Home|Blog | Top 7 Tips to Ease Your Breast Augmentation Recovery

Top 7 Tips to Ease Your Breast Augmentation Recovery

October 17, 2022

3 Minute Read:

Recovery from breast implant surgery varies depending on a variety of personal factors as well as the specific procedure(s) done. Some of these variables include one’s health, job (if relevant), surgical procedure, incision types and lengths, primary versus secondary procedure, nutrition, and activity requirements.

Typically, there are no surgery-related activity restrictions by around six to eight weeks after surgery.

Having implants placed under the muscle (submuscular) has many advantages to those placed on top of the muscle (subglandular), although it is often associated with a little more immediate postoperative discomfort. The long-term benefits of this placement, however, generally far outweigh the initial greater discomfort.

The following breast augmentation recovery tips can help reduce discomfort and your chances of experiencing a complication following surgery as well as making your recovery easier:

1. Plan ahead and simplify your routine for the week following surgery.

Prepare your recovery space by ensuring that everything you need is easily accessible, available, and doesn’t require a lot of arm movement or lifting anything heavy.

Unless someone else is preparing your food, you may want to have at least a day or so of meals ready to go.

2. Have help for the first day or two.

Because of the general anesthesia used for your surgery, you should have someone stay with you for the first day after surgery. Enlisting a friend or family member to help you is highly recommended and can make your initial recuperation more peaceful, pleasant, and easier.

3. Don’t shower the night of your surgery.

You may be able to shower 24 to 48 hours post-surgery but don’t get your dressing or breasts wet. Once your dressing is removed, this will be easier to accomplish.

Recommendations vary, so follow the instructions of your plastic surgeon.

4. Avoid drinking and smoking during recovery.

If you smoke, vape, or drink alcohol, you will be instructed to quit weeks before your procedure and must continue abstaining for a few weeks after surgery.

For smoking and vaping, this restriction is from one month prior to surgery until at least one month after surgery. Restrictions for alcohol are from around two weeks prior to two weeks after, provided that you are not taking pain medication or antibiotics.

Partaking in any of these items can interfere with the healing process, increase your risk of serious complications and adversely impact your results.

5. Sleep on your back.

To prevent pressure on your healing breasts, including the incisions, sleep on your back or slightly on your side. The length of this restriction will depend on the specific procedure(s) that you are undergoing, along with other factors. It may be anywhere from around three weeks to eight weeks.

Ask your plastic surgeon for their recommendations.

6. Don’t wear underwire bras for at least four to six weeks after surgery.

Wearing an underwire bra early on can irritate your incisions, be uncomfortable and delay healing. Talk to your surgeon about which bras or compression garments they suggest.

7. Avoid strenuous upper body exercises and heavy lifting.

Do not engage in any heavy lifting or vigorous activities for around four to eight weeks. Examples include sports, aerobics, weight lifting, yoga and swimming.

The Arizona Center for Breast Surgery | Your Phoenix, AZ Cosmetic Breast Surgery Expert

You can always count on The Arizona Center for Breast Surgery in Scottsdale and our well-known, reputable breast specialist Dr. Steven Turkeltaub to provide safe, compassionate, and expert care, as well as a wide range of cosmetic breast surgeries to meet your unique needs.

Choose from the following:

Our Arizona Center for Breast Surgery team is knowledgeable and helpful. Call our Scottsdale office today at (480) 451-3000 with any questions or to schedule your cosmetic breast surgery consultation. We are here to help!

Dr. Turkeltaub specializes in breast enhancement procedures and serves the Phoenix and Scottsdale areas, the rest of Arizona, and elsewhere.

Previous Post Next Post