Recommendations for breast augmentation recovery remain fairly consistent among plastic surgeons.
The introduction of breast augmentation implants placed under the skin is responsible for the initial tight sensation. The skin and soft tissue will generally require a few weeks to accommodate the increased volume before feeling and appearing more relaxed and natural. Until that occurs, the breasts may appear a little “high” or very round on the chest. In practice, patients can expect tightness to last anywhere from 1 to 3 months, improving over that time period.
Employ Massage Therapy
Patients are instructed to perform daily breast massage beginning the first week during recovery. This type of massage serves three major purposes in breast augmentation recovery:
Second, massage therapy is a proactive daily treatment which will actually help to reduce the soreness and discomfort felt in the breasts.
Lastly, the massage will aid in the relaxation of the skin and soft tissue of the breasts which will ultimately improve the position and appearance of the implants.
Use Compression Garments
Commonly, the incisions for placement of breast implants are located at the lower breast crease (“infra-mammary fold” in medical speak) and the use of an underwire bra may irritate the healing incision, or, over a longer time period, may influence (or prevent) the descent of the implants into a more pendulous-shaped breast (like a tear-drop).
In selected patients, whose skin is very tight or whose implants are very large, the use of a “bandeaux ” (a compressive bandage placed above the breasts and under the armpits) is advised to “coax” the implants into a lower position as the skin envelope of the breast progressively expands and appears more relaxed over a few to several weeks.
Apply Silicone Scar Treatments
Certain people may have an unfavorable history of wound healing. In these types of patients, it is pre-emptively advised that the use of silicone scar treatments to be applied to their incisions after the first week of recovery and up to 12 full weeks of treatment.
Follow-Up With Your Doctor
Significant size distortion or increase, asymmetry, focal or severe pain, blushing of the skin with redness, foul-smelling discharge, or just general malaise (fever, fatigue) may indicate a bleeding problem or infection.
If you have any of these concerns, it is highly recommended to notify your plastic surgeon expediently and be prepared to be evaluated in the clinic on short notice, if necessary to ensure full breast augmentation recovery.