Hello, I’m Dr. [name], and I’m here today to talk about the two-stage breast lift and augmentation procedure.

In this procedure, we start with a breast lift, then follow it up with an augmentation at a later date. This allows you to get back to your normal routine as quickly as possible while still getting the results you want.

Let’s take a look at why some patients choose this option:

• They need support after surgery, but they don’t want a lot of downtime during the first phase of their recovery.
• They have some extra skin that needs to be removed after their first surgery, but they would like more volume in the second phase.
• They have had previous surgeries that left them with excess skin or tissue removal that resulted in thinning breasts, but they still want volume enhancement for a fuller appearance.

2 stage breast lift and augmentation

What to expect after your breast augmentation surgery

Small or large, round or narrow, side set, teardrop or asymmetrical, breasts come in any number of shapes and sizes. But for those who aren’t happy with the breasts they were naturally dealt, breast augmentation has long offered an opportunity to change them.

As one of the most consistently popular cosmetic procedures of recent decades, breast augmentation has come a long way since the experimental surgeries of the early 20th century and since the advent of breast implants in 1961. The operation is among the most recognizable examples of plastic surgery and has come to play a pivotal role in shaping the cultural understanding of the space for many years. Yet, even as roughly 200,000 Americans underwent breast augmentation in 2020 alone, confusion persists around its recovery process, and many patients remain unsure of what to expect after the procedure.

How long does recovery take following breast augmentation?

While recovery time can greatly differ depending on the specifics of your procedure, your health, and after-care, there is a general timeline that often rings true for breast augmentation.

“Depending on the technique used, recovery can be three weeks (with subglandular augmentation, my preference) or three months (with submuscular technique, which is much more painful and involves cutting your pectoralis major muscles and stretching them over an implant),” explains Karen Horton, MD, a board-certified plastic surgeon in San Francisco and ASPS member.

Is there anything you should avoid before surgery to minimize recovery time?

Contrary to popular belief, recovery actually starts before you even have your breast augmentation. Although patients aren’t at all limited in their physical activity in the days and weeks leading up to the surgery, there are certain medications and supplements that should be avoided.

“The main offenders for increasing bleeding and bruising with surgery are anti-inflammatories,” Dr. Horton says, referring to aspirin, ibuprofen, and the like. There are also a number of vitamins and supplements, like vitamin E, fish oil, ginkgo biloba, and garlic, that you should avoid for two weeks before (and after) surgery. “In concentrated forms, they can increase bleeding in some studies.”

What is the first week of recovery like?

As with any surgery, breast augmentation carries different points of recovery in the days, weeks, and months that follow. Immediately following the operation, rest and icing will be top priority.

“Ice is your best friend in terms of keeping swelling down and helping to control the pain, and that’s the process I do with my patients now,” says Anureet Bajaj, MD, a board-certified plastic surgeon in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma and an ASPS member.

Drains can significantly speed up recovery time, as they remove wound fluid rather than forcing the body to absorb it, but in most breast augmentation surgeries, they are not needed.

And although it’s natural to think of bedrest as necessary in the first few days following surgery, Dr. Bajaj says this is not actually the best course of action after breast augmentation.

“I think the conception of being bed-ridden or on bed rest can be misleading because you really want to be up and about and walking,” she notes. “It makes you feel better because it keeps the blood moving. The more sedentary and stiffer you are, the more you almost freeze up, and the more painful it is.”

It may sound ambitious, but according to Dr. Bajaj, it should only take between three to five days to get past this first stage of recovery.

“Typically, with breast augmentation, most people should be able to glide within three to five days. And if you have a desk job, you should be able to go back to work within three to five days,” she says. “So, if things are done appropriately, it’s very reasonable to be able to do that.”

To be on the safe side, though, it may be wise to plan for up to a week.

“I recommend one week off of work for subglandular augmentation and longer if the muscles were operated on (i.e. revision surgery) or if the patient has a physically demanding job (firefighter, police officer, nurse, surgeon),” Dr. Horton advises.

How much pain can you expect?

