Preparation
Breast augmentation is considered major surgery. Before your appointment, you’ll need to have bloodwork done to ensure your eligibility.
Because of the lengthy healing process involved, you’ll also want to schedule time off work and if necessary, arrange for childcare. Your provider will give you a list of supplies to have on hand during your recovery.
You might also plan to have a family member or friend help you immediately following surgery. They can assist with such tasks as making meals or helping you dress, as you should limit movement in your upper body as much as possible during this time.
In the 2 weeks leading up to your surgery, you should avoid:
- Alcohol
- Nicotine
- NSAIDs and other blood-thinning medications
- Herbal supplements
You’ll also need to fast for 12 hours preceding your augmentation or as directed by your surgeon. Be sure to follow all other instructions.
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Aftercare
In the 2–4 days after surgery, you’ll need to rest and take a break from most of your usual activities. Expect to sleep or relax most of the time during these initial days of recovery.
For approximately 1–2 weeks, you’ll experience fatigue, pain, soreness, bruising and tightness at the incision sites; your provider will prescribe pain medication if necessary, and advise which over-the-counter medication to take.
As you recover, you may need to:
- Change the incision site bandages
- Wear a compression bra continuously (except to bathe)
- Care for any drains
- Monitor for signs of infection
- Perform a self-massage
- Attend follow-up appointments
Do not wear underwire bras until cleared by your provider.
About 1 week after surgery, you can return to most of your usual routine, including driving a car and going to work; 3–4 weeks after, you’ll feel almost back to normal. However, you should not resume exercise or perform any strenuous activity until cleared to do so by your provider – usually, 6 weeks post surgery at the latest.
After a breast augmentation, your breasts will immediately appear larger and more symmetrical, however the final results won’t appear for about 3 months. At that point, the swelling will have fully subsided, and your implants will have settled into place.
