Recovery Time for Breast Augmentation

Breast augmentation is a type of cosmetic surgery which is performed to serve an aesthetic purpose rather than a useful purpose. Breast augmentation surgery is also called augmentation mammaplasty. The reason to undergo a breast augmentation surgery may vary from woman to woman. The surgery may involve use of breast implants for those who wish to have fuller breasts (for breast enlargement) or it may also be performed to restore breast volume lost after weight reduction or pregnancy (for breast enhancement). Breast augmentation recovery time may therefore vary from woman to woman. Let us take a look at the average recovery time for augmentation mammaplasty.

Breast Augmentation Surgery: Average Recovery Time

Sub glandular and sub muscular are the two main types of breast augmentation procedures. Normally, less time is required for breast augmentation recovery process if a sub glandular breast implant (placement of the implants on top of the muscle which is also referred to as subglandular placement) surgery is performed. Recovery time for breast augmentation under the muscle (placement of the implants under the muscle which is referred to as subpectoral placement) is more than that required for augmentation on top of the muscle because the muscle must stretch to allow for room beneath it. It takes about one month to completely recover from breast augmentation surgery with breast implants above the muscle. It generally takes four months to recover from breast implantation surgery with breast implants below the muscle. Breast augmentation recovery time also depends on various factors like age, health and original body shape of the woman.

For the first few days after surgery, cold compresses or ice packs are used to relieve pain. Some surgeons ask patients to use ice packs till there is swelling and bruising. During breast augmentation surgery, drain or drains are placed to create way for fluids to flow away from the surgical site. This helps avoid build-up of pressure due to fluids inside the breasts. You need to check and empty the sac attached to the drain tubes. This needs medical attention and so, the follow-up treatment is very important. Drain tubes can cause discomfort and pain. Pain killers are usually prescribed by the doctor. You may feel tired after the surgery. Swelling can be noticed. The gauze dressings are removed from the breasts after a few days and the patient is asked to put on a surgical bra. Stitches are removed after 7-10 days. The breasts are very sensitive for the first several weeks. Therefore, patients need to avoid physical contact with breasts. They can resume strenuous activities and exercises one month after the surgery. The incision scars appear firm and pink for about one and a half month. The scars fade gradually but significantly over the next several months. The scars never disappear completely. Some expert surgeons perform the surgery so skillfully that it is hard to detect the scars except under very close observation.

Surgery performed to lift the breasts is known as mastopexy. It is a type of plastic surgery. Recovery time for breast augmentation and lift will be almost the same as mentioned above. Whatever may be the type of breast augmentation surgery, you should follow the doctor's instructions religiously. Otherwise you may have to face serious consequences. To avoid asymmetry, nerve damage, implant leak, infection, bleeding, displacement, etc. you need to take utmost care. It should be borne in mind that the time required for complete recovery after surgery may increase if the instructions given by the doctor are not followed closely. Recovery actually continues until you feel comfortable with your new breasts. Usually, immediately after breast augmentation surgery, the breasts may look completely different from what is expected. But have patience, wait until the final result. About two months after the surgery, the breasts will finally look as you had expected.