Breast augmentation surgery is an invasive cosmetic treatment that aims to improve a woman’s breast size and shape. If you are planning to undergo this procedure, it is important you learn as much as possible. During your consultation visit with a plastic surgeon, make sure to ask questions about the recovery process, the cost of the procedure, and the kind of outcome you can expect. This article highlights a typical breast enlargement recovery timeline.
Day of Surgery
The outcome of a breast augmentation surgery is a great determiner of how the recovery process goes. This procedure is expected to last for about three hours. During surgery, the surgeon uses anesthesia to numb the chest area and reduce pain. After surgery, the patient is moved to a separate room where she is strictly monitored by the nurses and other medical personnel on how they respond to the treatment. Usually, when a patient wakes up from the anesthesia injection, she may feel a sharp pain in the breasts area, tightness, and pressure within the chest region. All these subside as recovery progresses, and with the help of the medicines that the surgeon will prescribe. Afterward, the patient is discharged for home care where she is driven home by a close friend or relative.
A Day Post-Surgery
During this time, the patient still feels pain in the chest region. This is managed by pain killer drugs. The wounds would still be red and swollen, bruised, and may bleed upon any slight movement. The nerves and nipples would be very sensitive which will be uncomfortable at some point. All these will require a patient to adjust to new changes such as switching the sleeping position to sleeping on the back. This can be more suitable with the help of pillows. At the end of the day, the breasts will have ample space and time to heal smoothly.
2 Days Post-Surgery
At this point, the patient will still experience pain and discomfort as the breasts adjust to the new implants. The nipples would seem to be very low, the breasts firm and tight, and the implants will be compressed and higher in the breasts. The surgeon recommends putting on surgical bras to help the stabilizing strap placed around the breasts hold them in position as they apply the required amount of pressure. In addition, he recommends using over-the-counter medicines such as ibupfofen, and acetaminophen to help reduce pain.
3 Days Post-Surgery
3 days down the line will mean that the discomfort will have lessened. The breasts will be familiar with the implants. The patient can now begin to shower cautiously taking into notice the incisions, implants, and breasts. The bandages should not be wet to avoid causing complications to the incisions. Likewise, the patient is expected to avoid doing any strenuous activity that might strain the chest region. Also, plenty of sleep and rest are necessary for smooth recovery.
A Week Post-Surgery
One week later, the patient should be able to conduct light activities without difficulty. The pain will have lessened, soreness, swelling and bruising almost non-existent. The breasts will be more bottom rounded without the side rounding and they will appear firm and tight, implants will seem high, compressed, and with more projection, and the nipples will still seem low. The patient is still expected to avoid any strenuous activity, although she may begin to perform some light exercises such as walking. Wearing recovery bras is still very necessary to support the breasts as they progress in recovery. In addition, an itchy and burning feeling will most likely develop within the breasts but will subside, which is normal.
2-3 Weeks Post-Surgery
Here, the breasts begin to drop, though not uniformly. They are still firm, but less compressed than before, the nipples still point downwards, and the implants are high and appear less tight. The bruises will be less visible as the breasts begin to develop a rounded shape, especially at the bottom. Also, the patient will experience slight pain and itchiness inside the breasts which will subside over time. A person may take part in several sports activities such as walking, cycling, and general lower body workouts
6 Weeks Post-Surgery
At this moment, all incision sites will be completely healed. The breasts will begin to soften making the nipples rise proportionately as they centrally position themselves. Breast implants will soon blend in and begin to look like breasts, and the side breasts will start to develop a rounded shape. Although there may still be slight, shooting pain and itchiness within the breasts, an individual may go swimming, and may comfortably wear a bathing suit, or strapless dress. During this period, the surgeon may evaluate the patient for bra management.
12 Weeks Post-Surgery
Within this time, the breasts will have fully adapted to the implants. They will be softer than the previous weeks with the nipples centrally placed. The side rounding will be more visible and the bottom rounding perfectly shaped. The surgeon will remove the surgical tape around the breasts to allow the onset of scar gel treatment, as well as the continuity of bra evaluation. An individual can freely engage in any sports activity as long as she has on a surgical bra to support the breasts.
6 Months Post-Surgery
During this time, recovery will be at the fullest capacity, and the breasts will be attractive, full, and rounded. The patient could still use the scar gel treatment to eliminate incision scars, and with the help of a surgical bra, she could perform any kind of physical activity.
Conclusion
Recovery after breast augmentation surgery requires a lot of effort, determination, and dedication. With the help of surgical bras and scar gel treatment, a patient will experience a smooth recovery. In addition, always ensure that you follow your surgeon’s post-operative instructions.
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