Posted by Dr. Hardesty

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WHAT IS THE HEALING TIME AFTER A BREAST AUGMENTATION?

Breast Augmentation recovery and healing are dependent on several factors. These include pain tolerance, exercise, implant size, implant shape, and technique used by the Riverside plastic surgeon. Everyone’s pain tolerance and healing time are unique. Some patients may be ready to return to full activities within a month while others may need to wait two months. Usually, for those who do not require strenuous movements, the average patient is back to work in 2 to 3 days. For those who have physically demanding occupations we recommend 7 to 10 days of downtime. Read on to learn more about what affects your breast augmentation recovery.

EXERCISING/WORKING OUT

To keep your blood circulating some low-impact exercise, such as an elliptical trainer or stationary bicycle, can begin shortly after surgery. If there is no breast pain or swelling during the first six weeks, then upper body exercises can steadily begin. In general, after six weeks there is no restriction on physical activity.

APPEARANCE

Most patients notice a change immediately after their plastic surgery procedure, but over the healing period, you will notice further gradual changes as well. It can take several weeks for your new breast implants to fully settle. Once they settle your final results can be seen.

PAIN

Each patient has their unique pain tolerance. We here at Imagine Plastic Surgery believe in preventing and reducing pain. At the preoperative appointment, you will be given several prescriptions for pain reduction, anti-swelling, and anti-bruising.

This will help to make your healing process more comfortable. Your surgery will be performed under general anesthesia. This helps to reduce discomfort and minimize bleeding during the surgery. The pain during the recovery period varies between patients. We can go over ways to remedy any pain or discomfort that you experience throughout the healing process.

TECHNIQUE

The techniques used during a breast augmentation can have an effect on your healing time. The Breast Augmentation will be completed using the most precise and gentle method thus reducing pain to the breast and muscle tissue. Surgical techniques impact your scarring, swelling, bruising, and discomfort. Dr. Hardesty and the team at Imagine Plastic Surgery will use the most beneficial technique that will provide a comfortable recovery process.

SIZE

The breast implant size you and your surgeon choose can influence postoperative pain based on a variety of things. Implant size affects the length of healing time. The larger the implant the greater the stretching of the breast tissue, muscle, and skin. In fact, size is one of the most important factors when considering breast surgery.

PLACEMENT OF IMPLANT

If the implant is placed on top of the muscle it usually causes less pain and provides quicker recovery. In contrast, when the implant is placed under the muscle the recovery is a bit longer. However, the benefits of under the muscle placement are so significant that we here at Imagine Plastic Surgery rarely place an implant on top of the muscle.

PAST MEDICAL HISTORY AND SMOKING

Any past surgeries, medical procedures, and ailments will have an effect on the healing process. One of the main lifestyle choices that cause concern is smoking. If you are a smoker you must quit at least two weeks prior to surgery and continue not smoking for at least one month after surgery. To know if you are eligible for this procedure, you will need to make a consultation appointment at Imagine Plastic Surgery.

Before & After

WHAT WILL HELP SPEED UP HEALING AFTER BREAST AUGMENTATION?

We have a very specific plan here at Imagine Plastic Surgery that will help your recovery time. In general, be of good health, abstain from alcohol, avoid birth control pills, and don’t take aspirin-containing products for two weeks prior to surgery. To encourage the healing process take our supplement medication for anti-bruising and anti-swelling which will provide an initial speedy improvement.

Immediately after breast augmentation, you will notice a drastic change in your breasts. However, the implants aren’t fully settled yet so your full results have yet to be revealed. To obtain the shape and look that you would like you will need a regular breast massage for the first 5 to 6 weeks.

You will be instructed on how to perform a breast massage. We will give you instructions on our “5-5-5” program”:

• 5 minutes
• 5 times a day
• 5 weeks

This program is designed to help the position of the breast implants.

At Imagine Plastic Surgery we believe in a thorough pre-operative evaluation. At which time medications for anti-swelling, anti-bruising, anti-pain, and muscle relaxers will be prescribed to take prior to the surgery. We want our patients to have a comfortable recovery process which is why we do all we can to make this transitional period easy for you.

Schedule a Consultation

The most important factor to consider when looking to get a breast augmentation is seeking the opinion and services of a skilled, experienced, and board-certified plastic surgeon who is an expert in breast techniques. The Imagine Plastic Surgery team uniquely provides the full array of surgical and non-surgical enhancements thus filling our motto of, “One Goal, Many Options”. For more information, call (951) 686-7600 and schedule a consultation.