Breast augmentation is an outpatient procedure, and most patients go home after a few hours in recovery. The exception is reconstructive breast augmentation. Women who have breast reconstruction may need to stay in the hospital overnight or for a few days. You may be able to walk later in the day after your surgery, or your surgeon may want you to rest for the first 24 hours. After a few days, you will be allowed to leave your home and walk around more. You’ll still need to take it easy because the incisions are not healed yet.
The surgeon may use dissolvable sutures, or you may need to return to the surgeon’s office 10 to 14 days after the procedure to have sutures removed. You may also have drainage tubes that need to be removed. You may need to wear a compression garment or sports bra for a period of time until the tissues heal. This helps to minimize swelling and helps hold the implants in place. Following the aftercare instructions from the surgeon ensures that the results of procedure are as expected.
You can expect discomfort, swelling, and bruising for a few weeks after the surgery. Pain may be more noticeable for the first seven days. Avoid exercise for at least two to four weeks, and you’ll need to be cleared by your surgeon before increasing your activity level. You may be able to return to work after two weeks.
Expect breast tenderness and sensitivity with any movement or physical contact with your breasts. If you notice any warmth or redness in your breast, or if you develop a fever, contact your surgeon in case you have an infection.
Follow-up appointments are scheduled with your surgeon to assess your healing and recovery. During the appointments, your surgeon provides instructions on your activity level, whether you can increase activity or need to continue resting.
When the incisions first heal, the scars will be pink in color. Over the next 12 months, scar color changes to be slightly darker than your natural skin tone.