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Breast Augmentation Recovery FAQ
This section covers frequently asked questions (FAQ) about recovering from breast augmentation surgery. If you have a suggestion for any additional questions, please let us know. If you need support during this time please visit our Online Community.
- What if I get sick and can't keep my medicine down?
- I am a very active person. How long should I wait after breast augmentation until I resume exercising?
- How long before my breast implants drop?
- Why are my breasts red and feel like they are sunburned?
- Why are my breasts shiny? When will it go away?
- How long after breast augmentation will my breasts soften up?
- Am I too firm? How firm is too firm?
- One breast seems to be dropping quicker than the other? Is this normal after breast augmentation?
- What is the strap used for?
- How soon can I go back to work after breast augmentation?
- Will I regret my decision to get breast implants?
- When can I tan my new boobies?
- My bra is irritating my incision lines. What can I do?
- My new breasts are squeaking and gurgling! is this permanent? When will it stop??
- My breasts look like cones or torpedoes, is this permanent?
- My nipples are too sensitive and are constantly erect. What can I do to ease this?
- My nipples are pointing at the floor (or up or outwards, etc.). Does this mean I needed a lift or I have been botched?
- I hate my new breasts. They are ugly and bruised and aren't big enough! Am I going crazy?
- My breasts are too big! I hate them! When can I have a redo?
- I feel so depressed Is this normal??
- When can I start jogging again after breast augmentation?
- What can I do about my breast implant scars? What treatments can improve their appearance?
- When can I begin having sex again after breast augmentation?
- Will I have to sleep on my back or side forever?
- My breasts are numb. Will I ever have sensation again?
- Can I drive myself home after breast augmentation surgery if I don’t have general anesthesia?
- I have a ride home from the surgery center but my friend can't stay over that night? Is that okay?
- I am traveling out of town for my breast implant surgery and will stay at a hotel for a few days - can I take care of myself?
- How soon after surgery can I fly in an airplane?
- I plan on taking a vacation soon after breast augmentation, how long should I wait?
1. What if I get sick and can't keep my medicine down?
Most pills and capsules have broken down and been absorbed, or moved past your stomach in about an hour. Taking your medication with a little food and water can help you keep it down during breast augmentation recovery. If you simply cannot keep your medications down and if you vomit as soon as you take them, tell your surgeon. You may need to have your prescription changed and he or she should be told that you are having problems with nausea.
The usual advice is to wait at least 2 weeks after breast augmentation before exercising, and 3 weeks is better. Although you may feel good, you are not healed completely and you will not be fully healed for sometime. Starting to do too much too soon can disrupt your incisions and set back your healing. You should not lift heavy objects, bend over, or take part in vigorous activities for at least 3 weeks after breast augmentation. Be very cautious about lifting heavy objects after the first few weeks during breast augmentation recovery. As always, abide by your doctor's instructions.
3. How long before my breast implants drop?
For most women, breast implants are a bit high for a short period after they are implanted and then they drop into a more normal position. This is sometimes referred to as “fluffing.” The time it takes your breast implants to drop depends upon several factors, including the implant size, what size you were preoperatively, the implant surface type, their placement, whether you massage you breasts, and your muscle tone. Because of all these variables, everyone will drop at different rates. Smooth breast implants drop faster than textured. If you go under the muscle, you will drop slower than if they are placed over. If you had very small breasts before, and get moderate to large implants, yours will take longer to drop because of the tightness of the skin.
Some surgeons advise you to push your breast implants down or massage them soon after your surgery during your breast augmentation recovery. If you are having problems, some surgeons have you wear a strap, which is a wide elastic band, or strap, that is worn around the top of the chest above the breasts to help push them down.
Usually, you can expect to begin dropping within the first few weeks. If you aren't dropped within 6 to 9 months you may have a stubborn case and may need breast augmentation revision surgery.
4. Why are my breasts red and feel like they are sunburned?
Your skin has been stretched to accommodate the breast implants. When skin is stretched, you have all kinds of sensations. The sunburned feeling and red color is from the stretching of your skin. You are healing, give it time. Ask your surgeon what he or she recommends for your skin during your breast implant recovery. Many people like to use a moisturizer with shea nut butter. Make sure you do not put anything on your incision until your surgeon says that it is okay.
