Breast Augmentation - What to Expect

If you're considering breast augmentation, you're probably wondering what the procedure will involve before, during, and after the actual day of surgery. You may have questions about how long the procedure will take, what will be done, what will your breasts look like immediately following surgery, and what can you expect during recovery. You may also be wondering if you should you have someone with you for a couple days after the procedure, what you should do to prepare, and how much time you should plan to take off work. Of course, all these and many more questions can be answered in detail by your plastic surgeon during your visits before the operation. Ask as many questions as you can, even if they seem embarrassing! It's best to know upfront what to expect from this procedure before you have it done. What to Expect as you Prepare Your surgeon may recommend that you get a mammogram done sometime before surgery to establish a baseline for future breast examinations. You'll probably have a second mammogram done a few months after your breast augmentation to establish a new baseline for comparison later on. You'll have regular mammograms every couple years after your surgery, especially if you have silicone implants. This way the silicone can be monitored for leakage or rupture. If you smoke, you'll be asked to stop smoking well ahead of the scheduled surgery date. And if you regularly take anti-inflammatory drugs or aspirin, you'll need to stop taking these for a while before surgery to avoid excessive bleeding. Any other personalized instructions will be provided by your surgeon. What to Expect on Surgery Day During your surgery you'll be given medication to ensure that you are comfortable during the entire procedure. The most typical medications used are local anesthesia or intravenous sedation. Occasionally, general anesthesia is needed. Immediately after surgery, you'll be moved to a recovery room, where you'll be monitored closely to detect any adverse effects from the anesthesia. Your breasts will be wrapped in gauze and supported with a surgical bra for maximum comfort and protection from infection. As long as everything goes well, you'll be able to go home within a few hours. What to Expect as you Recover For several days after surgery, you may notice discoloration and swelling. You may have some swelling for up to a month, but the discoloration should resolve relatively quickly. You're encouraged to be up and about several times a day during the first several days after recover. This walking will help to prevent blood clots from forming in your legs. It will take several days, possibly up to a week, to return to your normal activity level. And you should definitely avoid strenuous activity for several weeks as your breasts heal from the breast augmentation surgery. Your doctor will advise you on when you can go back to work, and it will depend largely on what type of work you do.