What Is it Like to Recover from Breast Augmentation?

For the past several years, breast augmentation has been performed over 300,000 times annually. This is an indication that the outpatient procedure achieves outstanding results that increase women’s sense of satisfaction with their bodies. As strong of a track record as breast augmentation has, it is a big decision to undergo plastic surgery. One of the aspects of surgery that is the focal point of most questions is recovery. Patients want to know how painful recovery is, how limited they will be, and when they can get back to their normal activities. Here, we provide a general timeline of breast augmentation recovery.

Week One

The first 24 to 48 hours after breast augmentation include noticeable soreness. This is managed with prescription pain medication. Patients are usually tired and groggy from their anesthesia and their pain pills. Because of this, someone should be present to help with meals, getting to the bathroom, and other needs. Patients should make sure they drink plenty of water and clear fluids to help process anesthesia and medication. Hydration also assists with tissue healing.

Within 3 to 4 days of breast augmentation, comfort improves significantly. Patients can walk around the house and may be able to take short walks outside. By the end of the first week of recovery, patients are typically off prescription medication and feeling at least a little more energetic. With over-the-counter medication and proper support garments, light activities like cooking may be resumed. It’s still too early for exercise at this point.

Weeks 2-3

At this stage of recovery, it may be possible to return to work, provided that no lifting or rigorous activity is involved. Some patients are completely off of all pain medications, including over-the-counter medications, after 10 to 14 days of rest and recovery. Walking can increase to longer distances now but other types of exercise are still restricted.

Weeks 4-6

Now is the time when a surgical follow-up may be done to check progress and assess the return to more strenuous activities. By week 4 of recovery, it may be possible to do light cardio activity such as riding a bike. Lower-body strength exercise may be approved by Dr. Lombardo, but upper body exercises are typically not cleared until 6 weeks post-op.

Breast augmentation is a popular procedure that gets amazing results with a relatively short recovery period. Are you ready to learn more? Schedule your consultation with Dr. Lombardo at (760) 610-8990.