Breast Enhancement Surgery – Recovery & Results

This page provides an overview for the expected recovery and results from the various types of breast enhancement surgery. The topics covered will include how long will it take until you can resume normal activities after breast augmentation, breast lift or breast reduction. Also covered will be the expectations for results. Also, additional outside resources are provided to help you answer all of your questions regarding recovery and results of breast enlargement. It is important, however, that you consult a qualified board-certified plastic surgeon to discuss your individual expectations and review your specific post-operative instructions. It is always best before surgery to view breast implants before and after photos to develop a good idea of the results you can expect for your age, shape and weight.

Recovery from Breast Lift, Augmentation, or Reduction Surgery

The recovery time after breast augmentation, breast lift or breast reduction will vary depending on the extent of the surgery, individual health factors, adherence to your surgeon's post-operative instructions, and other factors. The recovery may also depend on the occurrence of any complications after breast surgery. After the procedure, your doctor will monitor you for any of these breast augmentation, breast lift or breast reduction complications associated with breast surgery. There also may be long-term factors to consider when having breast reduction surgery.

Educating yourself about how you will look and feel after breast augmentation surgery, breast lift or breast reduction surgery is the best way to prepare yourself for the road to come. This includes finding information on post-operative swelling and bruising, loss of sensitivity in the breast and/or nipple, how to decrease the pressure on your breasts for faster recovery, as well as stitch removal. The FDA provides a resource on what to expect during the recovery period of breast surgery, including helpful tips on how to minimize pain.

Find out when gauze bandages and drain tubes will be removed in an article from the Cleveland Clinic. Educate yourself about post-operative incision care, which kind of supplies you will need to have at home to ensure a healthy and comfortable recovery, and how smoking and second-hand smoke can negatively affect the healing process. Furthermore, you should learn how to set up a home recovery area in order to ease the process of recovery. Pillows and blankets set up properly in the bed or on the coach can help to support the breasts after surgery during recovery and create more comfort.

It is important to recognize when you will be able to resume your normal activities, including strenuous work, sexual activity and exercise, after having breast augmentation, breast lift or breast reduction. Finally, review a post-operative patient checklist for breast enhancement surgery. This checklist will help you organize all the items necessary for a healthy and speedy recovery.

Results for Breast Augmentation, Breast Lift and Breast Reduction

Do not be alarmed immediately after surgery if your breasts do not look like you imagined they would. With a positive attitude, realistic expectations, and time for healing, chances are excellent that you will be pleased with your new look. Over time your bustline can become more shapely and take on the curvature and size that you desired. Visit this page to review breast augmentation before and after photos.

If you are concerned about scarring from your breast surgery, the American Society of Plastic Surgeons provides helpful information on how to deal with scars. Furthermore, your plastic surgeon will do everything to minimize the appearance of scars after healing occurs. However, scarring is unavoidable after breast surgery. Talk to your plastic surgeon to understand how incision locations and post-operative care may minimize the appearance of scars, and learn about different types of scars, available treatment, and insurance coverage for scar treatment. Also, find out whether breast reduction surgery can be performed without scars.

To increase your chances of a successful outcome after breast surgery, it is important that you choose a qualified plastic surgeon. Learn how to find a plastic surgeon with the appropriate background and qualifications using the Consumer Guide to Plastic Surgery. Additionally, find out how many years you can expect your breast augmentation results, breast lift results or breast reduction results to last. This will depend on specific factors including age and size of the implants. Finally, make sure to follow up with your plastic surgeon regularly to ensure proper healing.

To learn more about breast surgery, access additional articles and resources.

Other Plastic Surgery Procedure Recovery and Results

If you are looking information about other procedures, you can visit our sister websites and learn about liposuction cost, rhinoplasty surgeons or laser eye surgery. To learn about facial plastic surgery recovery, visit this site.

More Information?

  • Review the FDA Breast Implant Consumer Handbook
  • Learn how plastic surgery procedures can help correct cosmetic defects incurred as a result of birth injury
  • Research reconstructive cosmetic surgery proceduresappropriate for patients who have undergone aggressive treatments for a variety of serious diseases, such as mesothelioma