Hello, everyone! I’m so excited to be back on the blog and writing about my experience with breast augmentation.

I’ve been wanting to get a boob job for years now, but I kept putting it off because I was worried about how long it would take me to recover from surgery. In the end, though, I decided that it would be worth it—and it was!

I had my surgery on a Wednesday and was back at work by Monday morning. The surgery itself took about an hour or two (I don’t remember exactly how long), and then I had to wait for the anesthesia to wear off before they sent me home in a cab.

It wasn’t until Thursday evening when I started feeling like myself again—but even then, it was only really painful when I sneezed or coughed or stretched too far while reaching up above my head (which is pretty much impossible not to do if you live anywhere other than outside). And by Friday afternoon, I felt pretty good enough that I could go out for lunch with some friends without having them think twice about whether or not they should order for me!

I’m still wearing my compression bra every day (and night!), but other than that? It

1 week post op breast augmentation

BREAST AUGMENTATION RECOVERY TIMELINE

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UNDERSTANDING YOUR BREAST AUGMENTATION RECOVERY TIMELINE

At Cruise Plastic Surgery, we know how important it is to understand what to expect when recovering from breast augmentation surgery. It can be overwhelming to think about recovering from surgery and all the steps you’ll need to take. Conversely, it can be easy to simply focus on your results and gloss over the important recovery process.

For these reasons, it’s important to spend time learning about your recovery and the different phases that come in the weeks after breast augmentation. This not only allows you to properly plan your schedule, but also helps prevent surprises and unnecessary stress. Here’s what to know about your breast augmentation recovery timeline.

Orange County Breast Augmentation Patient

Breast Implant Recovery Timeline

It can be helpful to know what to expect after your procedure, but it can be difficult to find specific information about the weeks and months after breast augmentation. The more you know about your recovery schedule, the more you can plan accordingly.

Take a look at our healing progression timeline with breast augmentation recovery photos showing you a typical breast augmentation healing process.

Below you will find more information about what can typically be expected following breast augmentation surgery.

1 Day After Surgery

• Implants look high and compressed
• Breasts are very firm and tight
• Nipples will most likely appear very low and may point downward
• There will be very little side rounding or bottom breast rounding
• This is typically the phase where breasts look like pecs. This means they are squared at the top, don’t show much outward projection, and have little to no fullness at the bottom
• Breastbone is swollen
• Breasts have mild to moderate bruising
• Necessary to wear a non-support athletic bra 24/7, except while showering
• Dr. Cruise will prescribe pain medication to reduce discomfort during this time

1 week after breast augmentation

• Implants will still be high and compressed, but may have a little more projection
• Breast tissue will still be firm and tight
• Nipples will still appear low
• Breasts will have slightly more bottom rounding and still no side rounding
• Swelling on the breastbone should be mild or nonexistent
• Bruising will be mild or nonexistent
• Breasts will still resemble pecs more than natural breasts
• You can begin sleeping flat on your back but not on your sides yet
• You may start feeling an itching or burning sensation— this is normal
• You may begin walking (even brisk walks) as early as a couple of days after surgery. Be sure to monitor for increased pain and swelling. If this happens, give yourself more time to heal and try again in a few days or so.

2-3 weeks after breast augmentation

• Implants will still be high, but will start to become less compressed
• Breasts are still firm, but not quite as tight
• Natural scar tissue has almost fully formed around the capsule
• Nipples may still be low, but will start to elevate upwards
• Bottom rounding is becoming more pronounced, but the breasts are still much more rounded at the top
• Very little side rounding, if any yet
• Bruising is typically gone
• You may notice more shooting pains and itching
• You may notice one breast dropping faster than the other breast. Asymmetry issues may be obvious, but this is normal
• Your implants may begin dropping at this point, but this varies by patient
• You will start being evaluated for bra management
• You may begin additional physical activity. Biking, walking, and lower body workouts are acceptable, but without bouncing. Stop if your normal activities become painful or increase swelling in your breasts

6 weeks after breast augmentation

• Your enhanced breast size looks more natural and is taking on a more attractive appearance
• Breasts are starting to soften, but could still be firm on the sides
• Nipples are rising slowly to the center of the breasts. They may not be perfect at this stage, but should have good improvement.
• Side breast rounding is slowly beginning, but is not pronounced
• Shooting pains may still be present, but are less frequent
• Muscle aches may occur as you reengage chest and shoulder muscles
• One breast could still appear higher than the other. Asymmetry is normal.
• You will again be evaluated for bra management at each appointment with Dr. Cruise
• It’s okay to sleep on your side, but stomach sleeping is not recommended
• You will most likely be able to comfortably wear a bathing suit or strapless dress
• Incisions should be completely closed. If so, you can go into the water fully submerged. Make sure the incisions have been closed for a minimum of 1 week.

8-9 weeks after breast augmentation

• Breasts are looking much better, but will likely not be 100%
• Breasts are softer than before, but may still need more time to settle
• Nipples are in a good position, but may still be slightly low and uneven from side to side
• Side rounding becomes more pronounced at each visit
• Bottom rounding fills in and becomes more pronounced
• Bra management will be evaluated at each appointment
• One breast may still be slightly higher than the other, but should be slowly improving
• Depending on how you are healing, you may be cleared to increase your physical activity to include running, high impact activities, and upper body work outs. Ask Dr. Cruise for specific surgeon’s instructions.

