What To Expect For Your Recovery After Cosmetic Breast Surgery

Today, there are a variety of cosmetic breast surgery options available to help improve and enhance the appearance of breasts. Breast augmentation using implants is used to improve the size and shape of small or asymmetric breasts. Breast lift surgery is used to lift up sagging breasts.

As with any surgery, breast enhancement surgery recovery takes time. It is good to be informed about what to expect after the surgery and the type of changes that may occur following the surgery so you can be better prepared for the recovery.

What You Can Expect During The First Month After Surgery

After the breast surgery procedure, you will most likely experience discomfort, bruising, and swelling. Your doctor will give you pain relief medication like paracetamol to help you feel more comfortable during the first few days. Be careful not to take aspirin-based medications as they may cause bleeding.

After three days, you should start feeling more comfortable although bruising and swelling will still persist for four to six weeks. Most patients’ swelling settled after a month and the breasts will become less uncomfortable.

During the recovery period, you should limit your movement and get as much rest as you can after the surgery. During the first few weeks, avoid bending over, raising your arms above the head, lifting heavy objects, or performing any strenuous activities that put unnecessary pressure and stress on the wounds as these will slow down your healing, increase the pain, and may even cause excess swelling and bleeding. Follow your surgeon’s instructions as closely as possible.

Your breasts will probably be sensitive to touch for two to three weeks and is likely that you will experience some numbness in the nipples and skin after the surgery. The numbness will gradually disappear over the next 4 – 5 weeks.

Avoid sleeping on your stomach for the first two weeks. Try to keep your wounds dry for 72 hours and most surgeons will advise their patients to take sponge baths until the sutures are removed. Dissolvable sutures (stitches) are frequently used. The stitch knots will require trimming. This is usually done seven to 12 days after surgery. If your doctor uses non-dissolvable sutures then these will be removed from the breasts after a week or two.

Following the surgery, you are required to wear a surgical support bra day and night. You may replace it with a sports bra if you wish after the first few days and this must be worn at all times for a month.

When To Return To Work

If you have a desk job and do not require strenuous activity then you are able to return to work after a week. But if your job is physically demanding, then it is better to wait another week before returning to work.

What To Expect After The First Month

Your breasts will probably be sensitive to touch for two to three weeks and experience some numbness in the nipples and skin after the surgery. The numbness should disappear in about six weeks.

The length of your breast surgery recovery period tends to be faster if you are in great health before your operation. You should stop smoking for two to four weeks prior to your surgery to reduce recovery time as smoking reduces circulation.  For most patients, it may take a month or more before all swelling and bruising disappear and the final breast lift results are apparent.

Breast lift surgery scar will be quite noticeable for the first few months, often appearing pink and firm. The scars will improve and fade into thin white lines over the next several months, but will never go away completely.

When To Return To Exercise Regime

You can resume light activities after 3 – 4 weeks but strenuous exercises like swimming and aerobics are best to defer until four to six weeks after your cosmetic breast surgery.

Post Surgery Care Guide

To promote healing and prevent infection, it is important that you maintain a balanced nutritional diet and ensure adequate hydration. To allow proper healing and to achieve optimal cosmetic results, it is essential that you follow your plastic surgeon’s instructions and care guide during the recovery phase.

Thereafter, to maintain the beautiful appearance of your breasts, long-term proper care of your implants is also important. Any time you need clarification or have a question, do not hesitate to contact your breast implants plastic surgeon or any of his or her clinic staff to assist you.