Since the experimental operations of the early 20th century and the emergence of breast implants in 1961, breast augmentation has gone a long way to become one of the most consistently popular cosmetic treatments of recent decades. The procedure is one of the most well-known instances of cosmetic surgery. Over many years, it has become critical in forming the cultural understanding of the area in question. The recovery process for breast augmentation continues to be a source of bewilderment for many patients, even though it was performed on about 200,000 women in the United States in 2020 alone. Despite this, many patients are still uncertain of what to anticipate following the treatment breast reconstruction
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“Depending on the technique used, recovery can be as short as three weeks (with subglandular augmentation, which is my preferred method) or as long as three months (with submuscular technique, which is significantly more painful and involves cutting your pectoralis major muscles and stretching them over an implant),” explains Karen Horton, MD, a board-certified plastic surgeon in San Francisco and member of the ASPS.
Is there anything you must refrain from doing in the days leading up to your operation to speed up your recovery?
Despite the widespread notion, the healing process for breast augmentation really begins well before the procedure itself. Patients are not restricted in any way in terms of their ability to engage in physical activity in the days and weeks leading up to the surgery; however, some medications and supplements should be avoided.
According to Dr Horton, anti-inflammatory medications, such as aspirin, ibuprofen, and others like them, are “the biggest culprits” for raising the risk of bleeding and bruising after surgical procedures. A variety of vitamins and supplements, including vitamin E, fish oil, ginkgo Biloba, and garlic, are among those that should be avoided for a period of two weeks before to (and after) surgical procedures. According to specific research, when they are in a concentrated state, they may cause an increase in bleeding.
What should you expect during the first week of your recovery?
Breast augmentation, like any other surgical procedure, requires the patient to undergo several stages of recuperation in the days, weeks, and months following the process. Immediately after the procedure, the patient’s relaxation and icing will be their highest priorities.
According to Anureet Bajaj, MD, a board-certified plastic surgeon in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, who is also a member of the ASPS, “Ice is your greatest buddy in terms of keeping swelling down and helping to reduce the discomfort, and that’s the approach I do with my patients today.”
Most breast augmentation procedures do not need drains since they remove wound fluid rather than require the body to absorb it. However, chutes may drastically reduce the amount of time needed for recovery.