5. Why are my breasts shiny? When will it go away?
The shininess of the skin on your breasts is because it is being stretched. As your skin begins to relax, the shininess will go away. Healing takes time. Ask your surgeon if you can apply shea nut butter on your breasts or another moisturizing product during your breast augmentation recovery.
6. How long after breast augmentation will my breasts soften up?
How long it takes your breasts to soften after breast augmentation depends on the surface type of your implants, the type of filler, whether the implants are overfilled, your muscle tone, and the implant placement. Because of swelling, you will be firm for a while no matter what. Saline breast implants are usually firmer than silicone filled, textured implants may feel firmer than smooth ones, and overfilled implants are fuller still. And if your muscles are really knotted or if you work out your chest a lot, your breasts will be firmer than someone who does not work out.
If you are very overfilled or have cohesive silicone implants, you may always be this firm. If you have any questions about your situation, ask your surgeon.
7. Am I too firm? How firm is too firm?
Firmness is relative. Some patients think they are too firm when they are slightly firmer than what they had before. Some patients want firmness and fullness around the top side of their breasts. There is no blanket answer because there are different preferences. Personally I like firmer breasts, I don't like squishy ones. If I wanted squishy, I would have kept what I had before. You have to understand that breast implants aren't going to be just like your natural breast tissue.
8. One breast seems to be dropping quicker than the other? Is this normal after breast augmentation?
This is normal after breast augmentation. Some surgeons say that your dominant side (your right side if you are right-handed) will hold that implant up higher if you have unders and it will drop slower. However, some surgeons say just the opposite because they believe muscle contractions massage the implant into place. Go figure.
The fact is that we all differ in our healing times even within our own bodies and one side may drop slower than the other. Don't be discouraged if this happens. Be patient. They will usually level out on their own. If you feel that you are not dropping evenly after some time, talk to your surgeon.
9. What is “the strap” used for?
The strap is a wide piece of elastic cloth that circles your chest and back above your breasts. Basically, it pushes your breast implants down to force them to drop during breast augmentation recovery. Some surgeons have you use elastic bandaging such as Ace bandaging. Many women loathe wearing a strap, but it will be your best friend if you need it so get used to it. It can help your breast implants drop.
10. How soon can I go back to work after breast augmentation?
This depends upon your type of employment, your incision type and implant placement, and on how fast you heal. If you have a sedentary job you can generally go back sooner than later. If you have TUBA you can go back sooner than if you have breast implants and a full lift. Generally, 5 days is a good amount to take off work but 2 to 4 days is very possible. If you take 5 work days off, that plus the weekends will give you ample time to heal properly.
Just remember, don't overdo it. Even jobs that are sedentary with the occasional lifting of a file box or bending over to get a file, can injure you. If you have a labor-intensive job, you must wait 3 weeks at least. Ask your surgeon, as he is the one who will release you for activity.
11. Will I regret my decision to get breast implants?
The only person who can answer this is you and you will have to ask yourself only after you completely heal and are out of the woods. But I will let you in on a little secret. Almost all of us have thought at one point as we healed, "What have I done to myself?" It is a very natural thought. We are human and therefore we are capable of regret and second thoughts. It is common to think we’ve made a mistake when we see the bruises, feel uncomfortable, or directly postoperative, when our breast don’t look good yet. Give yourself time to heal and the breast implants time to settle before you even consider thinking about regrets.
12. When can I tan my new boobies?
Do we need to remind you that tanning is not good for any part of your skin? Tanned skin is damaged skin. If you want to tan anyway, you are going to have to wait. Wait at least until your skin is no longer red and shiny because you could wind up with hyperpigmentation. Do not let your incisions get exposed to direct sun until 6 months to a year after surgery, and a year is safer. Scars take about 12 months to mature, so cover them! If you try to tan your breast implant scars, it can cause pigmentation problems and degradation of the collagen network in the scars. Your skin on your breasts will stretch out and heal before your scars do, so if you start tanning, cover your scars with some kind of tape, not just sunblock.
13. My bra is irritating my incision lines. What can I do?
If your incisions have closed, you can either wear an elastic bandage around your breasts and wear your bra on top of it, or use foam padding like EPIfoam™ from BioDermis.
