Breast augmentation recovery time is a common question for those who are considering getting breast implants. While there are many different factors that impact how long it takes to recover from a breast augmentation, the most important thing to consider is where your surgeon places your implant.
If you’re interested in learning more about breast augmentation recovery time, then you’ve come to the right place! We’re going to cover what happens during your surgery, what you can expect after surgery, and how long it will take you to get back to normal activities. This post also talks about breast implants under muscle recovery and over muscle implants capsular contracture.
Before we dive into what happens during your surgery, let’s talk about how an under-the-muscle placement differs from other options. When choosing an implant type and size, there are several factors that should be taken into consideration,, including: skin quality, body shape/size/weight distribution (including height), age at which you want them done (if any), breast size before surgery (if any), smoking habits (if any), exercise habits (if any), etc.
Be sure to visit our catalog for more information on signs of breast implant problems, over-the-muscle implant pros and cons, and much more.
Breast Implants Under Muscle Problems
One of the most common questions we get from patients is how long will it take for breast implants to fall into place after surgery. Breast implants generally take 6 weeks to 3 months to adjust and look natural. Like many other things in life, they’re well worth the wait.
The length of the adjustment period depends on a few different factors, such as your age and how much swelling you experience.
Why Do Breast Implants Need Time to Settle?
Surgically implanting anything into your body requires your body to adapt. Breast implants are foreign to your body, so your body will need some time to acclimate to your new breasts.
Displaced tissues and swelling are common in many breast augmentation surgeries. The swelling can even make your enhanced breasts appear to be unnaturally far apart for a short time post-surgery. Or, your breasts may appear tight and stiff. The swelling may also cause them to feel lumpy on top but flat on the sides.
Over time, your muscles loosen and your tissues learn to work around the implants. This is called the “drop and fluff.” When this happens, you’ll begin to see the perky, well-formed breasts you were expecting.
Does My Age Affect the Adjustment Period?
Yes, it can. With breast augmentation, the internal breast tissues have to adjust but the skin also has to stretch to accommodate your new implants. Each body is different and how fast your body responds to the implants affects how long it will take for them to reach your desired end result.
The younger you are, the tighter your skin. Women who haven’t given birth or breastfed also have tighter skin in the breast area. The tighter the skin, the longer it will take your body to adjust to the implants. If you are older, you can typically expect a faster adjustment period. Our skin loosens as we age, so breasts will drop more rapidly if your skin has more give in it.
Also, the larger you go with your implants, the longer your healing process will take. Smaller implants require less adjustment. Likewise, textured implants take longer to drop and fluff. This is because your breast tissues are smooth, so a textured implant is even more foreign to them so your body will need more time to adapt.
How to Ensure Your Breast Augmentation Results
When you undergo a cosmetic procedure, the best thing you can do is follow all your post-op instructions. The last thing you want to do is negatively impact your final results after you’ve invested time and money in your breast enhancement surgery. You should always follow your surgeon’s recovery plan, but here are few extra tips on how to ensure you get the final look, shape, and feel you want.
- Wear Your Support Bra as Instructed
Your surgeon should provide you with a special, post-surgery bra that will support your breasts as they heal. Don’t skip out on wearing it. Many patients fear it will be uncomfortable, but these bras were designed for comfort and to aid the recovery process. Your specialized bra will minimize your discomfort and protect you as your body heals and adapts to the new breast implants. Wearing the bra is also is vital to proper alignment. A supportive surgical bra puts your breasts in the right position for the drop and fluff.
Surgical bras are designed with a front opening, so they won’t pull on your breasts when you move. For at least two weeks, you should wear your bra day and night. Your surgeon will let you know when you can switch to daytime-only wear.
Once you get the all-clear to ditch your support bra, you should continue to wear a bra. When you exercise, wear a sports bra and then a regular bra any other time you are awake. If you don’t wear a bra, your breast implants can start to droop. Many people mistakenly assume that breast implants can’t sag, but that’s not the case. - Use Scar Tape & Scar Gel to Reduce Scarring
Post-surgery, you’ll be sent home with silicone sheets over your incision sites. These silicone sheets reduce your chance of developing keloid scarring and keep bacteria from entering the incisions. To minimize any scarring, use medical-grade scar gel for a minimum of two to three months post-surgery. Scar gel will soften and diminish your scars. - Take It Easy & Don’t Strain Yourself
Avoid lifting heavy objects or doing any strenuous activities for three to four weeks after your breast implant surgery. Arrange to have help, so that you can reduce your movement. Don’t bend, stretch, or lift anything, even something moderately heavy, if you can help it. As a rule of thumb, don’t pick up anything heavier than a gallon jug of milk. If you move too much or pick up something too heavy, you increase your risk of capsular contracture. Breast implants require patience and commitment and the recovery process will affect your typical daily life. But with time, you’ll be able to do all the exercises and things you did before surgery.
