Breast Augmentation

What to expect after surgery

As with any surgery, after you undergo breast augmentation surgery, you will feel some pain and tenderness around the area. Your breasts may be bound with bandages, and your doctor may recommend you wear a tight support bra. It is not unusual for women to say they feel as if they were struck or hit in the chest.

Common post-operative effects

• Pain (usually days 2 and 3 are the worst)
• Bloating
• Itching
• Nipple sensitivity
• Fatigue
• Soreness

Pain

This is to be expected after any operation and should subside fairly quickly. If pain does not show signs of reducing after a couple of days, then further investigation is required. Sometimes the pain continues, but no cause can be found. The incidence of continued breast pain is around 5% over 3 years.

Swelling and bruising

It is a natural bodily response to swell to some degree when it is cut, and this is part of the healing process. A few days after surgery, there should be signs of swelling reducing. If swelling does not reduce then it is probably due to an underlying problem that should be investigated further. Bruising is to be expected, again this should show signs of healing fairly quickly.

• Depending on the individual you will experience a certain amount of pain or tenderness, swelling and bruising. This usually resolves itself over time; if it does not, you should seek medical attention.
• Your recovery time could vary enormously depending on many factors, but can be anywhere between a matter of weeks up to many months.
• You should have regular follow-ups with your surgeon to check progress. While the surgeon should make every effort to minimize scarring, you do need to discuss this possibility with him or her.
• Any surgical procedure carries with it risks; it is essential that a qualified surgeon explains these risks to you. Your surgeon should make sure that you fully understand all the possible risks before embarking on breast augmentation, or any other type of surgery.

If there are any aspects of the procedure or medical terminology you do not understand, you should always ask for a satisfactory and complete explanation.