation Surgery?
During the surgery, special implants that are filled with silicone or saline are placed either beneath or on top of the chest muscles, depending on the results they are looking for and what works best for their anatomy. Your breast augmentation recovery time can vary depending on your specific circumstances, the kind of implants you choose and their size, where they are being placed, and the technique the surgeon uses to place them.
A typical breast augmentation surgery normally takes between 1.5 hours and two hours and includes these steps:
- Step 1: The patient is given general anesthesia so they will remain comfortable during the entire procedure.
- Step 2: The surgeon makes an incision to place the implant. The size and location of the incision are determined by the type of implant being used and its size and shape. Some common incision locations are under the breast, around the areola, or in the crease of the armpit.
- Step 3: A pocket to place the implant in is created either under the breast tissue or under the chest muscle.
- Step 4: The implant, which can be filled with saline or silicone, is placed into the pocket.
- Step 5: The implant is positioned and centered properly, and saline implants may be filled at this time to their desired size.
- Step 6: The incisions are then closed with either very fine stitches, surgical glue, or adhesive strips, depending on the surgeon and the incision location. This layered closure technique helps lower the chance of visible scarring.
- Step 7: Most patients are placed into a compression bra or a supportive garment while still in the operating room or the recovery area. This helps stabilize the incisions and helps keep the pressure off of them, helps to mitigate swelling, and helps support the implants as they settle.
To see more before and after images of our patients, visit the breast augmentation gallery.
What Is the Average Breast Augmentation Recovery Time?
The average time it takes to recover from breast augmentation is usually between six and eight weeks for most people, but everyone is different so that it can vary.
The following is the average post-breast augmentation recovery timeline. Many things can influence how long your breast augmentation recovery will take, like your age, lifestyle, health condition, and the exact details of your surgery.
Breast Augmentation Timeline
Surgery Day
You may be able to go home on the day of your breast augmentation, or it could require a short hospital stay, depending on how extensive the surgery is. Most patients feel the side effects of the general anesthesia for several hours, which may cause confusion and grogginess, nausea and vomiting, severe fatigue, etc. You will not be able to drive and will need someone to help you get home, and you will also need someone to help care for you for at least a few days.
For most of your breast augmentation recovery, you will need to wear a special compression bra, and you may even wake up from surgery already wearing it. These bras look similar to a sports bra, but they are designed to keep the swelling and bruising down to a minimum and help support the implants and keep the incisions stable while you are healing.
First Days Post-Op
It is most important that you get as much rest as possible for the first few days, and you need to drink enough water so you stay properly hydrated. It is also important that you keep your circulation going by taking short walks around the room several times a day to help lower the risk of developing blood clots.
Your surgeon will provide you with pain medication to help keep you comfortable. Most people do use their pain medication for about a week, and after that, over-the-counter pain relievers should be able to help manage any discomfort you may still be feeling.
It is normal to have places that still feel numb, or you may feel a tight or pulling sensation around your breasts, but these feelings are usually temporary and should gradually resolve.
Week One
The first few weeks are usually the most challenging because the swelling and bruising are usually at their peak. You need to continue to concentrate on getting as much rest as you can and avoiding doing anything that will put any pressure or strain on your incisions. You will not be able to pick up anything heavier than a gallon of milk, which means if you have small children, you will need some help at home.
If you have your recovery area prepared in advance and you understand the limitations you will have during this time, it will be easier for you to get through without issues.
Week Two
If you have sutures that need to be removed by the surgeon, this is normally done sometime in the second week of breast augmentation recovery.
Many women become worried during this stage in their post-breast augmentation recovery because their breasts seem to be sitting up much higher than they are supposed to. This is due to the swelling that takes place as part of the natural healing process and is considered normal and nothing to worry about. As the swelling goes down, your breasts will begin to lower into the proper position during a process that is known as “settling.” The time it takes for your breasts and the new implants to “settle” into their final position can vary depending on the location they were placed, their size, and the type of implants used.
Three to Six Weeks
Much of your bruising should have cleared up, and the swelling should be noticeably going down. The settling process normally starts during this time, but it can take anywhere from three to six months for the full settling process to be complete.
Week Three
You may be ready to add some light activity to your routine if your surgeon gives you the “all-clear.” During the third week, you should be able to do some gentle walking, light housework, like cooking or folding laundry, desk or computer work, and easy stretching that does not involve your chest or extending your arms over your head.
Week Four
Many women are beginning to feel more normal and have started to do many of their normal activities or returned to work, as long as their jobs do not entail lifting heavy objects or doing anything strenuous. You should be able to take longer walks at a slow and relaxed pace, engage in some lower-body workouts that do not require movement at the chest, lightly ride a stationary bike, and resume driving if cleared by your surgeon.
Week Five
By this time, you should be cleared to engage in some light cardio exercises that require minimal arm involvement or gentle yoga stretching that avoids the chest area. You should be seeing an increase in your energy level week after week and gradually begin to return to your normal schedule without feeling as fatigued.
Six Weeks and Beyond
Most patients who have undergone a typical breast augmentation are able to resume their normal schedule after about six weeks.
