Breast Augmentation Recovery: Week-By-Week Guide
If you’ve just had breast augmentation surgery, or you’re currently considering it, one of your biggest concerns will be the recovery process.
As a board-certified surgeon, I’ve witnessed the recovery of hundreds of patients in my career. Although it differs slightly from person to person, with factors such as age, health, and aftercare playing a key role, breast augmentation recovery is fairly simple – initially consisting of about four different stages spanning six weeks, followed by a longer period of final adjustments.
Leaning on my experiences, I’ve created a breast augmentation recovery timeline – breaking it down week by week so you know what to expect at every stage. I hope you’ll find it useful to prepare for the journey ahead and to ease your mind as you embark on this transformative process.
Breast Augmentation Recovery Timeline
Week 1: Immediate Post-Operative Care
The first week after breast surgery is critical, and you’ll need to take the week off work (at least).
For the first day or two, you’ll likely feel groggy from the anesthesia. At the same time, you’ll experience soreness and swelling around the surgery area. It is quite common to experience moderate discomfort after the procedure. Some women will generally feel pressure or some sort of firm strain across their chest.
You will be given a prescription for painkillers to help manage the discomfort, so make certain that you have these medications at hand and near your bed for easy accessibility. You may also be given a compression bra to support the breasts.
Rest is your top priority. Although this may seem obvious, not everyone takes the time to do it. Make sure that in the first few days after surgery, you have a comfortable bed to rest on, a quiet home, and (ideally) someone to assist you. Having some books, magazines or Netflix will help pass the time, and make it more enjoyable.
Rest and recuperation: Focus on resting. Get plenty of sleep, water, and good food to aid the body’s healing process.
Pain management: Follow your surgeon’s advice for pain medication.
Mobility: Your movement will be limited. Avoid any strenuous activities or lifting.
Week 2: Early Recovery Phase
In the second week post-surgery, you will notice a gradual reduction in pain and discomfort. The surgical site will still be swollen and bruising will form, but it will start to improve as the days pass.
You may be able to return to work but you’ll need to be careful with the activities you perform.
A follow-up appointment will be scheduled either at the very end of week one or sometime in week two. In the appointment, your surgeon will remove any sutures, check on healing progress and discuss returning to normal activities.
Light activity: You can usually resume light activities but continue to avoid heavy lifting and vigorous exercise.
Follow-up appointment: Attend your follow-up appointment to discuss progress with your surgeon.
Weeks 3-4: Mid Recovery Phase
In weeks 3-4, you’ll start feeling more like yourself.
The majority of swelling will subside and you can return to normal activities, although it’s still best to avoid anything too strenuous or high-impact until the end of week four.
Support Garments: Continue wearing any compression garments as advised by your surgeon.
Exercise: Gentle walks are beneficial, but avoid any rigorous activities.
Weeks 5-6: Later Recovery Phase
After the first six weeks, most patients will return to all normal activities, including more strenuous exercise. However, it’s wise to still be cautious with high-impact sports and exercise.
It’s unlikely you’ll still need the compression bra after this point, but it can depend on your circumstances. Even so, it’s worth continuing to wear bras that offer full support and are easy to put on and remove. Sports bras are generally a good choice, especially if they clip at the front.
At this stage, you might start to notice results, but patience is key. The early recovery phases are typically about pain management and gradually returning to work and exercise. While that stage of the breast augmentation recovery process is behind you, it will still take a while for the skin and muscles around the surgical site to adjust.
Shape and contour: The implants begin the settling process, and you’ll start to see the first signs of long-term results.
Exercise: You will return to normal activity.
What Happens Next?
Six weeks after breast augmentation surgery, you’ll usually feel fine and back at your best. The bulk of the recovery from your operation is over. However, that doesn’t mean the process is finished.
In fact, over the following months, you will gradually notice the final adjustments as the chest and shoulder muscles, and skin around the surgical site, relax and adjust to the new shape.
The implants will continue to settle and soften, looking more natural by the month. Meanwhile, scarring will mature and begin to fade (to varying degrees for each person). Most patients notice the final results by the six-month mark, although it can take up to a year.
If you have any concerns or complications as you progress, get in touch with your surgeon to organise a check-up.
What About Aftercare?
Following an aftercare plan at home can help with the breast implant recovery process. Here are some considerations for aftercare that you may find useful.
Pain Management
Medications: Follow your surgeon’s prescription for pain relief. Over-the-counter medications may also be recommended.
Observation: Keep track of your pain levels and any changes in your condition.
Wound Care
Incision Site: Keep the incision area clean and dry. Follow your surgeon’s instructions for wound care.
Monitoring: Watch for signs of infection, such as increased redness, swelling, itching or burning sensation, or unusual discharge.
Massaging
Surgeon’s Approval: Always wait for your surgeon’s green light before starting any massage techniques. This is typically a few days to a week post-surgery.
Consistency: Once you start, consistent massaging is crucial for the best results. Your surgeon will advise on duration, technique and frequency – it’s usually recommended for a few minutes, several times a day, with a firm but not painful level of pressure.
Activity and Rest
Rest: Give your body ample time to heal, especially in the first few days post-surgery.
Gradual Activity: Slowly increase your activity level based on your surgeon’s advice. Avoid strenuous activities, upper body exercises, and heavy lifting for the recommended period.
Nutrition and Hydration
Healthy Diet: Eat a balanced diet rich in vitamins and proteins to aid in healing.
Stay Hydrated: Drink plenty of water to help your body recover.
Compression Garments
Consistent Use: Wear your compression garment as advised to reduce swelling and support your new contours.
Care and Maintenance: Keep your compression garment clean and in good condition.
Follow-Up Appointments
Regular Check-ins: Attend all post-operative appointments for your surgeon to monitor your healing and progress.
Address Concerns: Use these appointments to discuss any questions or concerns you may have.
Long-Term Care
Breast Exams: Continue regular breast self-exams and mammograms.
Observation: Keep an eye on the appearance and feel of your breasts, and report any significant changes to your surgeon. Keep in mind that the average lifespan of breast implants is about ten years.
Emotional Well-being
Support System: Lean on friends, family, or support groups for emotional support.
Patience: Understand that recovery is a process, and it’s normal to have mixed emotions as you adjust to your new body image.
Summary
So there you have it, everything you need to know about breast augmentation recovery – from a week-by-week breakdown of the initial process to the long-term adjustments and final results, with some considerations for aftercare that will help you along the way.
If you have any questions about surgery, or you’d like to discuss a procedure with an experienced surgeon, then get in touch to organise a free breast augmentation consultation.
Dive Deeper
- How to choose the right breast implant type
- How to choose the right breast implant size
- How to find the best plastic surgeon for your breast augmentation
- How much is breast augmentation in Maryland?
- Before and after breast augmentation – examples from past patients
- Learn more about our breast augmentation surgery services