Recovering From Breast Plastic Operation

What you need to know about smooth and safe recovery from Breast Augmentation procedure

Breast Enlargement is considered a relatively simple surgical procedure. Breast augmentation generally takes for only 1 ½ to 2 hours. In fact, many women are discharged from the hospital or surgical clinic and sent home on the same day that the procedure is performed. Nonetheless, patients who undergo breast augmentation must take all the necessary measures and follow their cosmetic surgeon’s guidelines for a quick and safe recovery.

Pain and Discomfort

It is normal for patients to experience pain and discomfort after breast enlargement. The level of pain and discomfort vary for each patient depending on the implant placement and, of course, her tolerance for pain. On the average, the level of discomfort is from mild to moderate if the implants are inserted over the muscle. If the breast implants are placed under the muscle, on the other hand, the level of discomfort is a little higher – moderate to severe.

It is highly recommended that you discuss with your cosmetic surgeon the guidelines you should follow as well as the things you can do on your own to reduce the pain and discomfort that a breast augmentation procedure brings before your surgery.

Swelling and Bruising

Swelling is also dependent on the location where the breast implants are placed. Patients who have their breast implants inserted over the muscle will experience very minimal swelling and the most swelling will occur 3 to 5 days after the breast enlargement procedure. Generally, most of the swelling will subside within 2 weeks. In the next following weeks, the swelling will be entirely gone. However, patients who have their breast implants inserted under the muscle will experience the most swelling. The swelling will take longer to subside. It normally takes about 2 to 4 weeks for most of the swelling to be gone. The swelling issue will be fully resolved within a few months for those who have implant placements under the muscle.

There are very few women who have bruises after breast augmentation. Most women do not have bruises at all. If you see black and blue spots on your breasts following the surgery, however, do not worry. Bruising after having gone through breast enlargement is not strange or unusual. In addition, having bruises after the procedure does not, in any way, affect the final result. In any case that bruises exist after the surgery, it takes only more or less a week for them to improve and disappear.

Stitches

Most cosmetic surgeons relieve you of the burden of going back to the hospital or surgical clinic for stitches removal by using absolvable sutures. These absolvable sutures are stitches that absorb and no longer require removal. There are some cases that surgeons use stitches that require removal, and will be removed by your surgeon within 5 to 7 days after your breast augmentation procedure.

Bathing

Most cosmetic surgeons will allow you to take a shower and let you remove the bandages within a few days following your surgery. It is best to talk to your surgeon after the procedure for the specific number of days that you are allowed to do so.

Back to Normal

It is, of course, advisable that you take the time off work as well as reduce the level or intensity of your activities for a number of days if you wish to undergo breast augmentation. The length of this time out also depends on the implant placement. If the breast implants are placed over the muscle, you may return to work within 4 to 7 days. Doing exercises must be stopped entirely for a duration of a week to a month. If the breast implants are placed under the muscle, however, it is advisable for you to return to work only after 7 to 10 days. Exercising should be stopped for 2 weeks until 2 months.

If your work entails lifting or any other similar obligations, you may want to discuss with your supervisor about your surgery so that these obligations may be lifted or limited for a period of time.

Note: Studies have shown that women who stop pectoral exercises 4 weeks before breast augmentation and plan to have their breast implants placed under the muscle will experience less pain and discomfort. In addition, these women also recover faster. Pectoral exercises include bench press and push-ups.

Length of Time

As with any surgery, recovering from breast augmentation is a gradual process. The length of time for recovery greatly varies among patients. Some patients may recover faster, while there are those that may be a little slower. Slow recovery, however, should not be a cause for alarm. The important thing to keep in mind is to recover and no post-surgical concerns arise. The final results of your breast enlargement procedure will be seen and fully-appreciated after the swelling has subsided.

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