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Results
By Mayo Clinic staffYou'll be sore the first few days after breast augmentation surgery, but your surgeon can prescribe medication to help relieve your pain. If you don't have a physically demanding job, you may be able to return to work within a few days. Getting back to normal activities may take longer — about two to three weeks — as your breasts will be sensitive to physical contact or jarring movements. Follow your doctor's instructions for how long you should wait before engaging in your regular activities.
You'll have stitches (sutures) in place after surgery. Often, absorbable sutures are used, so you won't need to have them removed. Some women also have drainage tubes in place after surgery, although not many women require them. If you have drainage tubes, they'll probably be removed a few days after your surgery. Your doctor may recommend using a compression bandage or sports bra for extra support and positioning of the breast implants during this time.
You may notice a burning sensation in your nipples for a few weeks, but that usually goes away as you heal. Expect some pain, swelling, tenderness and bruising as you heal. If you notice warmth and redness in your breast or you run a fever, you might have an infection. Contact your surgeon as soon as possible.
After surgery, your scars may initially appear firm and pink. The scars fade gradually over time, but they won't go away completely. The darker your skin, the more noticeable your scars may be.
- Top five surgical cosmetic procedures in 2007. American Society of Plastic Surgeons. http://www.plasticsurgery.org/media/statistics/index.cfm. Accessed Dec. 2, 2008.
- Breast augmentation. American Society of Plastic Surgeons. http://www.plasticsurgery.org/patients_consumers/procedures/AugmentationMammoplasty.cfm. Accessed Dec.2, 2008.
- Breast augmentation. The American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery. http://www.surgery.org/public/procedures/breast_augmentation. Accessed Dec. 2, 2008.
- FDA breast implant consumer handbook - 2004. U.S. Food and Drug Administration Center for Devices and Radiological Health. http://www.fda.gov/cdrh/breastimplants/indexbip.html. Accessed Dec. 2, 2008.
- Breast implant questions and answers (2006). U.S. Food and Drug Administration Center for Devices and Radiological Health. http://www.fda.gov/cdrh/breastimplants/qa2006.html. Accessed Dec. 2, 2008.
- Breast augmentation: Your surgical experience. The American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery. http://www.surgery.org/public/procedure/breast_augmentation/3. Accessed Dec. 2, 2008.
- Breast augmentation: What should I expect during the recovery process? The American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery. http://www.surgery.org/public/procedure/breast_augmentation/6. Accessed Dec. 2, 2008.
