Breast Augmentation Recovery

When it comes to breast enhancement surgery, there are differing opinions on the steps involved in the recovery process. We have been recommending the following model for the last decade with great patient results. First is understanding what to do the day of surgery. A standard breast augmentation takes less than an hour. You will wake up and be wrapped in an Ace wrap and be in the recovery room with ice on your chest for approximately an hour. When you go home, it's important that you have a light meal, walk around every few hours, and then get some rest. We suggest that you get a recliner set up so that you can sleep in it, particularly for the first week. It is really important that you keep your arms at your side and that you have supervision with another adult for at least a couple of days. Though your surgery has been crafted and performed with a precision to withstand more moderate activity, we do not recommend that patients go out the same night to dinner or shopping from post-operative days one to three. All patients who've had a breast augmentation will be seen by me the day after surgery and sometimes by the third day after surgery. All your dressing changes will occur in our office, and you will be fitted into a bra that we provide. If your incisions and your dressings looked good, you will be allowed to shower the second morning after surgery, but please, as always, listen to our instructions as they may change depending on your individual case. By the third to fourth day you should be going out more often, and many people can be back at a desk job if they do not require any heavy lifting. And if you are off narcotics, patient may even be able to drive several days after surgery. By the end of the second week, most women should be walking around the neighborhood, have slowly increased their range of motion, and with our permission may move to a sports bra if Dr. Rumalla feels like you are ready. Massage is only added if needed and no massage is to be added unless specifically told by Dr. Rumalla. From week two to week six, most women have resumed moderate exercise including light jogging and light weight lifting, and patients are often given more freedom in the bras they choose to wear. And most patients can be back in a pool four to six weeks after surgery.