Recovery after Breast Augmentation Surgery

Your surgeon will consult with you on the best way to recover from your breast enlargement surgery. Getting enough rest and limiting movement is important, and activities involving bending, lifting or straining should be steered clear of.

Patients can normally return to work after about a week unless heavy lifting or other type of strenuous activity is performed.

You should expect some pain, discomfort and fatigue for a few days after augmentation surgery, and having someone to care for you during this time is very beneficial.  It will take a few weeks for the swelling and sensitivity in the breast area to diminish, so unnecessary physical contact with the breasts should be avoided. Strenuous exercise should only be resumed about a month after breast implant surgery.

There will be some scarring following augmentation surgery, and although they will heal and fade over time, they will never completely disappear.

You should inspect your breast augmentation incision daily for signs of infection, which include general malaise and a fever.  The incision may be swollen, hot or red, with unusual fluid drainage, and your pain levels may increase.  Your doctor should be consulted immediately should you experience any of these symptoms after breast implant surgery.

All breast implant recipients should know that implants can break, or develop a rupture.  When this happens the contents of the implant, either silicone or saline, begin to escape into the body. Signs that you may have a silicone or saline implant rupture include disproportionate breast size, a breast becoming smaller, or it appears as if the breast has collapsed.