Recovery: What to Expect After Breast Augmentation Surgery

• Surgical Pain – This is the most common type of pain and is a direct result of the surgical procedure. You may feel a throbbing or aching sensation around the incision sites and within the breast tissue. This pain is usually most intense during the first few days and gradually subsides over the first week. Tips for surgical pain – prescribed medication, rest and hydration are key to help surgical pain
• Muscle Pain – If the implants were placed under the chest muscle, or dual plane, you might experience muscle pain or tightness. This is because the muscles need to stretch and accommodate the new implants. Muscle pain can persist for a few weeks but should gradually improve. Some people describe this pain as heavy or an “elephant sitting on their chest”. Tips for muscle pain – muscle relaxants may have been prescribed and can be taken if necessary, but realise this is a normal sensation and will reduce over the coming days.
• Nerve Pain – Some patients experience sharp, shooting pains or a tingling sensation in the breast area. The breasts or nipples may become overly sensitive to touch, temperature, or clothing. This occurs as the nerves begin to heal and regenerate. Nerve pain can vary in intensity and duration but typically diminishes over a few months. Tips for nerve pain – hot or cold compression can help.
• Swelling and Bruising –  Swelling and bruising are common post-surgery. Swelling can cause a feeling of tightness and discomfort in the chest area. Bruising can also contribute to tenderness. Both should decrease significantly within a few weeks. Tips for swelling – walking and going about your light to moderate everyday activities helps with swelling and bruising.

• Heaviness or Fullness: A sensation of heaviness or fullness in the breasts is common as your body adjusts to the added weight of the implants. It may feel like the implants are not pat of your body yet. This usually diminishes as your muscles and tissues adapt.
• Warmth or Heat: It’s not unusual to feel warmth or a mild increase in temperature around the breasts due to increased blood flow during healing. This should not be confused with signs of infection, which would include redness, severe pain, and fever.
• Hypersensitivity: The breasts or nipples may become overly sensitive to touch, temperature, or clothing. This hypersensitivity is a common part of the healing process and usually improves with time.
• Gurgling or Sloshing Sounds: Some patients notice gurgling or sloshing sounds in their breasts, especially when moving or pressing on the area. This is due to small air pockets or fluid around the implant and is dissipate within a few days to weeks.
• Popping Sensations: You might feel a popping or crackling sensation as the air bubbles shift or get absorbed by the body. This can be alarming, but it’s generally harmless and should subside within a few days to weeks.

• Follow up appointment – You will have a follow-up visit to check your healing progress and address any concerns post surgery. You will also have virtual check-ins from MINKST.
• Pain management – You may need prescription pain medication for the first few days although we have a lot of patients taking paracetamol only (see our MINKST Recovery Technique). Pain should begin to decrease after the first few days and taking paracetamol only should be expected.
• Limited activity – Rest is crucial. Avoid strenuous activities and follow your doctor / surgeon’s instructions regarding movement and lifting restrictions.
• How they may look – At this period your breasts will be very swollen, especially at the upper part. They will feel firm and nipples may be pointing downward. You may also notice in the coming days some asymmetry – one may sit higher than the other one – this is normal and will typically rectify over the coming weeks.

Weeks 2-4

• Gradual Increase in Activity – You can slowly resume light activities but avoid heavy lifting and strenuous exercise.
• Pain and Discomfort – Most pain should be manageable with minimal or no medication, and swelling should continue to decrease.
• How they may look – Swelling will still be present and similarly some asymmetry but you should notice them gradually getting softer and dropping a little lower (upper pole fullness reduces sightly and lower pole fullness increases).

Months 1-3

• Follow up appointment – You will have a follow-up visit to check your healing progress.
• Full Activity – By the end of the third month, most patients can resume all normal activities, including exercise, as advised by their doctor / surgeon.
• Final Results – Your implants will settle into their final position by about month 3, and any swelling should resolve.

Ongoing

MINKST is available at any time to discuss your recovery and any concerns. We can arrange additional consultations with your doctor / surgeon beyond what is scheduled if required.