Breast augmentation is performed in our on-site outpatient facility, either under heavy sedation or general anesthesia. You will need someone to drive you home and help you out for a few days after your procedure. Although you will initially need to rest, you should be up and moving around within a day or two and ready to return to light activity, including work, after about 5 days. More vigorous activity and exercise will be limited for at least the first month.
Recovery Timeline for Breast Augmentation
Caring for Your Implants After Surgery
Surgeons and staff of the New York Group for Plastic Surgery are here to support you after breast augmentation. The following instructions and guidelines will help your recovery process:
- Prior to waking from surgery you will be placed in a surgical bra that holds the implants in position. For sub-muscular augmentations, you will have a strap on your bra that lies on the top of your implants. This strap holds the implants in place as the muscle heals. You must wear the bra at all times for the first few weeks after surgery.
- You may shower 48 hours after surgery. When you remove the bra you will have some gauze underneath it. You may remove and discard it. Do not remove the small white bandage strips that lie on top of your incisions.
Protecting Your Results in the First Weeks
- Immediately after showering, replace the gauze if necessary and put the bra back on. You may wash the bra at this time if necessary.
- During the first week, attempt to sleep on your back instead of on your side. We want your implants to stay in perfect position during your healing process.
- It is not uncommon to have a feeling of tightness and pressure on your chest. This feeling will gradually subside as your body adjusts to having the implants in place.
- We want you to avoid straining or any aerobic activity for at least three weeks, to avoid bleeding, bruising and swelling. No bending or lifting. If you need to bend, do so from the knees and go straight down maintaining a vertical line. The doctor will give you clearance to increase your activity according to the progress of your recovery.
How Long Do I Have to Wear the Surgical Bra? When Can I Buy Regular Bras?
You should wear the surgical bra until your surgeon advises that you may switch into a regular bra; this is typically at 2-4 weeks post-op depending on your healing. We advise patients to wait to purchase new bras until 8-12 weeks out from surgery so that the sizing is accurate after swelling has resolved and implants have settled.
If you would like to purchase one or two bras for the time period between wearing your surgical bras and the final fitting, you may do so —but don’t buy too many as your bra size may be less accurate in the beginning.
When Will My Implants Settle?
The implants will settle into the breasts over the course of 12 weeks. You will notice a dramatic difference in the implants by 4 weeks and this continues to improve; they become softer, more mobile, and positioned just behind the nipple areola complex.
Post-Op FAQs
When Can I Begin Exercising?
You may walk at any point, but strenuous exercise where you may raise your blood pressure should not be done for 2 weeks. After that period, you may begin to work up to your normal exercise routine. If your implants were placed sub-muscularly, we advise that you avoid activities that directly involve the pectoralis muscle for 12 weeks (examples: push ups, chest press, chest flies, yoga positions where your body weight is supported by the upper arms).
My Nipples or Scars Feel Numb or Hypersensitive, is This Normal?
Yes. Sensation changes right after surgery are very common. You may experience numbness or tingling or may be extra sensitive. Either way, the areas will return to baseline sensation within 3-6 months.
When Can I Begin Using Scar Treatment Remedies Like Mederma or Silicone Scar Sheeting?
We recommend that you begin this type of treatment once the scar has fully healed, and this is typically around 2 weeks after surgery. You may purchase Mederma at any pharmacy and silicone scar sheeting is available for purchase at our office or online. Scar treatment remedies are best used for 6-8 weeks after surgery.
When Can I Drive?
You may drive when you are off pain medication and can safely and comfortably maneuver the car; typically this is 10-14 days after surgery.
When Can I Travel?
You may go on long car rides or fly on a plane at 2 weeks after surgery but you need to get up and walk around every 2-3 hours if possible, and be careful not to lift more than 15 lbs.
When Can I Get in a Pool, Submerge in a Bathtub or Go to the Beach?
You may be submerged in water at 3 weeks post-op as long as you don’t have any open wounds. It’s best to wait for 1 month before going in hot tubs because they typically harbor more bacteria than pools.
Why Choose Dr. Jordan M.S. Jacobs?
Scheduling Your Consultation
Request your consultation and begin your journey to confidence. More than anything, you want a surgeon who connects with you on a personal and professional level, providing quality care to help you look and feel your very best. At the New York Group for Plastic Surgery, our patients are fortunate to enjoy the care of highly-qualified plastic surgeons with over 35 years experience. If you have additional follow-up questions or are looking into breast augmentation for the first time, give us a call today.
