I consider recovery after breast augmentation surgery at my Honolulu practice to be a team experience. My breast augmentation patients and I work together to ensure the recuperation is as comfortable and brief as possible. Because each patient is unique, the exact nature of recovery differs from case to case.

We’re all a little different.

A patient’s age, body type, and cosmetic goals influence a surgeon’s approach to breast augmentation, including the incision location and whether implants are placed in front of or behind the pectoral muscles. Those decisions, in turn, impact what a patient can expect during recovery. For example, recovery following surgery in which implants are placed behind the muscle is usually a bit longer.

That said, despite our differences, some general experiences are common for most women after breast augmentation. Some swelling and soreness of the breasts are typical in the first 3 to 5 days after surgery before the symptoms begin subsiding. Patients used to an active lifestyle will have to limit strenuous exercise for about 4 weeks.

Here’s what you can do to enhance your recovery:

• Keep your post-surgery schedule clear for at least a few days. Take care of errands and shopping before your surgery to limit your activity.
• Make sure you have someone to give you a ride home after surgery.
• Sleep on your back for at least the first few days.
• Plan on wearing certain types of clothes while you’re recovering. For example, wear buttoned shirts instead of pullovers to avoid raising your arms, and talk to your medical team about which bras you can wear.

Knowing what to expect helps patients tolerate recovery much better. Breast augmentation patients, for instance, should expect implants to initially feel hard. They will also take a few weeks or months to settle into a more natural position.

Considering breast augmentation? Request a consultation online, or call Asia Pacific Plastic Surgery at (808) 207-7345 to schedule an appointment.