Your surgeon will be monitoring your recovery and will let you know if all of your restrictions are lifted. Many women can begin weight training again or lifting their children, handling a vacuum without a problem, engaging in strenuous workouts, etc.
One of the things that most women are excited about is that you usually can stop wearing your compression bra, and you can finally put on the lovely new lingerie set you have been dying to try on all this time.
What Can I Do to Prepare for My Breast Augmentation Recovery Time?
The best thing you can do to prepare for your post-breast augmentation recovery time is to do some advanced preparation. You need to understand that you are not going to have breast augmentation surgery on Monday and then run carpool on Friday. You are going to have to delegate some of your responsibilities to other capable people in your support system. Getting all the details of who is going to help you, what they need to do, and leaving them instructions will take a bit of thought and some advanced preparation. Some of the things you should consider include;
Your range of motion will be limited right after your surgery, so you may wish to have someone stay with you for a few days to help you do things you routinely do without thinking about it.
If you have a dog that needs to be walked or small children, you should arrange for someone to come in and help during your recovery. You will not be able to pick up anything heavy, which will include your child, walk a big dog, or drive for some time after your surgery, so you will need to set up transportation assistance for your early follow-up visits.
Also, making and freezing some easy-to-serve meals and portioning out some healthy snacks in advance will help make it easier for you to eat healthy foods that your body requires to properly heal.
When you get home from your surgery, your nice, cozy recovery spot should be all ready for you, so make sure to think about all of the things this spot should contain. Some things you may wish to include are extra pillows and blankets, movies, books, music, magazines, puzzle books, and other options that can help make it easier to stay still, rest, and keep yourself entertained for the first few days. Set up a snack and hydration station close by so they are easy to reach without having to stretch or bend over. It will be convenient when you need to take your medication to have water close by and some snacks so you can have something in your stomach with the medicine. Some women include a tabletop mini fridge in their area to keep things cold, like water, juice, cheese sticks, berries, etc.
Get your medication prescriptions filled and have them waiting at home in an easy-to-access spot in your cozy space.
Write out any important instructions for anyone who may be taking care of your children, pets, or household tasks.
Catch up on laundry and set out children’s clothes, pet food, and anything else your helpers might need. This will make it easier on everyone and ensure you get the rest you need during your breast augmentation recovery.
Where Can I Learn More About Breast Augmentation?
Dr. Min at Newvue Medical offers breast augmentation in Washington. He is known for his expertise and skill, and his patients appreciate that he takes time to listen and understand their goals and deliver on them.
Dr. Min can enhance the shape, size, fullness, and symmetry of your breasts to reflect the vision that you have. It can be subtle or dramatic or somewhere in the middle, but the innovative surgery techniques he uses, coupled with his expertise and precision, deliver beautiful and natural-looking results. Set up your consultation today to learn more about breast augmentation and the options available to you.
FAQs
Does the Size or Location of My Implants Make a Difference in How Long My Breast Augmentation Recovery Takes?
Yes, the size and location of your breast implants can make a difference in how long it takes you to fully recover. It normally takes longer to recover after having larger implants because the surgeon must significantly stretch the tissue they are placed under, which causes more swelling that takes longer to subside.
Patients who have larger implants also have more limitations in their range of motion that last for a longer period of time. They normally need more time to heal, and it takes them longer before they can get back to their normal schedule.
Also, when the implants are placed under the chest muscle, it requires more healing time than when they are placed on top of the muscle.
How Do I Sleep the First Few Days During Breast Augmentation Recovery?
You will be uncomfortable after surgery for a few weeks, and you will need to be careful not to put pressure on your new implants or the incisions for several weeks. The best way to sleep during the first few days after breast augmentation is to sleep on your back with your upper body slightly elevated. Sleeping in this position helps to reduce swelling and keeps pressure off your incisions and implants.
Many surgeons recommend using pillows like a wedge pillow to keep your head, shoulders, and upper chest raised. It is also a good idea to place pillows at your sides to help prevent you from rolling onto your side while you are asleep. You can also use these pillows to help you get in and out of bed more easily.
Can I Sleep on My Side During Breast Augmentation Recovery?
You need to wait somewhere between 2 and 3 weeks before it is safe to sleep on your side after breast augmentation surgery to ensure your incisions are well healed and the implants are well in place. Once your surgeon tells you it is okay for you to sleep on your side, you need to be careful and use soft pillows to ensure no pressure is put on the breast or incisions. It is hard to know what you are doing when you are asleep, so if you are a side sleeper, your body may wish to roll over in the middle of the night. You can place pillows all around you to help keep yourself in the right place.
How Long After Breast Augmentation Recovery Can I Go to The Beach?
You will need to wait about 12 weeks before you can safely swim in the ocean because natural bodies of water can contain bacteria that raise the risk of infection, especially while your incisions are still healing. Also, swimming in the ocean is often more physically demanding than swimming in a pool. The waves, currents, and uneven footing can place extra strain on your chest and may interfere with proper healing. Always check with your cosmetic surgeon before planning a trip to the beach to ensure your recovery timeline will be in sync with your plans.
