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Here’s something to think about: Just because you’ve made it through your breast augmentation surgery doesn’t mean that the procedure is complete. While the operation itself may only take a day, it may take months for your breasts to heal fully and for the implants to form the look that you desire.
Waiting and being patient can be the hardest part for our patients here in Southern California. The first weeks after the operation are critical to the success of your newly enhanced breasts.

Here are three critical things to stick to in the month following your breast augmentation procedure:

Follow Orders

Your doctor knows best when it comes to recovery. It’s important to carefully follow all the plastic surgeon’s instructions given specifically to you. If you’re prescribed any postoperative pain medications or antibiotics, make sure to take them exactly as directed. They may be prescribed in advance so you should fill them ahead of time. Keeping up with any assigned maintenance tasks can help you recover as quickly as possible.

The Healing Process

Understand that it’s going to take time to heal fully from your breast augmentation surgery. Your first week will be the most painful as the healing process begins. You may be asked to clean the incision sites and apply ointment from time to time. Acute pain typically subsides within the first five to seven days but expect to still be sore and swollen for a few weeks after that. Wearing your support garment around the clock as directed by your plastic surgeon is critical. A massage routine may also be recommended depending on the type of implant used and their placement.
You’ll have one or more follow-up appointments with your surgeon. He or she will examine your incisions, remove sutures if necessary, and address any concerns you may be having. It may take weeks or even months for the breast implants to settle into place so keeping up with your maintenance regimen is key. You may only be able to see the true cosmetic results after five or six months.

A Lot of Nothing

Make no bones about it: You might get a bit bored following your surgery. Taking it easy for a little while after the procedure may be the most important part of the recovery process. You may feel like your body is ready to get back to doing all the things you love, but practicing patience in your recovery can go a long way to healing fully.
While you can usually return to work after a couple of days, you’ll have to ease up until your doctor give you the go-ahead to increase your activity level. That means avoiding even simple activities you take for granted like walking the dogs or picking up heavier objects—like the kids. You don’t want to run the risk of ripping your sutures or bleeding into the pockets around the implants. This could lead to extra unnecessary procedures and costs that could be easily avoided by just taking it slowly.

You’ve already invested a lot of time and money into the effort, so make it count! Let other people lend a hand around the house and prepare yourself with plenty of movies and music to keep yourself occupied. This can be an excellent opportunity to spend more time with the family and catch up on your favorite shows.

Your Breast Augmentation at UCI Plastic Surgery

If you are interested in breast augmentation or any of the other breast enhancement procedures we offer, please don’t hesitate to schedule your initial consultation at UCI Plastic Surgery’s Orange, Costa Mesa, or Tustin Tustin locations.