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At New Look New Life, one of the most popular breast procedures we offer is breast augmentation surgery. The popularity of this procedure is due to the transformative results that can be achieved.
Because breast augmentation surgery can help you achieve the larger, more shapely and voluminous breasts you’ve always wanted, it makes sense that you’d want to show off your new figure as soon as possible.
But the truth is that it takes time for you to recover from your procedure and for your final results to settle.
Below, we’ll explore breast augmentation recovery to help you understand what to expect after your procedure.
What Happens After Surgery?
It is important to remember that you just underwent surgery where breast implants were placed in your body. This means that you will need to give yourself plenty of time to rest and recover.
Most patients require four to six weeks of recovery after their breast augmentation, though you can expect to return to work within one to two weeks, depending on how well you’re healing and how you feel. Patients who work from home or have desk-type jobs can often return to work sooner than those who are on their feet all day or are very active.
It can take anywhere from three to four months for your final results to become permanent. This doesn’t mean that you won’t be able to show off your new breasts before this time, but it does mean that the transformation of your results will not be as stunning as they will be once your implants settle (the “drop and fluff” stage) and all swelling dissipates.
What Is the Drop and Fluff Stage?
Your augmented breasts will likely not look the way you expected them to right after your surgery. They may remain high on the chest, or they may look flat on your chest (which definitely seems to be the opposite of what you expected).
This happens because the skin and breast tissue as well as the muscles remain tight initially.
Over the next few months, your breasts will drop and fluff. This means that the implants will fall into a more natural placement (the drop) and also fill out (fluff).
Once this happens, your larger, more shapely breasts will be visible. Not only that, but your breasts will look rounder and feel softer, giving you the results you truly want.
What Do You Need to Do During Your Recovery?
During the days following your augmentation procedure, you can expect to have swelling, bruising, and some tightness/discomfort in your chest. Pain medication will be prescribed, and you can take over-the-counter medication to minimize any pain you experience during your recovery.
You will need to refrain from strenuous physical activity, including lifting heavy objects and overworking yourself, until you have been cleared by your cosmetic surgeon. Additionally, you will need to make sure that you do not sleep on your stomach and you wear your surgical bra.
What to Know About Bras After Breast Augmentation
Wearing the right kind of bra can make all the difference during your breast augmentation recovery. Additionally, returning to an underwire bra too soon can lead to negative results (or even complications).
A surgical bra is one that is made of soft, high-quality material without wires, dye, or trim that might irritate the incisions and skin. This bra should be worn all day, every day for at least two weeks after your procedure. The purpose of this bra is to help support the newly created shape of the breasts, apply light compression, and quicken the recovery process.
After the first several weeks, you can return to a regular — but supportive — bra, though you should not wear a wire bra for at least two months after your breast augmentation. This is because the wires in underwire bras can irritate the incisions (causing more noticeable scarring).
Along with the right bra, it is so important that you follow the post-op instructions provided by your cosmetic surgeon.
Breast Augmentation in Manhattan and Westchester
If you have questions about breast augmentation or any of the other procedures that we offer at New Look New Life in New York City, give us a call at 212-830-6830 or contact us online — make sure to select either the Manhattan office or the Westchester office.