Even if your swelling quickly subsides and you feel great, the first-month post-surgery is not the time for major projects. Plan to have help around the house or with small children, so you don’t have to risk your results. In the scheme of things, a month of restricted activity is nothing to achieve the breasts you’ve imagined.
Also, avoid any special occasions where formal, tight-fitting clothing is required. Wear loose-fitting tops that button in front. Front buttons let you put on your shirt without lifting your arms above your head. Clothing that’s too tight puts added stress on your breast implants and the healing tissues. - Massage Your Breasts
If your surgeon recommends them, give yourself gentle breast massages. A massage boosts circulation and helps your breast implants settle into a natural position. Your medical team will give you instructions on how to massage your breasts. Stick to these instructions, as a heavy massage can impede your healing process. However, remember that if you’ve had a breast lift plus augmentation, you shouldn’t massage your breasts. - Eat Well, Rest, & Drink Plenty of Water
How you treat your body post-surgery will affect how well it heals and how fast. Stay away from junk food and alcohol while you recuperate and avoid smoking. Leading up to surgery, eat plenty of healthy food like fruits and vegetables. Post-surgery, continue to eat well. Have your post-surgery food stocked in your fridge and pantry plus easy, quick meals planned.
No one likes to wait, but breast implants don’t give you the look you want overnight. Your body has to heal and adjust. All good things take time, so remember to follow all of your instructions and take care of yourself. If you eat well, avoid anything strenuous, and wear your supportive surgical bra, you can expect amazing results from your breast implantation surgery.
Get Started with Your Breast Augmentation Journey
If you’re ready to enhance your breasts with cosmetic surgery, the team at Perimeter Plastic Surgery is here to educate and assist you. At your consultation, we will discuss your desired results in detail and show you exactly what you’ll look like post-surgery. Based on your age, build, and lifestyle, we can help you pick the perfect augmentation for your needs.
What’s It Like to Recover from Breast Augmentation Surgery?
Breast augmentation is a surgery that increases the size of a person’s breasts. It’s also known as augmentation mammoplasty.
In most surgeries, implants are used to enhance breast size. Fat from another part of the body can also be used, but this method is less common.
People typically get this surgery to:
- enhance physical appearance
- reconstruct the breast after a mastectomy or another breast surgery
- adjust uneven breasts due to surgery or another condition
- increase breast size after pregnancy or breastfeeding
People seeking male-to-female or male-to-nonbinary top surgery might also get breast augmentation.
Generally, recovery takes about 6 to 8 weeks. It may take more time, depending on how you heal and your overall health. Every person is different, so it’s best to talk to a surgeon if you’re concerned about the recovery process.
Read on to learn about what you can expect during breast augmentation recovery.
Breast Augmentation Recovery Time
In most cases, recovery lasts about 6 to 8 weeks. Here’s what the timeline may look like:
Immediately after surgery
Most breast augmentation surgeries involve general anesthesia. This means you’re asleep during the procedure.
Once the surgery is done, you’ll be transferred to a recovery room. You’ll slowly wake up as a team of medical professionals monitors you. You’ll likely feel achy and groggy.
If the implants were placed under the pectoralis muscle, you may experience tightness or muscle aches in the area. As the muscles stretches and relaxes, the pain will decrease.
Hours after surgery
After a few hours, you’ll feel less sore and sleepy.
You can usually go home after several hours, but you’ll need someone to drive you.
Before you leave, your surgeon will wrap your breasts with a bra or elastic band. This will support your breasts during recovery. Your surgeon will also explain how to care for your incision sites.
3 to 5 days
During the first 3 to 5 days, you’ll likely experience the most discomfort. Your doctor will have prescribed medication to help control the pain.
You might have minor bleeding at the incision sites. This is normal. But if you’re concerned about any bleeding, talk to your surgeon.
1 week
As you approach 1 week, you may be able to manage the pain with over-the-counter pain medications.
The pain should be minimal after the first week.
With your surgeon’s approval, you can gradually return to light daily activities.
Next few weeks
During this time, you’ll still have some soreness and swelling. But it should slowly get better.
If you have a physically demanding job, you’ll need to be out of work for 3 weeks or more. You’ll also need to avoid heavy lifting and intense physical activities, like running.
2 months
After about 2 months, you should be nearing full recovery, though this depends on how well your body heals.
Your doctor will let you know if you can resume normal activities.
Possible complications
As with all types of surgery, breast augmentation poses potential complications.