The pain experienced after breast augmentation is subjective and will depend on a variety of factors, but it can be helpful to have a rough idea of what to expect.

“From what I remember, the pain and discomfort wasn’t like a sharp pain,” Dr. Bajaj recalls of her own breast augmentation. “I remember feeling like I had done 150 pushups and that my chest was just really sore. To me, it felt like muscle soreness after the biggest workout of your life, and that’s how I describe it to my patients.” She warns her patients that they will feel especially sore the morning after the operation and that when they first wake up, they aren’t going to want to move.

Many women who’ve undergone breast augmentation also report feeling some muscle soreness whenever they move or raise their arms in the days after surgery. “Your pectoralis is connected to your humorous, so any time you move your arm, you may feel some soreness in your chest,” says Dr. Bajaj. You also may experience a burning sensation around incisions in the immediate aftermath, but this should subside fairly quickly.

When can you return to normal activity?

It takes only about a week to heal enough from surgery to return to work (if an office job) and most activity, but there are certain things, namely exercise, that require waiting a bit longer.

“I usually tell patients they can start working out at about three weeks post-op, and that means legs and arms but no chest,” Dr. Bajaj explains. “I remember the first time I went running again, it was about two weeks after surgery, and I felt like my breasts were going to fall off my chest. So, I tell my patients that when they first start doing any type of cardio that’s really bouncy, that’s what it will feel like, and they might want to wear two bras.”

“I put my patients in a surgical bra that they wear for two weeks, and then after that, I tell them to wear any sports bra or bra without an underwire,” says Dr. Bajaj. “I don’t let them wear an underwire bra for about two to three months until the implants have settled.”

Generally speaking, it’s best to listen to your body and see what feels right. “There are no long-term restrictions after surgery – or at least there shouldn’t be,” Dr. Horton adds. “Some surgeons do recommend stopping using your pec muscles if implants are under the muscle, but really, how on earth do you do that?”

5 Stages of Healing after Breast Augmentation

Breast augmentation is one of the most popular plastic surgery procedures performed in the United States. Each year, hundreds of thousands of women experience the life-changing benefits associated with an improved breast appearance.

Before moving forward with your procedure, it’s important to understand what to expect during every stage of the process. Breast augmentation is major surgery, and there is a significant recovery period. While the overwhelming majority of women find that it’s worth undergoing this lengthy healing process, you should be aware of the road to recovery that lies ahead of you.

Stage 1: The Day of Your Surgery

Breast augmentation is performed on an outpatient basis, and you will return home the day of your procedure. Since you’ll still be under the lingering effects of anesthesia, you’ll need to arrange for someone to drive you home. It’s also important to have someone around the house for the rest of the day in case you need assistance.

You’ll need to get plenty of rest and stay hydrated on this first day of recovery. We recommend that you set up a comfortable recovery area prior to your procedure. It should include:

• Extra pillows and blankets for optimal comfort
• A place to easily access water and snacks without bending over
• Plenty of entertainment (movies, books, music) to keep you occupied while you relax

We recommend that you prepare some healthy, nutritious meals in advance that you can easily reheat since you won’t feel up to cooking. You should also fill all prescriptions in advance so that they’ll be on-hand when you get home from surgery.

Stage 2: First 5-7 Days after Surgery

This is typically the most uncomfortable phase of your recovery. It’s common to experience:

• Bruising and swelling around the breasts which will gradually subside as you heal
• Discomfort which can be managed with pain medication

You should start feeling much better towards the end of this first week of recovery. Dr. Lee encourages light walking as soon as you feel up to it. This will facilitate proper blood flow and help prevent blood clots. Always listen to your body and rest if you feel you need to.

Stage 3: 1-3 Weeks after Surgery

During this phase of recovery, you will be able to gradually resume your regular routine. In general, most women are able to return to work within one to two weeks after breast augmentation. If your job requires heavy lifting or other strenuous physical activity, you may need to take additional time off to ensure your body is sufficiently healed.

