Breast augmentation recovery varies for each patient. Breast enlargement options like breast implant placement will influence the length and nature of your recovery. Our plastic surgery team will be available to you throughout your recovery if you have questions or concerns.

If you are considering breast augmentation near Atlanta, Georgia, we encourage you to schedule a consultation with our plastic surgeons at Marietta Plastic Surgery. Our surgeons can explain what you can expect from recovery, so you can prepare accordingly.

What to Expect after Breast Augmentation

The healing process will take place during the month or so after your surgery. Although your experience may differ, you can generally expect:

  • Soreness and swelling for as long as a few weeks.
  • To return to work within a few days to a week.
  • To return to work within a few weeks if your job involves intensive physical duties, such as heavy lifting.
  • To avoid strenuous exercise and activities for two weeks and no heavy lifting for four to six weeks.

Immediately after your breast augmentation, we will make sure you recover properly from anesthesia before releasing you, and you will have been provided post-operative instructions. A responsible person must pick you up from your appointment and stay with you for at least 24 hours. During this time, it is important to walk around periodically to avoid the development of blood clots in your legs. You should be able to walk and move about immediately after you recover from anesthesia.

Final Results

At first, your breasts may appear quite swollen. Swelling will dissipate over the weeks following. Also, your breasts may appear high on your chest. This high position of the breast implants is normal, and the implants will descend gradually.

The majority of swelling should disappear within six weeks; however, you may experience very subtle changes in shape and swelling for several months, at which point your final results will be visible.

Breast augmentation does leave a scar at the incision site. These incisions will be placed in the most inconspicuous way possible. At first, your scar will be pink. During the year following your surgery, the scar will get lighter, but will not go away completely.

Breast implants do not last forever. Like other medical devices, they tend to degrade over time, making them more susceptible to rupture as the years go by. If your breast implants rupture or some other complication arises, they will need to be replaced.

If you live in or around Atlanta, Marietta, or Woodstock, Georgia and are interested in breast augmentation, please contact Marietta Plastic Surgery to schedule a consultation with one of our experienced plastic surgeons.