What To Expect After Breast Augmentation

Frequently Asked Questions

1. QUESTION:
   What is recovery like after breast augmentation?
   I am considering having this done, and I want to know exactly what to expect after surgery and when I come home. I am a stay at home mom of a 2 year old and a five year old and I know this will make it more difficult.

   • ANSWER:
     Everyone is different. My friend just had this done a few months ago. She couldn't do any lifting or raising her arms for 3 weeks. You come home the same day you have it done. The pain is pretty severe the first couple days but in the end she said it was worth it. You will have to have someone there to take care of you and your kids 24/7 at first. You will even need someone to wipe you after you go to the bathroom since you're not supposed to move your arms. So if your a shy person you might want to rethink it. She was back to normal in a month.

2. QUESTION:
   I want to ask about the recover process after having breast augmentation surgery.?
   My surgery date is in a couple wks..and , unfortunately it's over Labor Day wkend : ( and, I know it does depend on the individual and how much pain tolerance they have...but, I'm scared of how painful it may be..I have someone who will be there with me for at least the first 12 hours after the surgery, but I'll be on my own for the most part, being that my boyfriend works nights...I just need to know what to expect, and how I can tolerate the pain cause I'm planning to only take the pain med's at bedtime, since I don't want to be out of it all day.Also, am I able to drive within a day or two?

   • ANSWER:
     first of all, you will probably be needing the pain meds more than just at night because as any other operation, it is painful and uncomfortable. you will be sore and swollen and perhaps bruised a bit in your chest area. you will also be bound up with a bandage that wraps around your breasts for a few days, and will have to wear this 'bound' type of bandage for a week or two until your breasts become less swollen. you will not be able to raise your arms above your head for a few weeks, maybe even a month. you should be able to drive physically, but if you find you are using the pain meds more than just at night, you SHOULDNT drive since you could get cited for driving under the influence, so i would be a good judge of how 'messed up' you are from the pain meds before you drive. you may want to try ice packs on your breasts after surgery to help reduce the swelling. you also will need to be careful with showering if you go home with the bandages on, which you more than likely will. youll have to do more like a bath or a bedbath for a few days. you will need to keep the incisions very clean to prevent infection (soap and water is fine). otherwise, you are going to be very uncomofortable and i would suggest laying around the house for a few days, just relaxing and not doing anything too strenuous because it will make you more sore.

3. QUESTION:
   How much pain after breast lift and augmentation? When should I return to work?
   Hi ladies! I have done a lot of research already and have talked to my surgeon but would like some insight from women who have actually had this procedure before I made a definitive decision and put in for time off.

   I am having a breast lift and augmentation surgery in April and am wondering the following:

   1) How much pain I should expect (obviously everyone is different but just the opinions of anyone who has had this surgery, both lift AND augmentation together, would be great!). Also, how much help will I need with bathing/moving around; etc (so I can let my fiancee know what he's in for, haha)
   2) When I should realistically return to work after surgery.

   Here is some additional info incase it makes a difference....
   -The lift and augmentation(implants) will be done at the same time, it is a Bilateral mastopexy with augmentation.
   -I am already a small C cup (with slight assymetry which will be corrected) and will be going to a full D cup.
   -I have lost a significant amount of weight (115lbs) which is the reason for the lift so I have a good amount of skin and breast tissue, although I'm not sure if this will affect my amount of pain/recovery time.
   -Also, my job is relatively sedentary. I am a manager of a home for adults with DD and do mostly administrative work but also need to occasionally assist with hands on work (assiting with dressing residents, giving them showers; etc) and I am worried in case one of my residents bumps into me or tries to grab me or hug me too hard that I will be in a ton of pain or cause damage. I would obviously take it easy for the first month and not do as much physical stuff, but how long should I be worried about someone bumping into me or things like that?

   Any intelligent input would be appreciated, thank you!

   • ANSWER:
     Not feeling as perky as you’d like to feel in life, and in body? Considered the idea of Breast Enlargement procedures, but couldn’t justify the high prices? Then you’ve come to the right place! As an Elite Cosmetique Member, you can save up to 25% on Breast Augmentation (augmentation mammaplasty) through Elite Cosmetique’s Network of providers!

     Breast Augmentation (augmentation mammaplasty) is a procedure to enlarge the breasts with an implant. Important considerations in the augmentation include whether to use saline or cohesive gel implants, the location of the incision, and the size of the implant. Augmentation usually does not correct saggy breasts.

