Recovery
All people are different, and such, every patient experiences breast augmentation surgery differently. That being said, certain generalizations are helpful to give you an idea of what to expect after breast enlargement surgery.
Immediately After Breast Enlargement Surgery
After you wake up from surgery, you will be brought to the recovery room, where a nurse will monitor you closely for around one to two hours. You will remain at the surgery center until it’s certain that you are fully awake and have adequate pain control. Because breast augmentation surgery is performed under general anesthesia, you will need someone to drive you home after surgery.
Pain after Breast Augmentation Surgery
Most women experience pain significant enough to require pain medication for 2-5 days after surgery; this is particularly true if the implants are placed under the chest wall muscle. Dr. Jejurikar prescribes both narcotic pain medications and muscle relaxants to help with the pain immediately after surgery. After the first few days, the pain has usually subsided enough to discontinue prescription pain medications. If the implants have been placed above the chest wall muscle, the pain after breast enlargement surgery is usually less. Dr. Jejurikar asks his patients to avoid aspirin or ibuprofen for 2 weeks after surgery, as they can cause bleeding and bruising.
Sleeping With Breast Implants
Sleeping is difficult immediately after breast augmentation. Most patients sleep on their back with their heads elevated to reduce swelling and pain. Once it is comfortable to sleep on your side or abdomen, it is okay to do so.
Activity and Exercise after Breast Enlargement Surgery
Dr. Jejurikar will ask you to walk around as much as tolerated starting the day of surgery. This helps prevent blood clots in the legs and can help restore your sense of well-being. You are not allowed to engage in strenuous activity or exercise for three weeks after surgery, as strenuous activity can sometimes cause serious bleeding or bruising.
Caring for Breast Augmentation Incisions
Keep your incisions dry for 72 hours after surgery. Dr. Jejurikar places multiple internal sutures and steri-strips over the incisions to help them heal faster. Initially, scars may be raised and red. Starting 2-3 weeks after surgery, you will start to apply scar creams to the incision. With time and treatment, the incisions eventually flatten and become paler.
Bruising and Swelling After Breast Augmentation
You may have some bruising and be swollen for several weeks after breast enlargement surgery. In the initial days and weeks right after breast augmentation surgery, your breasts will be firm and will sit high up on your chest. This is normal and nothing to worry about. The implants will soften up and will drop. In some cases, Dr. Jejurikar will have you wear an elastic strap to help push the implants down faster. If you experience sudden swelling in the days after surgery, call Dr. Jejurikar’s office.
Sensation after Breast Enlargement Surgery
You may lose some sensitivity in the nipple or the breast skin. This usually improves within a few weeks. Very rarely, loss of sensation can be permanent. As sensation returns to your nipples and breasts, you may experience sharp pains and itchiness, which are signs of sensory nerve recovery. Many women have erect and hypersensitive nipples after breast augmentation. This usually improves over several weeks; during that time, you may find it helpful to cover the nipples with nursing pads or bandages.
