After Breast Augmentation Surgery

When your breast implant placement surgery is complete, you will probably awake feeling very tired, groggy, and sore. As the anesthesia wears off, you may experience some other side effects that are common after breast enlargement surgery.

Breast Implant Surgery Side Effects

Unlike complications, which are things that can go wrong, side effects are part of the natural healing process and are to be expected. The following conditions are normal, to some degree, and will subside over time. To manage pain after breast augmentation surgery, your doctor will provide prescriptions and instructions on how to take them.

Settling

Breast implants, especially when placed submuscularly, require several weeks or even months after the breast augmentation surgery to settle into their permanent position. The skin and muscle must stretch somewhat to make room for the implants. In the meantime, your breasts may not look as natural as you’d hoped. They may look too tight, too high, or too rounded for the first several weeks until the surrounding tissues begin to relax and accommodate the new implant. If you are concerned about your results, discuss them with your surgeon, but be sure to give your body time to heal before making any decisions about the outcome.

Swelling

Swelling is very common following any type of surgery and breast augmentation surgery is no exception. The combination of increased volume from the breast implant and swelling from surgery may cause your breasts to feel large, heavy, and tight. Wearing your supportive surgical garments as instructed will help. The swelling can also extend downward into the abdominal area. This is not uncommon and is nothing to worry about. Sleeping in a reclining position may help swelling to subside more quickly.

Bruising

Breast augmentation surgery may or may not cause bruising. Depending on the size of the breast implant and the way it was placed during surgery, some mild bruising may occur. Rarely, this bruising can extend down to the abdomen. While this is uncommon, it is not considered a complication. However, if you have any large, firm, painful areas of bruising, contact your doctor. This may be a hematoma, which is a more serious type of bruise and will need treatment. Normal bruising should subside in one to two weeks.

Nipple Sensation

It is not uncommon after breast augmentation surgery for the nipples to become either very sensitive or numb. This change in sensation is due to disturbance of the nerve pathways during the surgery and is usually temporary. It may last for a few days or months, but in a small percentage of patients, it is permanent.

Pain Control

The pain experienced after breast augmentation surgery is most often described as mild to moderate. Patients should take pain medication as directed by their surgeon. Pain will diminish rapidly during the first few days after surgery and continue to improve as the skin and muscles stretch to accommodate the implants.

Itching

Breast augmentation surgery causes a lot of stretching of the skin. While the stretched out skin grows to accommodate the new volume of the breasts, it tends to itch quite a bit. Sometimes lotion will help alleviate this side effect, but be careful not to get any on the incision site. Be sure to check with your surgeon to see what type of anti-itching medications or ointments you may be able to use.

Scars

Breast augmentation surgery will leave scars. There is no way to prevent this. The best way to minimize the appearance of the scar is to have it placed in an inconspicuous location and allow your incision to heal properly by avoiding infection, stretching, or trauma to the incision site. On average, it can take up to a year for a scar to take on its final appearance. Various topical medications are available to help patients minimize the appearance of their scars. Consult your cosmetic surgeon as to the best method of scar treatment.

Infection

Infection is caused by the introduction of bacteria into the body through the incision. Signs of an infection include redness, localized swelling, warmth, and tenderness. Fever may also be present, but not in all cases. Most infections can be cleared with antibiotics, but in serious cases, the breast implant may require surgery to be removed while the body fights the infection. Before your breast augmentation surgery, be sure to discuss the signs of an infection and how to prevent one with your surgeon.

Constipation

Pain medication taken after breast augmentation surgery can trigger constipation. This does not affect everyone, but you should discuss this possibility with your surgeon before your procedure, as well as what kind of remedies you should have on hand.

Find a Breast Augmentation Surgeon in Your Area

To learn more about what to expect after having a breast augmentation through implant surgery, find a cosmetic surgeon in your area. DocShop includes a comprehensive physician directory to help you find the right surgeon for you.