     Average Cost: ,500 to ,000
     Procedure Length: 1 to 2 hours
     In/Outpatient: Outpatient
     Anaesthesia: General or local with intravenous sedation
     Recovery Period: Back to work in 6 to 8 days. Vigorous activities in 3-4 weeks.
     Frequency of Treatment: Once based on need or desire for replacement
     Duration of Results: At least 10 to 15 years. Breast size and shape may change over time

     Hope this helps!

4. QUESTION:
   Breast Augmentation or breast lift?
   I am 18 years old and am looking to get plastic surgery on my breasts. I am a full 34 D and want to get surgery to get them lifted but in the process I do not want to go any smaller than a full D so I was thinking that I would need a breast augmentation. I am going to meet with a doctor soon but am wondering if anyone else has been in this situation. Did you have a lift and an augmentation done? If so what was your down time and what was your appox. cost for the procedure? Also, is there anything I should expect after surgery?

   Thanks
   I didn't ask for opinion answers, I just want answers from people who have gone through this. I want to be able to wear cute strapless tops or dresses or swim suits without feeling disgusting because my breasts sag so much because of the size. Who are you to tell me that I should just be happy with my breasts?

   • ANSWER:
     COST OF SURGERY 5K TO 8 K

5. QUESTION:
   What size were you after breast Reconstruction?
   My wife is having a mastectomy on Thursday (on the left). She is currently a DD. She is having lat dorsi platic reconstruction because she is only 31 and both times we have tried to start a family cancer has popped up and stopped it.

   Hopefully after this we can try again in a few years but because of the pregnancy hope in the future the tram or diep flap is out because of stretch risks. The lat dorsi is the next best option but is generally for smaller breasted women.

   We know that in 6 months she will have augmentation on the other breast but just wondered what your experiences were with sizing.

   What size were you before and then after?

   Any other personal expeiences on what to expect would also be helpful.

   Thanks very much, your answers mean a lot.

   • ANSWER:
     visit

     www.breastcancer.org

     there are pictures, support and tons of resources.
     theres a chat room for patients and survivors...and a bulliten board for questions about cancer that other patients can answer

     its a very helpful site !!!

6. QUESTION:
   Considering a breast augmentation?
   If I decide to have a boob job after my children are finished with my boobs what it is going to cost me and what it will do for me? I would like them a little perkier and slightly bigger maybe a large C, mostly I will need a lift and possibly have a nipple reduction. Is the nipple reduction a part of the procedure or is there an added cost? Is it common to have the nipple taken off and reattached? Does this lead to funny looking nipples--one going one way and the other going another? This really worries me. What sort of scars can I expect and how long before I can wear swimwear and such. Thanks

   • ANSWER:
     OK well i have ALOT of experience in this field...maybe to much.
     Breast aug will run you anywhere from 3,500-6,000 depending on where you live. cali is about 4,800-5,500 (thats where i live) keep in mind that is just for the implants not lifting, nipple reduction, etc.
     a lift if done with augmentation will cost you about another ,000-3,500. during the lift the typically cut an incision similar shape to an anchor on a ship and the nipple will be removed since it will need to be repositioned up higher since your breasts will be higher. For nipple reduction i would say add about ,000 to the total. but some doctors may through it in free if your total is already alot. your total will be around ,000 (if you live in a lower to middle class area. If you are in places like NY city or beverly hills id say 10k plus.

     this is who did mine and he is great. you probably dont live around here but go see before and afters and read about the procedures on his website. Also before choosing a surgeon see ATLEAST 3 for free consultations and see there before and after photos, who your more comfortable with etc...
     www.thebreastexpert.com

     MOST IMPORTANT MAKE SURE HE IS A BOARD CERTIFIED PLASTIC SURGEON!!!!!!!!!!! i cant stress that enough

7. QUESTION:
   For women who have had augmentation/plastic surgery...?
   I am having breast augmentation (implants) in February and am just wondering what to expect, pain, length of recovery...all that. I have a 13 month old daughter and was just wondering how hard it's going to be with that. My husband is going to be there, obviously but just wondering as a mother how hard it's going to be. I have spoke with one woman who said she was back to normal after a week and was able to pick her little one up, but I was just curious as to what your opinion was to it. Thanks for all answers.

