Size and type of implants have little to do with recovery time. It has more to do with proper patient selection, education and expectations by any plastic surgeon.

Published on Jul 11, 2012

Please visit the breast augmentation page on our website. We have a very detailed outline of the entire recovery process including pictures. You will find it very helpful. https://orangecountycosmeticsurgery.com/breast-augmentation/#healing - Just click the image and it will expand open to view in a larger format. It does not matter if its saline or silicone. What changes the healing time is whether the implants are placed over or under the muscle. Under the muscle takes longer but is by far the preferred method.

Published on Jul 11, 2012

Typical recovery is 7-10 days (however, this will vary from patient to patient as well as with technique-submuscular is more painful than subglandular).

In my practice, most patients will return to work at 1 week. Gym restrictions remain in place for one month. Heavy lifting and strenuous activity are discouraged for 6 weeks.

As always, discuss your concerns with a board-certified plastic surgeon (ABPS).

Published on Jul 11, 2012

Great question. This can be applied to just about anything medically related. Be it breast surgery, facelifts, even Botox, everyone reacts and behaves differently. Even the same patient with the same procedure can have different reactions and results from different days. So, the best we can do as your medical providers is offer you ranges of what we think is appropriate. For instance, I always tell patients "this is what I expect and have seen 90% of the time. Of course, there are instances where 5% of the time people heal better and faster and there are 5% of instances where people heal slower and have less of a result." Unfortunately, as much as we would love to 100% guarantee patients precision, that is unrealistic and the best we can do is put patients in the best possible scenario to have a great outcome.

Published on Jul 11, 2012

Implants should be placed submuscularly, and it hurts a bit more for a couple of days. My patients are back to work in 1-5 days (4-5 most often), with activity restrictions for 4 wks. The larger the implant, the more painful the recovery. But there is no difference in healing time, be it silicone or saline.

Published on Jul 11, 2012

This depends upon your surgeon. The gold standard, as published by John Tebbetts over 10 years ago and as taught by Bill Adams, myself, and some others, is a 24-hour return to normal activity. Patients shower the night of surgery, drive in two days, go to work in three or four days, and exercise without restriction at three weeks. It makes no difference on the type or size of implant or the incision.

Doctors unfamiliar with this method will say it is not possible. But it has been published in peer-reviewed journals and I have taught it for many years. Students often email me to say that they couldn't believe it would work but that it does.

Why does everyone not do it? I don't think they believe it is possible. Or maybe they don't want to relearn things. I wish i knew the answer.

Published on Jul 11, 2012

The time for recovery is not affected by the type of implants you choose--either saline or silicone. In our practice, Dr. Stein uses both saline and silicone and places them under the muscle. For three days, our patients use pain pumps to alleviate discomfort. There are some restrictions for the first week, but only very few thereafter. Though it will take several months for the implants to completely settle in, you can do practically anything you want--all activities and sports.

Published on Jul 11, 2012

Recovery after breast augmentation typically is not very difficult. Most of our patients feel reasonably comfortable right after surgery, assuming they take their pain medication for a few days. Most of our patients drive a car and can resume "office" type of work within 4-5 days. Obviously, as with any surgery, returning to the gym can take a few weeks.

The recovery does not depend on the type of implants, although very large implant can feel somewhat uncomfortable for a longer period of time. The recovery does depend more on surgical technique of each individual surgeon.

Published on Jul 11, 2012

I recommend my patients refrain from heavy activity for at least two weeks, but they can do light activity within a couple of days. You should check with your plastic surgeon for his recommendations!

Published on Jul 11, 2012

Thank you for asking. Recovery times are mostly the same, but implant settling may take longer with larger implants. There are minor differences between patients and techniques. Best wishes!

Published on Jul 11, 2012

Thank you for your question. Yes, every patient's recovery differs, but we do have general information on our website about breast surgery recovery. No, I do not believe the recovery is different for saline vs. silicone gel breast implants.

Published on Jul 11, 2012

Recovery is not dependent on the type of implant. Going under the muscle will usually require a little more in the way of pain meds and recovery. After 4 to 5 weeks, you can do anything.

Published on Jul 11, 2012