Breast Augmentation Recovery - What To Expect

Breast augmentation alters the shape and size of the breasts and can be performed using a number of methods including the placement of saline, silicone or gummy bear implants and fat grafting where fat is removed from one area on the body of the patient before being purified and re-injected into the breasts to provide more volume and a new shape and contour.

The actual act of augmenting the breasts is only part of the process. Once the implants are placed or the fat grafting process is completed, the road to recovery begins for the patient. Before making the final decision to undergo breast augmentation, patients should know what to expect after breast augmentation surgery.

Immediate Aftermath of Breast Augmentation

After the breast augmentation procedure is completed, patients should arrange for a friend or family member to drive them home as well as help them out once they get home. Patients will be limited in the amount of lifting or physical activity they can perform after the surgery.

The necessary amount of time off work varies per person. There will be some swelling and bruising after the augmentation surgery that lasts for 2-3 weeks. There will also be downtime of 6-8 weeks when it comes to physical activity and exercise after the surgery.

If the patient has any scars after the surgery, they will last for 3-6 months before they start to fade. It can take up to a year for the scars to mature and completely fade.

Breast Augmentation Results

The final results depend on the augmentation method used by the surgeon. In addition, the final results that can be achieved are determined by the body type of the patient and the amount of elasticity that exists in the existing breast tissue.

Each patient has a different goal in mind when it comes to the appearance and amount of augmentation she wants to achieve. Overall, patients can enjoy an increase in the size of the breasts, increased fullness after losing volume due to the aging process and corrections of any asymmetry in the appearance of the breasts.

In general, breast implants last anywhere from 10-25 years while fat grafting results can last a lifetime. There are multiple conditions or factors that can impact the amount of time that the results last for a patient. These conditions include fluctuations in weight, pregnancy, the natural aging process and gravity. Plus, patients that undergo breast augmentation at a younger age might want a different look as they get older. An example of wanting a different look includes removing the breast implants as a person ages.

Another factor that can impact the results enjoyed by a person is the cost of the breast augmentation procedure. The final cost of breast augmentation depends on the type of procedure, the area of the country where the augmentation is performed, the types of implants used and the condition of the breasts/complexity of the surgery. Breast augmentation using fat grafting is anywhere from $10,000-$15,000 while breast implants cost in the range of $6000-$10,000. If the surgery is performed for medical reasons, such as treating a traumatic injury or an absence of the breast after a mastectomy for breast cancer, some of the cost might be covered by insurance. Patients should consult with their surgeon to see if some, or all, of the costs for their breast augmentation will be covered by insurance.

Limitations and Risks after Breast Augmentation Surgery

The results achieved by breast augmentation can be impacted by the body type of the patient. In other words, the body type of the patient is a big factor in the augmentation size that can be achieved while still enjoying natural looking results. There is also a limitation to the amount of fat that can safely be transferred by the doctor.

There are some common risks that patients should be aware of before undergoing breast augmentation. They include capsular contracture, infection, a numb feeling around the nipples, implant rupture or leaking and implant malposition.

Before making the final decision to undergo breast augmentation, patients should schedule a consultation appointment with a board-certified doctor. The doctor can examine the patient and let the person know the kind of results that can achieved by breast augmentation. It is very important to have realistic expectations going into breast augmentation in order to not be disappointed by the final results.