Breast augmentation is a relatively straightforward surgery, taking only about an hour to an hour and a half to perform. Since you’re likely to be under general anesthetic the whole time, surgery is the easiest part for you. Your work begins after breast augmentation surgery. Recovery is hard and painful, but you can get through it much more easily if you know what to expect and how to deal with it.

Most breast augmentation surgeries are performed in a hospital. You may be allowed to go home after the procedure, but many patients remain in the hospital for two to three days following the surgery. If you do have a hospital stay after breast augmentation surgery, it will likely be to monitor the draining of fluids from your body and watch for signs of infection. During the surgery, the doctor will probably place drains in your breasts to keep fluids from building up immediately after surgery. Your body will stop draining within a day or two, and the drains will be removed before you are released. If you have stitches that are not self-dissolving, they will be removed five to seven days after the surgery.

Your first 24 to 48 hours at home are rather dicey because you are still at good risk for infection and you are practically immobile. You will not be able to do anything for yourself during this time – you can’t feed yourself, bathe yourself, dress yourself, get a drink or even sit up by yourself or blow your nose. This period is even more risky if you are released from the hospital the same day of your surgery. Be sure to have your significant other or a designated helper monitor and care for you during this time.

Doctors will tell you that the amount of pain you experience after breast augmentation surgery depends on the placement of the implant. They will tell you that the pain is mild to moderate if the implant is placed over the chest muscle and moderate to severe if it is placed under. Women who have gone through recovery, regardless of the placement of the implant, will tell you that it all hurts a lot. A lot. You will be in significant pain. Have your surgeon prescribe a pain medication before surgery, and keep heating pads on hand for your back and ice packs around for your chest. Try to sleep through the pain.

The good news is that most women do not bruise after breast augmentation surgery. The bad news is that all breast augmentation patients swell, a lot. Swelling is one of the body’s defenses against trauma, which major surgery is. It is less severe if the implants are placed over the muscle and more if you have sub-muscular implants. Swelling is usually most pronounced three to five days after surgery, and it will be 75% gone within two to four weeks of surgery. The remaining swelling will resolve itself over the course of a few months. Don’t examine your breasts for about two weeks after surgery, the swelling and scarring will gross you out.

You should be able to remove your bandages and shower within a few days of surgery, though it may be awhile longer before you can take a full bath. You can resume exercise in one to four weeks after surgery if your implants were placed over the muscles, otherwise wait four to eight weeks. You can return to work in four to ten days depending on the placement of your implants, though you will have lifting restrictions. You should be able to travel within a few days after breast augmentation surgery.

All in all, recovery after breast augmentation surgery isn’t that long, but it can feel longer than it is because of pain, nausea, and immobility. Knowing what to expect and having someone to help you through it can make recovery after breast augmentation much faster and easier, so you can get on with enjoying your life and your new breasts.

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