What is Breast Augmentation?

Breast augmentation, or augmentation mammaplasty, is a surgical procedure designed to enhance the breasts. The procedure typically involves the use of breast implants or fat transfer to increase and improve the size, shape, and fullness of the breasts.

There are numerous reasons why women, single and mothers alike, choose to undergo breast augmentation. The most common intentions that my patients have are the following:

To improve body image and boost confidence

To balance asymmetrical breasts

To restore breast volume and shape

· To fit better in clothing

To restore youthful and perkier breasts

To reconstruct breasts after mastectomy

Learn more about Breast Augmentation procedure — its implant types, incisions, placement and sizes.

But regardless of the motivations of my patients, the decision to have breast augmentation ultimately leads to the betterment of not only the appearance of their breasts but their overall figure as well.

Breast Augmentation Recovery: What, When, and How?

Typically, recovery from breast augmentation can take seven days to two weeks. However, it may still vary depending on the implant size, placements of the implant, and location of the incision.

Taking Care of Your New Breasts

Healing and recovery are as important as the surgery. Aside from the skill of the plastic surgeon handling the augmentation operation, its success also largely depends on how the patient takes care of herself.

In my practice, I provide my patients with post-operative instructions that they can follow to achieve maximum and long-lasting results. By practicing these aftercare how-to’s, they can avoid incurring complications that may prolong their recovery time or require them to have revision surgery.

Here are some of the typical aftercare instructions I give my patients for a speedy and complication-free recovery.

Engage in moderate walking exercises and avoid strenuous activities. Light walking every other hour after the surgery is good to prevent blood clots, promote good circulation, and minimize swelling. However, it should not be tiring like walking uphill or intense like walking on a treadmill. The level of exercise can be gradually increased come the fifth to eight week. And it is only after the eighth week that I allow my patients to resume their full activities, including repetitive and sustained exercises. Perform some implant displacement exercises. To achieve more natural-looking breasts after the operation, I suggest doing displacement exercises. These exercises aid in restoring the patient’s full range of motion and prevent the scars from tightening. Keep suture areas dry. I usually recommend my patients to wait at least 48 hours before taking a shower. This period allows sufficient time for the wound edges to heal, thus, preventing occurrences of infections and other complications. Take only prescribed medications. I advise my patients against taking aspirin and other supplements like fish oil until after two weeks following surgery. Such medications are blood thinners and can cause excessive bleeding. Likewise, they may react with other medicines, which may result in unwanted complications. Avoid applying lotions and creams on incision areas. Putting on lotion or creams on the wounds is not advisable. Doing so may cause some inflammation, which can prolong the recovery period. However, if the wound feels itchy due to the stretching of the skin, I allow my patients to apply lotion on the breasts, but not directly on the suture sites. Sleep on your back with your head and upper back slightly elevated. Contrary to popular belief, sleeping in an upright position does not help breast implants to drop to their natural position faster. I recommend sleeping in a slightly elevated position to help reduce the swelling that may develop after the surgery. After a week or so, I allow my patients to sleep on their sides but with a reminder not to sleep on their stomach for another three months. Regardless of the sleeping position, however, it is still essential to get a good night’s sleep for faster recovery and healing. Refrain from lifting any objects heavier than 10–20 pounds. I often advise my patients to avoid raising their elbows and arms above their heads for at least three weeks. Likewise, especially for patients who opted for an armpit incision, I advise them against lifting any object weighing over 10 to 20 pounds. It is to prevent their sutures from opening and minimize the occurrence of secondary complications such as hematoma, bleeding, and implant displacement. Wear a surgical bra. I recommend wearing a surgical bra both for comfort and health reasons. Sporting the surgical bra is necessary until the fourth week and helps patients adjust to the new weight of their chest. While it is understandable that some patients are uncomfortable wearing surgical or compression bras, it can assist in reducing pain and maintaining circulation as well as the stabilization of the breast implants while healing and recovering.

Doing moderate walking exercises after your breast augmentation surgery can help prevent blood clots, have good circulation, and lessen the swelling.

Final Words

Undergoing breast surgery is not an easy feat, but so is the long and arduous process of recovery. As a plastic surgeon, there are two pieces of advice that I can give any woman who wishes to enhance their most distinct feature.

First, consult with a board-certified plastic surgeon. Their well-honed skills and expert guidance are one of the keys to a successful augmentation surgery. Second, observe your plastic surgeon’s post-operative instructions. It is the single most effective way to achieve optimum results with the least possibility of incurring complications and the need for revision surgery.

The healing process takes time, but with the proper guidance, realistic expectations, and right attitude, it can be worth it for both the plastic surgeon and patient.