Breast Augmentation Recovery and Safety
Ensuring a successful recovery is a responsibility that is shared by you and your surgeon. It is the duty of your surgeon to give you clear and detailed instructions on the best practises to follow. And it is your duty to follow these instructions. Remember that each individual is different and thus the recovery process will differ.
Pay attention to your body, if any activities cause pain or discomfort, stop immediately. Nausea and pain are common symptoms after your surgery and can be managed with the medications prescribed. However, if your symptoms are extreme, reach out to your surgeon and seek medical advice.
Wear loose-fitting garments made from natural fibres. Rest and get as much sleep as possible. Sleep on your back or on your side and keep your head elevated. Blood thinners should be avoided. Bandages should not be opened unless recommended by your surgeon. Allow your implants to settle naturally.
Potential Risks of Breast Augmentation
As with all forms of surgery, the possibility of risks is ever present, which is why it is crucial for your own safety that you ONLY choose a surgeon who has the right qualifications. Further, following a strict after surgery regime can also minimise complications.
Possible risks include the following:
- Infection
- Changes in the position of the implants
- Leakage or rupture of the implant
- Scar tissue that change the shape of the implants
- Pain
Before moving forward with surgery, discuss every detail with your surgeon, so that you are well informed.
The Breast Surgery Recovery Timeline
Day 1
After surgery you will be taken into a recovery area to be closely monitored. Your breasts will be wrapped in gauze dressings and an elastic bandage or support bra will minimise swelling and support the breasts as they heal. You may be permitted to go home after a few hours. Experiencing pain, swelling, bruising and some discomfort is common. Your surgeon will prescribe pain medication which should help with the symptoms. Your breasts will feel tight, and the implants could be a bit compressed and firm. The appearance of the nipples could be low and downward pointed. There is little rounding at the bottom of the breasts.
Day 2 – Day 4
During the first 24 to 48 hours, it is crucial to make sure you don’t place any unnecessary strain on yourself. It is important to allow your body to recover and heal at its own pace. Follow the instructions laid out by your surgeon, as this will help you recover successfully, and minimise the possibility of post-surgery complications arising. Refrain from indulging in all forms of physical activity. Restrict alcohol intake and do not smoke. Eat as healthily as possible, hydrate yourself and take adequate rest.
First Week
After a post-surgical recovery period of 24 to 48 hours and an additional reduced-activity period of a few days, you will likely experience soreness and swelling for a few weeks.
You will still need help with your daily activities. The dressings will still be in place, do not wear regular bras, or bras with underwires. Make sure you wear the medical garments your surgeon recommends for you to wear, this will help with the healing process by decreasing swelling and providing adequate support to your breasts. If you are unsure about any instructions, never hesitate to ask your surgeon, do not follow any advice other than that given to you by your surgeon or a medical professional.
Second Week
At this stage, you may discontinue the pain medication prescribed to you. Daily activities can be resumed. Light exercise such as walking is perfect as it helps with blood circulation without putting unnecessary stress on your body. Heavy lifting and strenuous activity is a complete no-go. Help your body heal faster by eating healthy. Your breasts may start to display more projection than they did in the first week. Breastbone swelling should have subsided. The lower portion of your breasts could appear more rounded than they did before, the nippes however, could still appear low.
3 to 6 Weeks
As the weeks go by, your implants should start sitting more naturally. Continue wearing the surgical bra (or sports bra as an alternative in some cases) to give your breasts the support they need. Do not indulge in upper body exercises, running may still not be recommended.
6 to 12 Weeks
During this period your scars will start fading. Consult your surgeon before resuming a rigorous exercise routine. Your breasts should have completely transformed and be closer to their final shape.
Remember that you should never rush recovery, be gentle with yourself, and ALWAYS reach out to your surgeon the moment you have a question or a doubt. Establishing open communication channels with your surgeon and the medical team can be highly beneficial to the success of your surgery.
Patient safety and satisfaction is taken very seriously by me and my team. We are committed to offer you excellent care throughout your treatment journey and help you achieve the results you aim for. I hope that this blog has been useful and has given you more information about the factors associated with breast surgery. Have more questions? Don’t hesitate to reach out to me, and book an appointment.
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- Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks.
- Before proceeding, you have the option to seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified specialist plastic surgeon
- Recovery time and treatment results will vary from patient to patient and depend upon a variety of individual patient factors
About Dr Rodrigo Teixeira
Dr Rodrigo Teixeira, MD, FRACS is a Plastic Surgeon in Melbourne. He has significant experience in Cosmetic Surgery, Rhinoplasty and Facial Surgery. Dr Teixeira is a fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (RACS), member of the Australian Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) and Australasian Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (ASAPS). Internationally, he is a member of the American and the International Societies.
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