Breast augmentation is a cosmetic procedure to enhance breast size and shape. Typically, this is through breast implants. But there are several options when it comes to breast augmentation. To achieve the best results, you need to find the best treatment for you. Think about the goals you’re trying to get, and always do your research. Here are our breast augmentation recovery tips to help you achieve excellent results.
Types of Breast Augmentation: Breast Implants vs Breast Fat Transfer
When you think of breast augmentation, you may quickly think of implants. But you can take a few different routes depending on what you want and how you want to get there. With several choices to make, it’s important to have as much information as possible and consult with an experienced plastic surgeon.
Let’s start with breast implants. Silicone breast implants are filled with silicone gel. The implants feel much more like a natural breast. Implants are placed inside the breast to reconstruct, increase size, and enhance shape.
Another type of breast augmentation uses fat transfer techniques to improve the shape and enhance size. During fat transfer breast augmentation surgery, unwanted fat is removed from one part of the body and moved to the breasts. This is ideal for someone looking to boost the shape and achieve a natural-looking size increase.
You also have a breast lift, also known as mastopexy. During this type of surgery, your surgeon will reposition the nipple higher on the chest wall, remove any excess skin and tighten the tissue surrounding the breast. You can also combine breast implants with fat transfer, also known as a hybrid breast augmentation. Breast augmentation is an individual process, and what works for one person may not for another.
Breast Augmentation Recovery Week by Week
In this section, we will talk about your breast augmentation recovery week by week for breast implants. Depending on your type of surgery, your recovery can look a little different, but overall you’re looking at between 6-8 weeks to recover. Here’s a breakdown of the breast augmentation recovery timeline:
- Hours after surgery – you will still feel sleepy from the surgery and sore. You will need someone to drive you home from the procedure and stay with you for a couple of days.
- 3-5 days – at this point you will likely experience the most discomfort. Your doctor will advise you on how to manage your pain.
- 1 week – you can begin to return to light activities and the discomfort should be manageable with over-the-counter painkillers.
- 2-3 weeks – continue to resume normal activities while taking it easy.
- 4-6 weeks – begin to see the final result and slowly resume your exercise routine after being cleared by your doctor.
- After several months – you should see the final result and your recovery will be behind you. You can usually start doing upper body exercise at about 3 months, but this is dependent on your healing.
7 Breast Augmentation Recovery Tips for Fantastic Results
1. Find a Brilliant Plastic Surgeon
Do your research and find someone who is accredited, qualified, and experienced. Choose a reputable surgeon who is trustworthy. To get the best results, you need a surgeon who has a deep understanding of breast augmentation. In the video below, Dr Riaz Agha talks you through the process of researching your plastic surgeon and how to find a good plastic surgeon.
2. Quit Smoking
There are several reasons to stop smoking, but it’s important to know that smoking and surgery are a bad combination. Nicotine makes blood vessels constrict during surgery, and this can put you at a greater risk of certain complications. Smoking also causes premature ageing and affects skin texture.
3. Choose the Right Procedure for Your Body
You may think that implants are your only option, but you can also consider a breast lift or breast augmentation fat transfer. By choosing the right procedure for your body and the results you want, you will be happier with the final look.
4. Tell Your Plastic Surgeon Everything
Now is not the time to keep anything back. Make sure to tell your plastic surgeon everything so that they can prepare an individual recovery plan and help you prepare for the surgery. During your cosmetic surgery consultation, you need to have an open and honest conversation with your doctor. This is because you need to be in good health with realistic expectations before the procedure. The consultation is a two-way conversation, so use it as an opportunity to ask as many questions as you need to feel confident in the procedure and your cosmetic surgeon. We’ve pulled together a guide on how to prepare for your cosmetic surgery consultation to get you started.
5. Sleep on Your Back after Breast Augmentation Surgery
If you’re not a natural back sleeper, it can take a little while to adjust to a new sleeping position. After your surgery, it’s essential to sleep on your back while the swelling reduces. Finding a way to sleep comfortably after cosmetic surgery is crucial to your recovery. While it’s not always easy to find a comfortable position, sleep is part of the recovery process. If you’re not a back sleeper, try sleeping on your back weeks before your surgery so that it doesn’t feel as strange after your breast augmentation surgery.
6. Stay Hydrated Before and After Surgery
As with any surgery, make sure you stay hydrated in the days before your surgery and afterwards. By giving your body the best chance to heal and recover, you will start to feel stronger each day. After your surgery, you will feel sleepy and sore. Staying hydrated helps to remove the anaesthetic from the body and get rid of toxins faster.
7. Wear Your Compression Garment
Whether you get breast implants, fat transfer breast augmentation, or male breast reduction surgery, you will come across compression garments. Although they are not the most attractive piece of clothing you will ever wear, they serve a very specific purpose during your recovery. Your compression bra will help to keep your breasts in place while reducing fluid build-up and swelling, optimising your recovery. It’s crucial that you wear your compression garment for as long as your doctor recommends.
If you’re searching for an expert Harley Street breast surgeon, book a consultation today at the Harley Clinic with Dr Riaz Agha.