14. My new breasts are squeaking and gurgling! Is this permanent? When will it stop?
Do not be alarmed if you hear gurgling, squeaking or crackling noises coming from your breasts. These noises can be from fluid build up or air bubbles within the implant pocket and by the implant settling in. Give it a few weeks. I had gurgling, squeaking and sloshing noises for a few weeks during my breast implant recovery but it stopped. Although the noises might be disturbing, this is normal after breast augmentation.
15. My breasts look like cones or torpedoes, is this permanent?
If you are wondering why your breasts may be odd looking, it is because your skin has been stretched over them. The final results of your breast implants cannot be seen yet. Your skin is tight, making the implants feel very firm and high. If your breasts look like torpedoes, your implants haven't dropped yet. The lower half of each breast is probably still tight, forcing the breasts into high, hard cone shapes. This will go away.
In the weeks immediately after your implants, you may think they are too big, too small, too round, not round enough, too square, too itchy, too high, too low, too ugly, too sensitive, too this, and too that. This will pass. Give it time. If you have unders (under the chest muscles), it may take a bit for the muscles to relax. If you are right-handed, your right breast may not fall as fast as your left one. Don't worry though, it will, and if it doesn't, your surgeon can correct it later on.
Your muscles are going to be quite traumatized if you have unders, so the firmness will be from the tight, knotted up muscles. Just give yourself time to heal and your new breasts time to settle in during your breast implant recovery. You might not even think you like them at first, but don’t rush to judgment. Please be patient.
16. My nipples are too sensitive and are constantly erect. What can I do to ease this?
Many women complain of very erect and sensitive nipples after breast augmentation. Your nipples feel very sensitive when your clothing rubs up against them. You can try covering them by using those round Band-Aids, large corn pads, or nursing pads. These products can protect your nipples from the abrasiveness of your clothing and shield your erect nipples from the eyes of the public.
Having your nipples pointing in odd directions is normal at first after breast augmentation, so don't worry. Your implants are usually high up on your chest at first (especially with unders) and this causes your breasts to point to the floor. Hang in there, you are just healing!
18. I hate my new breasts. They are ugly and bruised and aren't big enough! Am I going crazy?
If you’re wondering why your breasts may be odd looking, it’s because your skin has been stretched over them. Your implants may be very firm and high and your muscles are traumatized and tense. You may think they are too big, too small, too round, not round enough, or what have you. This will pass. Give your healing the time it needs.
19. My breasts are too big! I hate them! When can I have a redo?
In the weeks after breast augmentation, your breasts will be swollen and you will not have become accustomed to them yet. They may also be relatively high up on your chest. Wait until the swelling goes down before you decide they are too big.
If after 6 to 9 months, you still don't like them, then you can think of a breast augmentation revision.
20. I feel so depressed. Is this normal?
Many breast augmentation patients, including me, experience times of sadness or anxiety during breast implant recovery. We begin to second guess ourselves and wonder if we should have had the surgery in the first place. We begin to think we are ugly and that the bruising and swelling will never go away. You are not alone when you feel like this! In fact, you're quite normal!
See our Postoperative Depression Section for more information on this subject.
21. When can I start jogging again after breast augmentation?
After breast augmentation, you need to be fully healed before you start to return to your regular athletic activity or sports. Activities like jogging, jumping rope, basketball, and horseback riding, subject your breasts to a lot of up-and-down motion. Jumping up and down without a good support for your breasts can cause all kinds of damage if you are not fully healed. This kind of damage can stretch skin, ligaments, and connective tissue and cause you to sag. You need get an okay from your surgeon before taking part in any strenuous activity.
And no matter when you start, wear a good support bra.
22. What can I do about my breast implant scars? What treatments can improve their appearance?
There are several products that promote the healing and improve the appearance of breast implant scars. These include Mederma® , BioDermis' Xeragel® and silicone sheeting, etc. While the incisions are closing, some surgeons use tissue sealant (like fibrin glue) or Steri-Strips™ or other types of medical paper tape.
23. When can I begin having sex again after breast augmentation?
Think of sex as a form of exercise. You are not allowed participate in any activities that can significantly raise your heart rate or cause much movement in your breasts for a week or two after breast augmentation. You could possibly have sex if you don’t move too much or get too excited, but that does put a big damper on it, doesn't it? Just wait until your surgeon tells you it is okay. It is better to be safe than sorry.
