Recovering from Breast Enlargement in Miami, Fort Lauderdale & South Florida

You've taken the time and spent the money to have breast implant surgery, so take the time to follow it through by taking good care of yourself while your body heals. Your recovery is key to a successful operation. Following post-operative instructions will minimize the risk of complications and will help to ensure that your body reacts in the most positive way to its new changes. Follow your surgeon's post-operative care guide and you will be investing in your own health and wellbeing.

This page is divided into two sections: what to do in the first 48 hours after surgery and what to do in the days and weeks following your surgery.

In the First 48 Hours

Have someone to help you. Because you will have been sedated and under anesthesia, you are not allowed (or able) to drive yourself home after surgery. You will need someone to drive you home. On top of that, you need a friend or family member to stay with you for the first 24 hours after surgery. Believe us when we say that you need someone there with you. And, please, make sure it is a supportive person who will be there to help you, not someone who will criticize you for choosing to have elective surgery.

Take it easy

Little activity and no driving. Give yourself the gift of rest. Do not expect or plan to do any activity for the first 48 hours. Even watching TV might be too taxing for you. Plan on taking it very easy. In fact, plan on doing nothing those first two days. Driving is out of the question. After having a surgery that affects your arm and chest mobility it is not safe or smart for you to drive. So don't.

Go easy on food and abstain from drinking and smoking

What you put in your body after surgery is very important. Surgery and anesthesia can leave you with a sensitive stomach for a couple of days. Be prepared to eat bland, simple-to-digest foods. If you experience after-surgery nausea we suggest having carbonated beverages and crackers. Do not drink alcohol and do not smoke cigarettes. Drinking alcohol can interfere with medications you will be taking. Alcohol can also increase post-operative bleeding, which can cause complications. So, no drinking until you have finished your medication. Smoking reduces your body's ability to receive much needed oxygen, which is oh so important to healing. Do not smoke for a minimum of two weeks after surgery.

Follow medical instructions

Follow your doctor's instructions to a T. Take medications as directed. Keep your dressings (in this case your postoperative bra) as clean and dry as possible. Do not remove dressing until the doctor says you can. No showering or bathing for two days. Attend your follow-up appointment.

Special Care for Breast Augmentation Recovery

Sleep on your back

Seven days. This is important for breast placement and positioning.

Avoid heavy lifting, straining and activity

Fourteen days (minimum). This will minimize strain on your sutures and breast positioning, helping to minimize scarring or complications. Give your body time to heal: take it easy. You can take simple walks a few days after surgery. Do not return to aerobic exercise for three weeks. If you lift weights, ask your doctor for an appropriate time to resume that activity.

Wear your postoperative bra

Four weeks. Your postoperative bra acts as the "dressing" to your new breast implants. The bra will support the implants and keep your breasts in perfect position. You need to wear the bra 24/7 for the four weeks (removing it only to bathe). You may start to wear a "normal bra" after four weeks avoiding underwire bras as they may be uncomfortable.

Take care of your sutures

Ten to twenty days. Your sutures will dissolve within ten to twenty days after your surgery.If your surgeon used traditional sutures they will be taken out at your first weeks post-operative appointment. You can take a shower or a bath the second day after surgery. Do not allow your sutures to soak in the water - minimize water contact at these sites. Do not wear your bra into the bath or shower. Protect the suture and scar area from sunlight, which can worsen scarring.

Wait to drive a car

Four to six days with power steering. Your arm and chest muscles may be very sore or not strong enough to drive your car. Wait a minimum of four to six days after surgery before driving your car.

The key to a healthy recovery is rest, rest, rest, and rest. Combine this with taking it easy and remember to follow all post-operative instructions. The more time you give yourself to heal, the better your healing experience will be. So give yourself time to sleep, to relax, to heal and to repair. Do not expect yourself to heal faster than others. Instead, be gentle with yourself, giving yourself the gift of healing and regeneration.