Last updated on October 30, 2023
Day 0
Patients can go home a few hours after the breast augmentation procedure at the Breast & Body Clinic. They will be provided with take-home medications and instruction leaflets. It’s important to keep drinking plenty of fluids and keep mobilizing.
Days 1-4
Swelling, pain, and discomfort may be there after breast augmentation surgery. Early risk for bleeding in the first 24 hours. This is the period that requires the vast majority of tablets. Move arms gently. Bruising may appear. Fluid retention is common as is weight gain in this period.
Days 4-10
Wound check on day 7 of breast augmentation procedure. Generally OK to shower and get wounds briefly wet after day 7. The tummy may be swollen as the swelling moves down your body. Possible constipation due to pain medications like codeine or co-codamol. Pain tends to diminish during the day with less need for medications. However, pain tends to occur at night and is worse with submuscular placement ( behind the muscle). Bruising stable. Begin implant displacement exercises. Between 7-10 days be aware of signs of bleeding or infection.
Days 10-21
Now there is lowered risk of infection and bleeding after 10 days of breast augmentation surgery. Increased physical activity such as low-impact exercises avoiding upper extremity resistance exercises. The vast majority of initial capsule formation occurs during this period. The vast majority of swelling begins to subside. Occasional pain at night. Nerves begin to wake up and may cause a “pins and needles” sensation in the nipple area. Normal to have some areas of skin numbness. More aggressive implant displacement exercises are begun.
Days 21-42
Generally a plateau period in terms of wound healing. Not a lot of changes as the remaining 20% of the capsule tends to be formed during this period. Rare to require any pain meds. Generally ok to switch to ibuprofen if needed. May begin the transition from low-impact activities to higher-impact aerobic activities and begin a slow but gradually progressive course of upper extremity resistance exercises.
Days 42-9 months
Progressive relaxation of scar tissues and softening of the initial firm result with the descent of the implant and resolution of the remaining 5-10% of swelling. It is at this point that the breasts generally become softer and develop some movement. During this time most patients take “ownership” of the implants and they become part of their body image but this varies tremendously among patients. This is also a common time period where patients may feel that they didn’t go big enough. Although the breasts become stable in their appearance, it is important to realize that they are never stable and always changing with the greatest amount of change occurring with pregnancy, weight gain, and menopause.