General surgery complications include scarring, wound infections, and bleeding problems, like blood loss. It’s also possible to go into shock or develop issues related to blood clots.
Anesthesia can also trigger an allergic reaction, but this is rare.
Complications specific to breast augmentation include:
- scarring that changes the breast shape
- asymmetrical breasts
- breast pain
- breast numbness
- undesired or poor cosmetic results
- nipple changes in appearance
- breast or nipple sensation changes
- breast cellulitis
- breasts appear to merge (symmastia)
- incorrect position of implant
- implant is seen or felt through the skin
- skin wrinkling over the implant
- fluid accumulation (seroma)
- scarring around the implant (capsular contracture)
- implant leak or break
- breastfeeding problems
- breast implant-associated anaplastic large cell lymphoma
- breast implant illness
To heal some of these complications, you may need surgery to replace or remove the implants.
On average, breast implants last about 10 years before the shell ruptures or leaks. You’ll eventually need surgery to replace or remove them.
Types of Breast Augmentation Surgery
There are two main kinds of breast augmentation:
- Cosmetic breast implants. A silicone or saline implant is inserted behind the breast tissue or below the pectoralis, or pushup, muscle.
- Reconstructive surgery. If your breasts were removed in another surgery, breast implants or fat tissue from another part of the body can be used to rebuild them.
Breast augmentation can be combined with a breast lift, or mastopexy. This surgery changes the shape of your breasts, but it doesn’t alter the size.
Tips for A Healthy Recovery
Successful breast augmentation depends on how well you heal. To increase the chances of a smooth recovery, you can:
- Wear recovery bras. Follow your doctor’s instructions. Recovery bras provide support and manage pain and swelling.
- Care for your incisions. Depending on your surgeon’s preference, you may have to wear a bandage or apply ointment. Always follow the directions.
- Take your medication. During the first week, pain medication will help you feel more comfortable. If your doctor prescribed antibiotics, take the entire course.
- Prepare your home before surgery. Before the procedure, finish any housework and meal prep. You’ll need to rest when you’re back home in recovery.
- Wear loose clothes. Loose-fitting, breathable clothes will help you feel more comfortable.
- Avoid intense activity. Strenuous movement can delay the healing process.
- Eat nutritious foods. A healthy diet will help your body recover. Consume lots of lean protein, fruits, and vegetables.
Breast Implants Over The Muscle
Most people need between six and eight weeks to feel better. Possible events and their timing are listed below.
In the immediate aftermath of a surgical procedure
In most cases, patients have general anesthesia during breast augmentation procedures. In other words, you’ll be sound asleep throughout the entire process.
You’ll be taken to a recovery area after the operation is finished. As a group of doctors and nurses carefully watch over you, you will begin to regain consciousness. Expect to feel achy and sleepy.
Muscle tightness or pain could develop where the implants were placed under the pectoralis major. The soreness will lessen as the muscle tissue relaxes and lengthens.
Minutes after the operation
The pain and fatigue will subside after a short while.
After several hours, you can usually go home, but you’ll need a ride.
A bra or elastic band will be placed around each breast by your surgeon before you leave. This will help keep your breasts in place while they heal. Your surgeon will also go over the aftercare instructions for your incisions.
Three to five days
The first three to five days will probably be the worst. Your painkillers will be exactly what your doctor ordered.
There is a possibility of light bleeding from the incisions. Nothing unusual here. However, consult your surgeon if you experience excessive bleeding.
1 week
Around the one week mark, you can probably get by with over-the-counter pain relievers.
After the first week, you should feel much better.
After consulting with your surgeon, you may resume some of your regular activities.
In the coming weeks
The pain and swelling will persist during this time. However, things should start to improve.
You’ll be out of commission for at least three weeks if your job requires significant physical exertion. You also shouldn’t do strenuous exercise like running or lifting heavy objects.
After 2 months,
Depending on how quickly your body mends, you should be on the mend after about 2 months.
Over Muscle Implants Capsular Contracture
Capsular contracture is not limited to breast augmentation surgery and can occur with any medical implant. However, capsular contracture after breast augmentation is especially concerning because it can cause noticeable changes in breast appearance and undo the cosmetic gains the patient worked so hard to achieve. Unless the patient’s implants have ruptured, capsular contracture typically poses no risk to her health (in the case of gel implants, rupture can sometimes lead to infection).
Takeaway
Breast augmentation recovery usually takes 6 to 8 weeks. It might be longer if you develop complications, like an infection or implant leak.
To ensure a smooth recovery, follow your surgeon’s instructions. Wear the recovery bra, and care for your incision sites as directed. Be sure to get plenty of rest and eat a healthy diet. In about 8 weeks, you should be fully recovered and ready to resume normal activities.