Breast augmentation recovery: the essencial guide

Breast augmentation recovery: everything you need to know

The recovery from breast augmentation was, a few years ago, lengthy and time-consuming. Now it is quick, painless, and usually goes without a hitch.

In fact, a boob job is currently a simple and peaceful cosmetic surgery. A smooth post-operative period is essential for a good result. The good news is that having a comfortable post-operative period is very much up to the patient if they follow all the doctor's instructions to the letter.

At our clinic, we have been practicing rapid recovery breast augmentation, or 24-hour recovery, since 2012, in which the surgery takes just 45 minutes, and the patient is discharged on the same day.

How long does it take to recover from an augmentation mammoplasty?

As mentioned above, it is essential to comply with all medical guidelines to return to daily activities within the expected time.

Although it is common to feel discomfort after a breast augmentation, this sensation is relieved by taking painkillers and usually stops within a few days.

The recovery period needed to return to work or other daily activities is approximately 3 to 7 days. If the job requires physical effort, such as lifting weights, the average time to return to work is 15 days.

As for the woman's breast sensitivity, this tends to recover as post-operative edema decreases.

Fast Recovery Breast Augmentation

Fast recovery breast augmentation, or 24H recovery, has been carried out at our clinic since 2012. It uses techniques that make the surgery safer, with a very low complication rate, which also reduces recovery time.

This method has been used in all our breast augmentation surgeries and in other breast surgeries. To guarantee the success of fast recovery breast augmentation, it is necessary to plan all the phases: consultation, surgery, and post-surgery.

Main features of fast recovery breast augmentation

The surgery is performed on an outpatient basis, lasting approximately 45 minutes, with local anesthesia and sedation.
The patient is discharged on the same day, usually 4 to 6 hours after surgery, after recovering under the supervision of the medical team.
Surgical procedures are carried out as atraumatically as possible, using instruments specially designed for this technique.
Haemostasis, a set of techniques aimed at reducing bleeding, is a fundamental step in the success of the surgery, and, whenever necessary, drugs are used to reduce the risk of bleeding.
Local blockade with a long-lasting anaesthetic before the end of surgery to reduce pain in the immediate post-op period.
Taking medication to prevent nausea, vomiting, pain, and infections in the post-operative period.
Drains are rarely used and, if necessary, never for longer than 24 hours.
There are no stitches to remove, and the sutures are resorbable.
Surgical glue is used instead of dressings, allowing you to shower the day after surgery.

How long does it take for swelling to disappear after a boob job?

Swelling after breast implants is completely normal. This is because the body sees the surgery as an aggression, triggering an inflammatory process to combat it.

This must, however, be controlled with medication, particularly anti-inflammatories, and other care indicated by the surgeon.
As each body reacts differently, swelling may be more evident in some patients than in others. It may also happen that one breast is more swollen than the other.

In general, it takes around three weeks for the swelling to begin to subside. This period is also influenced by the care taken by the patient and even by the time of year when the breast augmentation was performed. In summer, post-surgical swelling can be more evident due to the high temperatures.

The definitive result of plastic surgery can be seen in around 6 months.

Essential care to improve recovery

After undergoing a breast augmentation, there are precautions that must be strictly followed to achieve a good result and avoid complications.

Após colocar implantes há cuidados que devem ser respeitados rigorosamente para alcançar um bom resultado e evitar complicações.

Healthy eating

Although there are no dietary restrictions, food is the basis of everything. Therefore, avoiding too much salt, fat and sugar will prevent increased fluid retention.

Rest

Avoiding heavy exertion - no carrying or lifting weights over 5kg - and demanding physical activity for 4 weeks is essential.

During the 60 days following surgery, you should sleep on your stomach to avoid possible complications, such as the prosthesis moving or bleeding.

More intense physical activity, such as running or swimming, should only take place after approximately 45 days.
If you want to do weight training, you should gradually increase the load.

Post-surgical bras

There are bras suitable for those who have just had breast augmentation surgery and they should be worn as recommended by the doctor immediately after the breast augmentation, for at least 30 days. The post-surgical bra reduces post-surgical pain, controls edema, and helps keep the breasts/prostheses in the correct position.

Medication

It is very important to take medication as prescribed by the surgeon and to keep to the timetable.

Lymphatic drainage

Lymphatic drainage is essential in the postoperative period of breast augmentation surgery. They improve blood circulation, combat the accumulation of fluids help them drain away, facilitate healing, and combat pain.

Moisturizing the skin

It is essential to moisturize the skin of the breast with specific products after surgery to avoid the development of stretch marks.
The scar should also be moisturized and cleaned. If there is a possibility of a keloid, a silicone cream should be applied

Sun exposure

After having breast implants, you should avoid intense sun exposure in the first few weeks, as the heat can make swelling worse and increase recovery time.

Important note:

In case this article presents before and after photos please consider them merely demonstrative and may not serve as a reference for your particular case. These images are only to show possible results for one or several surgical procedures. The images we use are of patients who have consented to their use. Any images do not represent a guarantee of results.

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Breast augmentation recovery: the essencial guide

Sobre a Médica Especialista
Dr. Luísa Magalhães Ramos / Plastic Surgery

PORTUGUESE MEDICAL ASSOCIATION, Nr. 42810

Graduated by the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Porto, she specialized in plastic, reconstructive and aesthetic surgery, at Hospital de São José, in Lisbon.

Throughout her training, she subspecialized in aesthetic plastic surgery, having worked in world-renowned clinics.

Currently, she is mainly dedicated to face and breast aesthetic plastic surgery and to intimate female surgery.