Recovery and Maintenance Tips After Breast Implant Surgery

Breast augmentation is one of the most commonly performed plastic surgery procedures in the U.S. According to ASPS statistics, member surgeons performed nearly 300,000 breast augmentation procedures in 2023. The procedure involves using breast implants to enhance the size and shape of the breasts, enhancing a woman’s appearance and confidence. While breast implant surgery in NYC is performed by skilled surgeons and customized to your goals, proper aftercare matters for smooth recovery and optimal results. Let’s take a look at what you can do to speed healing and maintain your outcomes.

Breast Implant Surgery Recovery Tips

Equipped with clear and detailed information about the postoperative period, you’ll be ready to rest, recover, and fully enjoy your new breasts. Here are some tips for recovering from breast implant surgery:

• Rest: Make sure to get enough sleep and rest in a quiet room.
• Avoid heavy lifting: Avoid lifting anything heavy for 4–6 weeks, including heavy bags, briefcases, and vacuum cleaners.
• Sleep on your back: Sleep on a comfortable bed, with your head and shoulders raised with pillows to keep your implants in place.
• Gently wash the incision site and pat the incision dry. Don’t apply lotions, oils, or creams.
• Wear a supportive bra: Wear a supportive bra or compression garment. This is important to support the implant and to reduce swelling. Depending on the stage of your recovery, there may be different types of bras that are suited for that point of time.
• Avoid smoking and vaping: Smoking and vaping can delay healing and increase complications. While nicotine decreases blood flow to the healing tissues and leads to complications, vaping can cause inflammation and pain.
• Eat healthy: Include foods that help with healing and recovery in your diet such as protein and fiber-rich foods, seafood, fruit and vegetables and probiotic foods. Restrict intake of sale and sugary foods. Eat healthy snacks that promote healing.
• Stay hydrated: Drink plenty of water to help with swelling and prevent constipation. Avoid carbonated and caffeinated drinks. Patients are also advised to avoid alcohol for at least a week before and after surgery.
• Take pain medication: Take the pain medication prescribed by your surgeon.
• Return to physical activity slowly: After about two weeks, you can gradually increase your mobility and light movement.
• Massage: Based on your surgeon’s advice, you can perform breast massage to reduce scarring.
• Don’t drive until your surgeon clears it.
• Keep your follow-up appointments.

As you recover, following your surgeon’s instructions and these tips can help healthy recovery. Inform your surgeon if you experience soreness, swelling, or bruising, fever or other untoward symptoms. Breast cancer risk exists regardless of implants, so continue regular self-exams and report any changes to your physician. It may take time for your implants to settle, and changes in appearance and feel are normal. Ensure you have annual check-ups and inform mammogram technicians about your implants for proper imaging.

Choose a Skilled Plastic Surgeon

If you are considering breast implant surgery in NYC, find a plastic surgeon experienced in performing the procedure. Schedule a consultation to address all your questions, and be sure to follow your surgeon’s pre- and post-operative recommendations closely.