Bruising, swelling and discomfort should have substantially subsided by this point. Dr. Lee will carefully monitor your recovery and let you know when it is safe to resume normal activities and light exercise. Light cardio activities can be incorporated into your routine at this point, but you will still need to refrain from strenuous activities. When resuming exercise, it’s important to start slow and gradually ramp up your efforts as your body gets stronger.

Stage 4: 4-6 Weeks after Surgery

By now, you will be sufficiently recovered to begin adding more strenuous activity back into your routine. Always wait until Dr. Lee tells you it is safe to resume specific activities to prevent complications.

Intense cardio and lower body exercises can be resumed after about four weeks. However, you’ll need to refrain from heavy lifting and chest exercises until you are roughly six weeks out of surgery.

Stage 5: Final Results

It can take as long as three to four months before you are able to see your final results. This is due to the fact that it takes time for your breast implants to settle into their proper position and for all residual swelling to subside. While you’ll want to experience your new appearance as soon as possible, it’s important to be patient during this process.

Dr. Lee recommends waiting to purchase new bras and bikinis until your final results are visible since your breast size and appearance may still undergo slight changes for several months.

does breast augmentation include lift

What do you do if you are unhappy with your breast size, shape or droop? Which breast procedure is right for you? Several surgical options are available to you depending on what you would like to achieve.

Two of the most popular procedures are breast augmentation and breast lift. Ultimately a consultation with a board-certified plastic surgeon who specializes in aesthetic breast surgery is needed to determine what procedure aligns with your goals.

Breast augmentation: What you need to know

Do you want bigger breasts? If yes, then augmentation is the surgical procedure that will be required. When considering breast augmentation there are four major areas that will need to be considered including placement of the incision, implant size/shape, type of implant and the associated risks.

Incision and implant placement: The three most common incisions for breast augmentation include inframammary (under the fold of the breast), trans-axillary (in the armpit) or periareolar (around the nipple). Each incisional technique has its set of advantages and disadvantages. I almost exclusively use the inframammary incision technique as it provides optimal access to the breast tissue, has the least chance of complications and completely hides procedural scarring.

Implant size and shape: When it comes to size and shape you have multiple options. Considerations such as your chest wall shape, your body form, your lifestyle, your natural foundation and your goals must be addressed. A board-certified plastic surgeon who specializes in breast augmentation will be able to discuss what size and shape will look the best and ultimately make you happy. In general, I advise patients not to go up more than two bra cup sizes, as anything larger can overwhelm the chest regarding appearance, diameter and/or width. Also, you do not want to have your entire look overwhelmed by your breasts!

Implant types: Silicone versus saline depends on multiple factors including desired results, preference and the patient’s body type. Silicone tends to be more expensive, requires a larger incision and is a more involved surgical procedure. However, silicone implants tend to have a more natural realistic feel and are an excellent choice for a patient with very little natural breast tissue. Saline implants work well with a patient who has ample breast tissue, as it can add volume and shape without necessarily changing the feel of the breasts. Incidentally, both types of implants last ten to fifteen years, are FDA approved and have excellent safety records.

Breast lift: What you need to know

Loss of breast volume usually leads to breast ptosis (drooping). Breast drooping is especially evident as women age, fluctuate in weight or bear children. A breast lift will help correct drooping by volumetrically reshaping the breasts.

A simple test to determine if you’re a candidate for a breast lift is the pencil test. Place a pencil as high as you can under the breast fold. If the pencil holds, then you have signs of breast drooping. If your nipple falls below the pencil, then you have significant ptosis, and more than likely are a great candidate for a breast lift.

There are three types of breast lift approaches including periareolar, vertical breast reduction and inverted-T incisions. The periareolar incision approach follows the natural areolar shape of the patient and is typically best for someone who has large areolas and minimal breast drooping that needs correction. The vertical breast reduction incision approach follows the same path as the periareolar around the areola but also extends directly down from the areola thus allowing a greater lift for moderate drooping. The inverted-T incision approach follows the same path as the periareolar and vertical breast incision; however, it also includes an incision within the breast fold.

The inverted-T incision approach is the most common, most predictable and allows for the maximum breast lift. The technique that is right for you depends on the amount of breast volume, tissue and the degree of ptosis (breast sagging) you have.