After “which breast implants are right for me,” one of the big questions you might have about breast augmentation is what to expect during recovery from the surgery. Breast augmentation recovery does take some time and many women have to make some adjustments to their lives during it. Although several factors influence the amount of time specifically needed for breast augmentation recovery, you can expect to take about a week off from work. After that, you will most likely need several more weeks before things are fully back to normal.
Some Pain and Discomfort
It’s not uncommon for people to experience some discomfort or pain after breast augmentation. Fortunately, in many cases, the discomfort can be easily managed with pain medications. Your plastic surgeon will prescribe pain relievers to take during the first few days of recovery. After that, you can switch to taking Tylenol for any residual discomfort. It’s best to avoid ibuprofen and aspirin, as they increase the risk for bleeding and can interfere with healing.
You Can Skip the Bra
You might be excited to go out and purchase bras after surgery. What better way to celebrate your new look than with some new, well-fitting lingerie? Although it might seem counter-intuitive, it’s actually recommended that you skip wearing a bra, of any type, for the first six weeks after your surgery.
You want to give the implants time to settle into place after the surgery. Wearing a bra can distort your new breasts or otherwise interfere with them settling. Plus, since your implants are still settling for those first few weeks, it can be difficult to find a bra that fits right. Any residual swelling you have can lead to you purchasing a bra that’s ultimately too big.
It’s best to wait at least six weeks before you go bra shopping for a new size. Even after six weeks, you want to avoid bras that are too restricting. Start with low impact sports bras or bralettes, which provide some support but are also flexible enough to allow your breasts to settle into place.
Better to Avoid Exercise During Breast Augmentation Recovery
If you’re athletic and active, you might want to get back to the gym or your workout routine quickly after surgery. But it’s best to wait at least four to six weeks before you resume any strenuous activity, such as going for a run or lifting weights. Lifting your arms above your head or putting any sort of pressure on the chest area can interfere with the healing of the incisions. Running raises your blood pressure and can put strain on the incisions.
Not to mention the fact that you can’t wear a bra for those first six weeks, so any running or exercise you do will cause your new breasts to jostle and move. That movement can interfere with the final shape and size of your breasts.
If the thought of being housebound or limited to just sitting around for six weeks fills you with dread, don’t worry. You can still participate in low impact activities. You can take walks throughout the day, for example. Take it easy as you reintroduce exercise to your life. Start slowly and stop when you feel tired. Don’t feel that you need to push yourself. It’s better to do less exercise than you’re used to rather than over exert yourself and disrupt your recovery.
Position Matters During Recovery
Where the surgeon places your breast implants can influence how long your recovery takes. Implants can be positioned either over the muscle or under the muscle. Dr. Vitenas typically positions implants under the muscle, which has several advantages. One of those advantages is a shortened recovery time. While patients with over the muscle implants typically need a full week for initial recovery, patients with under the muscle implants need just a day or two.
Along with a shorter recovery time, under the muscle implants are typically more natural looking and feeling. They are usually recommended when a patient has a limited amount of natural breast tissue. The placement under the muscle can also be ideal when a patient chooses saline implants over silicone implants.
While you’ll be back to your normal, daily life within a month or two after breast augmentation, it’s important to allow yourself plenty of time to heal from surgery. Don’t rush yourself or feel that you need to prove anything to the world. Take it easy, get help with daily tasks and skip your workout for several weeks.
Dr. Paul Vitenas is one of the top rated breast augmentation plastic surgeons in the country. He is available to discuss the recovery process with you and he can provide guidance and assistance with choosing the right implant, implant placement and incisions. To schedule a consultation with Dr. Vitenas at his Houston-based practice, call 281-484-0088 today.