After the breast implants procedure – what to expect

Breast enlargement patients in Perth will be mobile immediately and can resume driving, light activities and light exercise such as walking with two weeks. They can usually return to normal activities and exercise within four to six weeks after breast augmentation surgery. Most patients are recommended to take around one to two weeks off work after the breast augmentation surgery depending on the physical demands of their job.

Whilst breast augmentation scars are not completely predictable, most are barely visible and easily concealed in time.  They may appear pink and slightly thickened for a few weeks to months after the breast augmentation surgery but will usually fade to be pale and soft by around three to six months.  Their final appearance may take up to eighteen months to achieve.  Most patients experience very minimal scarring in the longer term.

Risks of breast augmentation

All surgical procedures carry some risks, and plastic surgery procedures such as breast augmentation are no exception. These are discussed in detail during the consultation and a written list of the main things to consider will usually be given at the initial consultation.

Some of the risks include:

  • Changes in nipple or breast sensation may occur but are usually temporary.
  • Breast implants do not affect pregnancy or significantly change the ability to breast-feed.
  • After a breast implant is inserted, a scar capsule forms around it.

This is normal and is part of the natural healing process. In some patients, the capsule may become thicker and contracted.  This may compress the implant resulting in a breast which feels firmer than normal. If this capsular contracture is severe, it may cause discomfort and significant distortion of the breast’s appearance. In these cases, additional surgery may be needed to modify or remove scar tissue, or perhaps remove and replace the breast implant.  This process usually takes years to see.  The risk is usually about 10% at the 10-year mark after surgery.

  • Breast implants can make performing and reading mammograms technically difficult. Placement of the breast implant underneath the pectoralis muscle may interfere less with mammographic examination.
  • Pregnancy can alter breast size in an unpredictable way and could affect the long-term results of breast surgery

Breast Augmentation FAQs

Can I drink after breast augmentation surgery?

No, it is very dangerous to drink alcohol while you’re recovering from breast augmentation surgery. During your recovery, you will be required to take prescription painkillers and antibiotics.

Combining alcohol with this medication doesn’t just impact the effectiveness of your medication which will hamper your recovery; it can be dangerous because it can lead to side effects like extreme drowsiness and accidental overdose.

Avoid alcohol until your surgeon says it’s safe to drink again, and focus on eating clean and hydrating so that your body heals.

As your body recovers from breast surgery, swelling is one of the effects that you’re going to experience. It will subside in the weeks following the procedure. You can get some much needed relief by applying a cold compress to the area, and avoid putting any strain on your back and your breasts. Rest and let your body heal.

Absolutely.  There have been many studies that demonstrate that silicone and breast implants are safe.  That doesn’t mean that they can’t have complications such as infection, extrusion, rupture, capsular contracture or even rare cancers such as ALCL.  Some patients have described symptoms of chronic fatigue, auto-immune dysfunction, pain and discomfort in a collection of symptoms that has become known as “Breast Implant Illness”.  Whilst medical science has not yet found a reason for this, it is possible that rare patients do have an adverse foreign body response to either the implants or their bodies reaction to something in or on the implants.  Many of these patients feel better after removal of their implants, with or without capsulectomies.

This is unknown.  Modern devices don’t have a use by date but it is expected that they may last decades.  It is however, likely that most patients with implants will require some form of revision of the implants, including implant exchange every 10-15 years.  Implants should generally be monitored with ultrasound scans on an annual basis from the 7th or 8th year after implantation.

Yes.  There is no evidence that breast augmentation interferes with breast feeding.

Whilst most cases of capsular contracture occur many years after breast augmentation, early capsular contracture (Within 1-2 years) may occur in some patients though this is rare.  The majority of cases occur after 8-10 years

Synmastia/symmastia is where the breasts meet excessively in the midline.  In some severe cases they are joined so that it is difficult to see where one breast ends and the other starts.  This usually occurs after excessive dissection between the breasts allowing breazst implants tpo meet in the midline.

Time.  It takes around 1-3 month for the swelling to settle.  Wearing a firm compression garment may help to accelerate this.

It depends on the size of the implants relative to the natural breasts.  Generally larger implants in smaller breasts take longer to recover.  Most patients are physically comfortable within 1-2 weeks.  Some take longer.  It can take up to 6 months for the breasts to adopt their final stable shape.

Pain is usually mild to moderate.  Tight feeling may last two weeks. Pain in muscles with activity/exercise may last 6 weeks. Implants will initially seem high but will drop with time.  Skin at the lower pole often feels too tight until it relaxes and stretches allowing the implants to drop into the lower pole.  May take three to 6 months.

Getting breast augmentation surgery in Perth

If you are considering breast augmentation, you should visit a specialist plastic surgeon certified by the Australian Society of Plastic Surgeons. Dr Mark Hanikeri is a fellow of ASPS, and has many years of experience helping women achieve their desired plastic surgery outcome. To find out more, or to request a consultation, please contact us today.