12 weeks after breast augmentation

• Breasts will have a nice, attractive shape. You may be almost completely healed at this point. However, some patients may still need a month or two for further softening and implant dropping.
• Breasts continue to soften, and swelling is almost gone
• Nipples should be almost centered, if not already
• Side rounding is good, but may not be perfect depending on your muscles and tissues. Some patients round over a 6-month period.
• Bottom rounding is much more noticeable, but will continue to improve
• Surgical tape is no longer needed on incisions. You can begin Scarless scar gel treatment
• Upper body workouts and running are now okay. Heavy lifting may be acceptable as well. Be sure to wear a fitted sports bra with support.
• Bra management evaluation continues

6 months after breast augmentation

• Breasts will be in optimal position
• Breasts will be much softer to the touch
• Side and bottom rounding have good definition
• Continue to use Scarless scar gel on incisions, if needed
• Underwire bras are recommended for most patients at this point
• Fitted support athletic bra will still be recommended during high-impact activity

When Should I Schedule My Breast Augmentation?

This breast augmentation timeline can help you make an informed decision about when to have surgery. All of these factors should be taken into consideration when making plans, and it can be helpful to think about what works best for you, as well as for anyone who will be helping you during the healing process. This can help you plan the ideal time for your breast augmentation and recovery.

There are many important factors that go into choosing when to have breast augmentation. Timing is just one of them. Here is a brief list of things you’ll want to take into consideration when planning for breast augmentation:

• If you work, how much time can you take off? Is there a better time of year to take off than another?
• What type of work do you do (desk job or something more physical)? This will be a factor when determining when you will be ready to go back to work.
• Is there someone available to help you the first few days after surgery and do they need to take time off work?
• Are you trying to have breast augmentation in time for a big event (i.e. wedding, vacation, reunion, etc.)? If this is the case, give yourself more time rather than less time to recover. If you plan to wear a strapless dress or clothing that is revealing, 6 weeks is likely the earliest you will look acceptable, but 3-4 months is optimal.
• Do you want to have surgery before summer arrives? Most patients choose to have surgery at the beginning of summertime, but they don’t realize that they need to start planning months in advance. Winter or early spring is the best time to have breast augmentation if you want to be completely healed and bikini-ready by summer.

The Importance of Breast Augmentation Consultations

Dr. Cruise can discuss all the relevant factors at length during your initial consultation so you understand your timeline and plans for recovery. He can also answer important questions about how long until the swelling goes down after breast augmentation, when you can return to your normal schedule, and how long you can expect to take off work after breast augmentation.

It’s important to be honest about your lifestyle and the effects that surgery might have on it since you’ll need to make significant changes to your daily routine for an extended period of time.

7 days post op breast augmentation

How long is the recovery for a breast augmentation?

• Christine Blaine, MD | Huntington, NY
• Tuesday, July 28, 2020
• 10

Increasing your breast size with a breast augmentation is a major procedure that requires a lot of pre-surgery prep and post-surgery recovery. Like any surgery, taking care of your body and listening to your doctor’s medical advice is most important to have a successful outcome.

If you have ever wondered how long it takes to recover from breast augmentation, continue reading to get an idea of what to expect during postoperative breast augmentation care.

Breast augmentation recovery

Every woman is different and recovery time can vary. There are various factors such as implant size and type, placement and even the surgical skill of the doctor which can affect recovery time.

On average, a full recovery period usually takes about four to six weeks. It’s important to refrain from physical activity, lifting heavy objects and overworking yourself during this sensitive time.

What to expect after a breast augmentation

24 hours post-op

After the operation, you may experience soreness, fatigue, nausea, tightness in your chest and oversensitivity or a loss of sensitivity in the breasts. You may also notice swelling and bruising, which will fade over time.

After the surgery, you will be required to rest for a couple of hours in the surgical postoperative room until the anesthesia fully wears off. It is crucial you have a ride home from a trusted family member or friend who will continue to help and take care of you a few days post-op.

During the first 24 hours, you may feel extreme pain and discomfort. Taking over the counter pain relievers as directed, like acetaminophen is recommended. Your doctor may also prescribe pain relievers and muscle relaxers so help keep you comfortable.

5 to 7 days post-op

After the first week, you may continue to feel mild pain or discomfort. However, the intensity of pain should have decreased. At this stage, you may be able to return to normal activities, if directed by your surgeon.

However, you should refrain from strenuous activities such as lifting your arms above your head, which can result in irritation and bleeding. At this time, your breast implants will begin to settle in place. It is important to follow any post-operative advice, such as massaging the breast tissue to help relax the muscles and reduce swelling.

3 to 4 weeks post-op

At this stage, you should feel little to no pain or discomfort. Swelling and bruising in the breasts should have reduced and faded. However, it is normal to still have bruising depending on the type of surgery and if there were any complications.

Your doctor may start to encourage you to engage in light exercises but refrain from strenuous activities. Continuing to wear a post-surgical bra and front closure bras can still promote healing at this time.

4 to 6 weeks post-op

Usually, at this point, most patients have fully recovered and can resume regular activity. Your breasts should look and feel more natural. Patients are advised to make an appointment with their surgeon for a full evaluation of the breast implants.