A Recovery Guide for Breast Augmentation

In 2013, nearly 300,000 women chose to undergo breast augmentation across the United States. After all, the benefits of breast augmentation are numerous. Breast augmentation often provides patients with a greater sense of self-esteem and helps to boost their self-confidence. If you are considering a breast augmentation procedure, it is important to understand what happens after the surgery is complete. How will you recover? What will be expected of you? How often will you need to follow-up with your plastic surgeon? This recovery guide for breast augmentation will help you along your journey and will provide you with the details of what really happens during the recovery period.

Day 1: Recovery from Breast Augmentation

Immediately after your surgery, you will be taken to a recovery room to wake up from anesthesia. During this time, medical personnel will closely monitor you and your vital signs. Your breasts will be wrapped in gauze dressings, elastic bandages, and a support bra to help reduce inflammation and swelling.

In a few hours you will be allowed to go home, provided your vital signs are stable. You will be given specific instructions on how to care for your breasts, as well as which medications to take to help with pain, assist healing, and reduce the risk of infection. You will also receive a follow-up appointment time to meet with your plastic surgeon.

Before you leave, your medical team will also review how to notice for signs of infection and complications. If you notice any signs of infection, complications, or if your pain becomes severe, it is important to contact your plastic surgeon immediately. Signs of breast augmentation infection or complications include, but are not limited to:

• Bleeding
• Fever
• Warmth
• Redness of breast
• Extreme pain or increased tenderness
• Oozing around incision site

Day 3: Recovery from Breast Augmentation

For the next several days, breast augmentation patients are asked to reduce their activity. 24-48 hours after your surgery, your plastic surgeon will need to see you for a follow up appointment. He or she will evaluate your breasts, the healing process, and look for any signs of infection or complications.

Week 2: Recovery from Breast Augmentation

For the first two weeks, breast augmentation patients are asked to wear a support bra around the clock. They should also be cleaning their incision sites regularly and applying ointment as directed by their surgeon. By the end of the second week, most breast augmentation patients are ready to remove the support bra and resume their regular activities. Be sure to get your plastic surgeon's approval before resuming exercise or activity.

3 Years: Recovery from Breast Augmentation

All women are encouraged to continue to get routine mammograms and to follow up with their plastic surgeons if they experience any complications or issues with their implants. If you received silicone gel-filled breast implants, however, you may have one more step to complete. MRI screening for silent rupture is recommended by the FDA 3 years after you first receive your breast implants. You should then expect to receive MRI screenings for silent rupture every 2 years afterwards.

Contact Pasadena Breast Augmentation Surgeons

If you are considering breast augmentation, it is important to choose a cosmetic surgeon carefully. There is a reason so many Pasadena women choose Dr. Kevin Ruhge to perform their breast augmentation surgery. His personalized approach to plastic surgery means that his clients can contact him 24/7 after a surgical procedure. If you would like to learn more about breast augmentation or any cosmetic surgery procedure, we invite you to meet with Dr. Ruhge for a private consultation at our office in Pasadena by calling 626.397.9095, or by scheduling an appointment online.