Recovery Timetable for Primary Augmentation
Posted On: March 17, 2021 Author: The Office of Dr. Stuart Linder Posted In: Breast Augmentation, Recovery Primary Augmentation
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Before undergoing breast augmentation, it is beneficial to understand what to expect during and after your surgery. Doing so helps to ensure proper preparation, thus allowing for a much-needed relaxing recovery.
Recovering correctly is essential in minimizing your risk of complications and achieving the best results possible. In addition to this information, please follow all postoperative instructions provided by your surgeon.
What Happens Immediately After Breast Augmentation?
Directly following your breast augmentation surgery, you will spend a minimum of one hour in the recovery room. You will then be sent home with a wrap and gauze in place. Since you will likely be coming off of anesthesia, you should have someone with you at the appointment to safely drive you home.
How Can I Prepare for My Breast Augmentation Recovery?
Preparing for your major surgery can be stressful.
By following this guide, you can feel confident that you have all your ducks in a row. If you have children, you should arrange childcare since you cannot give them all your attention in the first few days. You will need to arrange for someone to pick them up and take them to school when you are on pain medication and unable to drive.
You will also need to take ample time off work and other responsibilities.
Is Breast Augmentation Recovery Painful?
As with any surgery, you may experience pain and discomfort during your breast augmentation recovery. This can be managed with prescription or over-the-counter pain medication.
Postoperative medication varies per patient and may not be recommended for everyone. These medications include KEFLEX® (an antibiotic, not recommended for individuals with allergies to penicillin), Flexeril® (muscle spasm), NORCO® (pain control), and Zofran® (nausea and vomiting prevention).
Your surgeon will review your medical history to determine which medications are right for you. Please discuss any known allergies with your surgeon at your initial consultation.
Will I Need a Breast Augmentation Postoperative Visit?
After breast augmentation, you will need to return to Dr. Linder’s office for a postoperative visit. A follow-up appointment will take place about seven days post-op, and your breasts will be examined for bleeding, infection, and positioning of the implants. This appointment will help ensure your breasts are healing correctly and there are no complications.
During your postoperative visit, all dressings are removed, and an upper pole compression band is placed. This allows the implant to maintain an inferior position while softening muscles so that there will only be natural settling over the next four to six weeks.
After two weeks, you will have another follow-up appointment, and, depending on the placement of the implant at that time, the upper pole band may or may not be discarded.
Sutures will be removed at this time. However, if there is any evidence of scabbing, patients are asked to return in five days for final suture removal.
When Can I Return to Work After Breast Augmentation Surgery?
Patients can often return to work and other light activities 14 to 21 days after surgery. However, it is important to note that this varies between individuals depending on how their body heals.
Interested in Learning More About Breast Augmentation Recovery?
If you are interested in learning more about breast augmentation recovery in Beverly Hills, California, please schedule a consultation with Dr. Linder by calling 310-275-4812 or filling out our online contact form.