Recovery After Breast Implant Surgery — How Long The Healing Takes?

Contents hide

1 Recovery After Breast Implant Surgery: What To Expect During Healing

2 Breast Augmentation Recovery Timeline: Healing After Breast Implants

2.1 Immediately After Breast Implant Surgery

2.2 The First Few Hours After Breast Implant Surgery

2.3 Breast Augmentation Recovery: Three To Five Days Later

2.4 One Week Into Breast Augmentation Recovery

2.5 Three To Four Weeks After Breast Implants

2.6 Four To Six Weeks After Breast Implant Surgery

2.7 Two Months After Breast Implant Surgery

3 Nutrition And Hydration After Breast Implant Surgery

3.1 References

Having breast augmentation surgery is a major procedure, and recovering quickly from the procedure requires you to take good care of your body before and after. Your breast augmentation recovery timeline will depend on your general state of health, the size of your breast implants, and the rate at which your body heals. In this article, we will help you to understand recovery after breast implant surgery and what you can expect at each milestone.

Recovery After Breast Implant Surgery: What To Expect During Healing

On average, most women can expect breast augmentation recovery to take between six and eight weeks. Your healing timeline does depend on your state of health before and after the procedure, as well as how diligently you follow your cosmetic surgeon’s post-operative recovery guidelines.

Breast Augmentation Recovery Timeline: Healing After Breast Implants

Immediately After Breast Implant Surgery

Breast implant surgery is usually carried out under local anaesthetic, which means you will be asleep during the procedure. After your surgery is complete, you will be taken to a recovery room, where you will be woken up. You can expect to feel groggy and tender. If your breast implants were placed under your pectoralis muscle, you will probably feel sore and tight, but this should subside as the muscle stretches.

The First Few Hours After Breast Implant Surgery

You will probably be monitored closely for a few hours to make sure there are no complications related to the anaesthesia. Once you are discharged, you will need someone to drive you home. Your breasts will be wrapped up in bandages or a recovery bra, and you will receive instructions for your breast augmentation recovery, including how to care for the surgical sites.

Breast Augmentation Recovery: Three To Five Days Later

The first few days after your breast implants have been placed will be most uncomfortable. Make sure you take any prescribed medication on schedule to manage your discomfort. During this time, you may still have bleeding at the surgical sites. Be sure to follow your cosmetic surgeon’s instructions, and if you have any concerns or the bleeding gets worse, contact your surgeon.

You should avoid lifting your arms above your head during the first week. It is a good idea to invest in a few shirts that have buttons down the front to make getting dressed more comfortable.
Using cold compresses during the first week can help to alleviate the swelling.
Try to walk a little each day, increasing the distance incrementally as you feel stronger. Walking can help to prevent pneumonia and constipation.
Showering is preferred over bathing during the recovery period. It is advisable to wait for at least four weeks before you soak in a tub. It is important to keep your wounds dry and clean.

One Week Into Breast Augmentation Recovery

By the end of the first week, it is usually possible to manage pain and discomfort with over-the-counter pain medications. You should feel a lot better by this milestone. At this point, your surgeon is likely to give you permission to resume your day-to-day activities, but you must still avoid anything too strenuous and avoid lifting your arms above your head.

In the next few weeks after your procedure, you may still experience minor discomfort and some swelling, but these side effects should improve gradually as the days go by. Heavy lifting and intense physical activities should still be avoided at this point.

Two to three weeks after your breast implants, you may feel ready to return to work unless your job is physically demanding. If this is the case, you must get your cosmetic surgeon’s approval.

Three To Four Weeks After Breast Implants

By this point of recovery, most women will be able to resume light exercise with their surgeon’s permission. You may still have a little bruising and swelling. You should still wear your surgical bra, even if you are feeling a lot better.

Four To Six Weeks After Breast Implant Surgery

During the four-week mark, you can expect to see your cosmetic surgeon again to evaluate your healing progress. By this point, your breasts should feel and look natural.

Two Months After Breast Implant Surgery

Two months after your breast implants have been placed, you are getting closer o making a full recovery. You should still get your surgeon’s approval before you resume any vigorous activity.

Nutrition And Hydration After Breast Implant Surgery

Try to eat a wholesome and nutrient-rich diet that contains lots of fibre. Vitamins and minerals can help to speed up your recovery after breast implant surgery and avoid constipation after surgery, which is common. Drink plenty of water but try to avoid alcohol and caffeine drinks as these cause fluid retention and can make the swelling worse.

Prepare your home before breast implant surgery, making sure you are stocked up on fresh, healthy foods. If possible, ask someone to assist you with meal preparation so you can dedicate the first week to resting and recovery.

For advice on recovery after breast implant surgery or for help with preparing before your procedure, please contact us for a confidential appointment: (02) 8599 7161.