   • ANSWER:
     i had mine done almost a year ago and i have a 4yr old son. It was actually quite a bit more painful then i expected and recovery was NOT fun! i couldnt really use my arms at all for a week or so, in fact i was pretty much useless and needed care for the first week or so. After that, i improved slowly but steadily. i think it was at least a month or two before i could hold my son. To prepare for this, try to limit picking up your daughter for about a week before surgery so that its not a sudden change to her.
     also, try to talk to your daughter about it before hand as best you can for her age because she should also be prepaed NOT to hug and squeeze mommy! Especially the first week, try to have your husband 'supervise' time with your daughter because if anything goes wrong or if she decides to crawl up on you, you wont be able to stop her.
     best of luck with it and just take it easy! sleep as much as you can while the pain is the worst!

8. QUESTION:
   Breast implants??
   I am getting breast augmentation in about a month or so, I would really like to know from someone who has gotten them what to expect. I am 20 years old and i am getting saline under the muscle. I just want to know what the day after surgery is like?

   • ANSWER:
     I'm about to be 20 y/o next month and I had them done in July of this year. I personally am very happy with my results. I made sure my surgeon knew exactly what I wanted because a lot of surgeons have a mind of their own about what looks good. I've heard of many women who woke up to a totally different size that what was discussed. Make sure you let him know you want no bigger or no smaller than ____. I have salines under the muscle. 320cc implants overfilled to 350cc and 360cc. I was previously a small to mid B cup. I am now a full C/baby D. I personally found the surgery to have no pain, only discomft. You're tight and extermely stiff. I don't remember much of the day of the surgery. I believe I slept a lot due to the anethesia. I of course, couldn't shower. Day 2, I saw my plastic surgeon and he removed the wrap and checked me out. I went home and had to have my BF help me shower and wash my hair. It was hard lifting my arms. I had the crease incision, under the breast. If you go through the armpit, you will definitely will not be able to lift up your arms at all. I'm not familiar with the belly button incision. The aeorola incision is more painful of course than the crease. If you go under the muscle, there's less chances of visible rippling. I have rippling. I had a lot of breast tissue to start off with too. It's just something that's pretty common. About 80% of women with implants have it. Fourtnately mine are not visible, only can be felt. There's also the chance of capsular contrancture which is a big deal. The scar tissue around the implants can tighten and frim, squeezing the implant, and causing it to feel horribly firm. If it's bad enough, it'll actually start to disfigure. Even though it's controversial, talk to your doctor about massaging. Most surgeons advise it. It helps to break down scar tissue and to keep the pockets open, so the implants have room to move around. Also I went back to work a week later. Stayed in a sports bra for 4 weeks. No heavy lifting or excercising for like 6 weeks. Best of luck. Oh and I dont know if you're into forums but the most beneficial one to me, where I learned the most about my implants was at www.breastimplants411.com. You'll need to create a user ID & password and it may possibly ask you to call in & verify yourself. That's because its very anti-men! Lol, well after that's done, click forum at the top then breast implant or augmentation discussion forum. You can browse the info, ask or answer questions. I LOVE that forum. The women are so nice and you really learn so much about what to expect from their at hand experience.

9. QUESTION:
   Period 15 days late negative HPT?
   My perios is NEVER been more than 1-2 days late, and thats even rare. I was due for a period 15 days ago. about a week before my expected period I was having pregnancy symptoms. I was very tired and sleepy,lower back pain some mild cramping headaches everyday for a week and a little sick to my stomach.My breast seem bigger and slightly tender but I had breast lift and augmentation in October. My breast are still some what numb and not 100% healed so I am unsure on how sore they are. About 5 days before my expected period, I got what I think was implantation bleeding. It was dark brown and just when I wiped and only for 2 days. Most of my symptoms went away and about 12 days after being late some started to come back. I am constipated. I remember my first pregnancy I was so constipated. I havent been taking any drugs, no birth control I am actually TTC.
   I was going to go to the doctor but they told me all they will do is urine and blood test, even though I requested a ultrasound they wont do it. They also told me at the clinic that the at home pregnancy test and blood and urine clinic tests have about the hormone sensitivity.
   Oh, Last test I took was on monday, the 13th. I am so scared it's going to be negative. Me and DH are saddened everytime its -. will take one tomorrow morning and will update!
   Took another test this morning... BFN.. starting to believe its an ectopic pregnancy...
   so here I am 19 days late.. but I finally started! I had hoped to be pregnant but I was starting to get worried and just wanted an answer. Now I got it. Saw doctor yesterday, said it was probably a chemical pregnancy.
   Well, back to trying next month!

   • ANSWER:
     i would still get a quantative hcg blood test done so that you know for sure whether or not your actually pregnant.