Our surgeons commonly get asked about what the recovery is like after a breast augmentation. The breast augmentation recovery period lasts approximately 4 to 6 weeks and your surgeon will recommend that you avoid lifting heavy items or undertaking strenuous exercise as these both could have a detrimental effect on wound healing.
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What affects the recovery time after a breast augmentation?
Every patient is different and the recovery time will vary depending on a number of factors including your overall state of health and whether you are a smoker. It is important to be fully familiar with the pre-and post-operative care instructions as following these will help to optimise breast augmentation recovery time. Generally, younger patients will heal quicker than older patients and the type of breast augmentation can affect the recovery time. Implants placed beneath the muscle generally involve a longer period of recovery as the muscle has to be divided to facilitate access for breast implant placement. Implants placed on top of the muscle result in a quicker recovery.
The post-operative care provided by Centre for Surgery in London has been described as ‘outstanding’ by the CQC and we have a dedicated team of post-operative nurses who are available via phone, email, and face-to-face to assess you and make sure that you are healing as well as possible after a breast augmentation.
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What are the different stages of breast augmentation recovery?
Breast augmentation is a day-case procedure at Centre for Surgery and you will be able to go home the same day once your procedure is complete. It is important to take it easy during the first 5 to 7 days and it is common to experience a mild to moderate degree of discomfort with restricted movements in the arms which can make certain activities of daily living like cooking or cleaning difficult. We would always advise avoiding driving a car or carrying out any type of exercise during the first week after breast augmentation. Wound healing can be impaired when patients smoke or drink excessively and this is why we would also recommend avoidance of tobacco and alcohol products for the first two weeks. Your surgeon will prescribe painkiller medication to help control any mild discomfort you may experience during this time.
After week one, the level of discomfort will gradually subside and you will be able to undertake more activities comfortably. If you are unsure about whether to undertake any activity, speak to one of our post-operative nurses and make sure not to overdo it. Always listen to your body. After six weeks, most patients will have finished breast augmentation recovery but again this depends on a number of factors and our post-operative nursing team will monitor you closely to make sure you are healing well.
What does breast augmentation aftercare involve?
Breast augmentation is one of our most popular procedures at Centre for Surgery and our surgeons and expert nursing team work closely together to ensure you get the very best possible outcome. It’s important to not overdo it during the first two weeks and if you feel any excessive discomfort then it is important to stop any activity which causes pain. If you are experiencing pain out of character with the normal symptoms then you should get in contact with our postoperative nursing team for a clinical assessment. It’s important that wound healing after breast augmentation progresses smoothly to prevent any wound breakdown or wound infection that could lead to breast implant complications.
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How long should I take off work after breast augmentation?
We generally advise that patients take off one week after breast augmentation although this will very much depend on the type of work that is carried out. Patients in more physically demanding occupations may require two weeks off. Most patients can return to light office work after one week.
Is breast augmentation recovery painful?
It is common to experience a mild to moderate degree of pain or discomfort after breast augmentation and your surgeon will address this by prescribing a course of painkillers for you to take after your breast augmentation procedure. Discomfort after breast augmentation will depend on the type of breast augmentation undertaken. Breast implants placed on top of the muscle also known as subglandular breast augmentation involve a much quicker recovery compared with a dual plane breast augmentation where implants are placed beneath the muscle. In either case, it’s important to take it easy and not to take on too much too soon. This will ensure your body heals optimally to reduce the risk of breast augmentation complications occurring.
When can I drive after breast augmentation?
Our surgeons recommend that you avoid driving a car for at least one week after surgery as your breasts will still be relatively tender during this period. The movement in your arms may also be restricted during this time and this could impair your ability to have proper control of your vehicle. If you are in any doubt, speak to one of our post-operative nurses for further advice and support.
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