You have been dreaming about larger, fuller, more appealing-looking breasts for years. Now that you have found board-certified plastic surgeon Loreen Ali, MD in Chelmsford, you feel confident and are ready to proceed. Your list of questions has been answered, but one is still outstanding: what is the recovery time for breast augmentation? Keep reading if you want to know that answer too.
No Two Breast Augmentation Patients Are Alike
No two breasts are alike, no two patients are alike, and no two recoveries from breast augmentation are going to be alike. There are some general timelines that will be helpful.
On average give yourself a full four to six weeks to recover. There are numerous factors that may affect this outcome, but six weeks is a safe bet.
We stress this so you won’t think you’ll be back to lifting weights in a month, or lugging around giant bags of mulch for your garden. You will need to religiously follow the list of instructions provided by Dr. Ali.
Breast Augmentation: First 24 Hours of Recovery
Expect soreness, fatigue, a feeling of tightness in your chest, and swelling and bruising. You may feel your breasts are very sensitive or the opposite. Your doctor may have prescribed some pain meds and muscle relaxers should you need them. If not, over-the-counter medications can work.
Get some rest, but walk around every few hours to circulate your blood. Don’t lift your arms or do any unnecessary activity.
Week 1 After Breast Augmentation Surgery
You will continue to have some discomfort but any pain should be subsiding. No strenuous activities are permitted, and especially don’t lift your arms over your head as this can induce bleeding. Follow the surgeon’s advice with massaging the breast tissue and reducing swelling. Light activities may be allowed.
1 Month After Breast Augmentation Surgery
At this point you should feel no pain or discomfort. Continue to refrain from strenuous activity and no lifting anything heavy. Continue to wear a post surgical bra and front closure bra to aid with healing. Swelling and bruising should be reduced.
6 Weeks After Breast Augmentation Surgery
Full recovery should be on the horizon with your breasts feeling more natural. Light exercise is encouraged.
Let DOCTOR/PRACTICE know how you are feeling and make a post-operative appointment if you don’t already have one scheduled.
Tips to Minimize Bruising After Breast Augmentation Surgery
Minimizing the bruising and swelling will improve healing time.
Two weeks before surgery begin a high protein diet to minimize bruising.
After surgery, taking the following steps can reduce bruising and swelling:
- Wear a compression or sports bra
- Do not lift anything heavy
- Drink plenty of water
- Try to sleep upright for a time
- Do not engage in strenuous activity
Contact New England Plastic Surgery Center at (978) 942-4835 if you are interested in breast augmentation surgery, or request an appointment through our secure online form. Find out if it’s right for you at a consultation at our office in Chelmsford.