Looking forward to the results of a breast augmentation is very exciting for patients, but it is also important to be prepared for the recovery period after surgery. Board certified surgeons like Dr. Edward Kole of he Kole Plastic Surgery Center Center take the time to inform their patients about what to expect during recovery, to ensure patients heal properly. To help patients understand what they will be experiencing after a breast enhancement surgery, Dr. Kole has compiled this list of facts that are important for all patients to know.
- Pain: Breast augmentation surgery is performed under general anesthesia, so patients should expect to be groggy and somewhat tired for 1-2 days after surgery. During that time, the pain in the chest area will most likely be experienced. This pain will diminish from day to day. Pain medication is prescribed to manage the pain after the procedure, as pain could continue for up to one week in the breast and ribcage area after surgery as a result of the skin and muscles adjusting to the implants and the healing of the incisions. The larger the implants that are used, leads to more stretching of the tissues and therefore more pain. Additionally, scars can be expected to itch as they heal.
- Scarring: Although minimal, patients should expect scarring to occur over the incisions made to insert the breast implants. Depending on which type of implant a patient elects to have inserted, the scar will be between ¾ of an inch to three inches long, and can be under the breast fold, bellybutton, armpit, or around the areola (pigmented part around the nipple) depending on how the patient and surgeon agreed on inserting the implant. Dr. Kole prefers to insert implants under the crease of the natural breast or around the areola, which hides any scarring that occurs.
- Swelling, Bruising and Spasm: Swelling and bruising
will occur after breast enhancement surgery, so Dr. Kole requires patients to wear compression garments to support the new implants as they heal as well as to help reduce swelling. Spasm occurs in all patients because when the implants are placed under the muscle while under anesthesia and then when the patient awakes, the muscle of the chest contracts and goes into spasm. This forces the implants that were in the bottom of the surgical pocket to a higher position, so it appears that the patient is wearing a pushup bra while they are topless. It is important to remember that spasm may obscure the results of breast augmentation, but rest assured that as swelling and spasm reduces, the implant will fall into the bottom of the surgically created pocket and the results will begin to improve with a more natural look and feel of the breast. - Recovery Time Frame: The normal amount of time taken off of regular activities is one to two weeks after breast augmentation surgery. After about 4-5 days, patients can return to work, although they should wait up to 4 weeks before resuming strenuous physical activities like going to the gym or competitive sports.
Always talk with your surgeon during your consultation about what to expect during recovery from your breast augmentation procedure. To contact Dr. Kole, call 215-315-7655 to discuss details of the procedure and find out more about the recovery process and to schedule your private complimentary consultation.