However, when you do start having sex again, remember that some antibiotics interfere with oral birth control pills, so use another form of protection until you start your next month of pills.
24. Will I have to sleep on my back or side forever?
No, of course not. You do have to sleep on your back with your head elevated for the first 5 to 10 days to help with discomfort and to reduce swelling after breast augmentation. You can sleep on your side after that, or on your stomach if you are comfortable that way.
After that, well . . . I was a life-long stomach sleeper until I got breast implants years ago. Was. I can occasionally sleep on my stomach, and occasionally do with the help of my arms bent and under me so that my hands are still under my neck. It isn't the most enjoyable thing, but it is a change from only sleeping on my back or side. Think of it this way: sleeping on your back is actually better for your back and decreases wrinkles on your face that can occur when sleeping on your stomach. In my book, that's not a bad thing.
25. My breasts are numb. Will I ever have sensation again?
In almost all cases, the sensation in the skin does return after breast augmentation. The nerves in the skin have pressure on them from the swelling and are affected from the skin being so tightly stretched over the breast implant. This pressure will temporarily numb the area, but can even increase sensations in some areas. Nerves in the area of your incisions may be cut, and may take a bit longer to heal.
As the breast envelope relaxes and your swelling subsides you will start to notice sensation coming back gradually. This may take several months and even up to a year.
Some loss of sensation may be permanent. In fact sensation may be numbed just due to the implant pressure on the nerves. I personally notice that I lose sensation in my upper chest and feel numb if I go without a bra for more than an hour. I wear a bra 24 hours a day and the only time I do not is after I put on self tanner and then do my nails while I dry, which is how I found out about the numbness. I also have numbness along the outside edge of my breasts. It is a small price to pay in my opinion.
26. Can I drive myself home after breast augmentation surgery if I don’t have general anesthesia?
No. You must have someone drive you home and care for you for the first 24 to 48 hours after surgery, during your breast augmentation recovery. In addition to any residual grogginess from the sedative and anesthesia, you may be very sore and bandaged, both of which could interfere with your ability to drive. Play it safe, have a driver.
Try to have someone stay with you the night after your surgery. You are going to sleep a lot and you need to make sure you wake up to take your medications and take your temperature during your breast implant recovery. You may also need help to get in and out of bed and go to the bathroom. If you cannot find a friend or family member to stay over that night, ask your surgeon about arranging for one of his staff to come by and check on you. You can also stay overnight in the hospital or at an aftercare facility. Another option is to arrange for a home health care aide to stay with you. These services would add to the cost of your surgery.
In any event, it is essential for you to have a caregiver for the first 24 to 48 hours after breast augmentation in case any problems occur and to help you.
If you are traveling to an out-of-town surgeon, he or she will usually arrange for one of his staff or a homecare nurse to be with you overnight. Some surgeons have overnight facilities. Check about this in advance. Remember, it is essential to have someone to help care for you the first 24 to 48 hours after breast augmentation.
29. How soon after surgery can I fly in an airplane?
You will need to stay at home or near your surgeon for the first week during your breast implant recovery in case of any complications and for your follow-up appointments. However, flying in and of itself should not affect your body after the first 24 to 48 hours. Still, you should check with your surgeon first.
30. I plan on taking a vacation soon after breast augmentation. How long should I wait?
You need to ask your surgeon since he or she is familiar with your case. You will need to stay at home or near your surgeon’s office for the first week during your breast augmentation recovery in case of any complications and for your follow-up appointments. If you travel in the first month after breast augmentation surgery, you need to be very careful because you are not fully healed yet. You will also be tired and sore, so don’t overdo it!
You usually can resume normal activities within a few days, but do not bend over, lift heavy objects, or participate in any vigorous activities for at least 3 weeks. As long as you are okay with that, a vacation is fine. To be on the safe side, you should wait at least 5 to 6 weeks after breast augmentation before participating in contact sports or extreme activities. And if your vacation involves a bathing suit, ask your doctor when you can stop wearing the postoperative bras during the day.
If your breast augmentation involves subpectoral or full submuscular placement of the implants, your breast augmentation recovery time may be slightly longer because the muscles will be disturbed. This may last for several weeks. You should also be cautious about lifting your arms over your head if you have had a transaxillary (armpit) incision.
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