Whether you’re looking to increase the size of your bustline, correct asymmetrical breasts, or address drooping associated with breastfeeding and aging, a breast augmentation procedure can help address each of these issues.
A breast augmentation is a surgical treatment that uses implants to increase the fullness of the breasts, all while correcting symmetry and enhancing volume. Breast augmentation continues to be one of the most popular cosmetic procedures in the United States, with 290,000 surgeries performed in 2013 alone.
While patients are excited about undergoing their breast augmentation procedures, many still have questions about the recovery process. They wonder how long it will take to recover, what’s involved in the recovery process, and when they can return back to their normal routines.
There are many variables that can impact how long it takes to recover from a breast augmentation procedure. These variables can include:
- Surgical Technique: Many plastic surgeons choose different incision locations for placement of the breast implants. Incisions can be made around the areola (periareolar incision), underneath the bust (inframammary incision), or in the armpit (transaxillary incision). In addition to surgeon preference, incisions will be placed depending on the size of the implant.
- Placement of Implant: When the implant is placed above the pectoralis muscle, there is less discomfort associated with the recovery process. For this reason, patients tend to recover faster when implants are placed above the muscle. Implants that are placed below the pectoralis muscle tend to have more soreness, as the muscle has been moved to allow implant placement. Patients who undergo a breast augmentation operation typically need to take at least a week off of work.
- Pain Threshold: Some patients have a higher pain threshold than others, meaning they’re much more likely to return to work sooner rather than later. In general, many patients opt to take a week off of work; it’s recommended that patients refrain from physical activity for at least a month, no matter how recovered they might feel.
To learn if you’re an ideal candidate for a breast augmentation procedure, schedule a consultation with board certified plastic surgeon Dr. Katharine C. Nitta at her plastic surgery practice in Newport Beach, CA or call (949) 722-6644. Her plastic surgery office serves all of Orange, Los Angeles, and Riverside Counties.
