How Painful is Breast Augmentation Recovery?

Posted July 30, 2024 in Breast Procedures

Close-up photo of a woman with bandages around her breasts and her hands cupping the bottom of her right breast.

Breast augmentation remains one of the most popular cosmetic surgeries. Yet many people considering this procedure question how painful the surgery and recovery may be. This blog discusses pain during recovery from breast augmentation, including factors that influence the level of pain you may experience and ways to make your recovery as pain-free as possible.

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Will My Breast Augmentation Recovery Be Painful?

Breast augmentation consistently ranks among the most popular cosmetic surgeries available, with over 300,000 breast augmentations performed last year. Yet potential patients are often concerned about the pain and discomfort associated with breast augmentation surgery and its recovery. It’s important to note that individual experiences with pain and discomfort can vary. While breast augmentation procedures are performed using general anesthesia, so the surgery itself doesn’t hurt, you will experience some pain and discomfort during your recovery—the question is, to what degree?

What Factors Influence Pain Levels During Breast Augmentation Recovery?

Individual Pain Tolerance

People sometimes say they have a high pain tolerance. But what does that actually mean, and why do some people have a higher tolerance for pain than others? Pain tolerance is influenced by several things, including genetics, lifestyle, and even mental health. Certain people may be genetically predisposed to feel less pain, making their recovery easier. People with healthier lifestyles (like exercising regularly) may experience less pain than those who smoke or are obese. Other factors that affect a person’s pain tolerance include stress, chronic health issues, and age.

Even your expectation of pain may make it worse. For example, suppose you had a difficult surgical experience in the past, or someone has told you that their breast augmentation recovery was painful. Under those circumstances, you may subconsciously increase your level of discomfort because you’ve created an expectation that your recovery will be painful.

Size and Type of Breast Implants

The size of your implants may affect your pain level during recovery for several reasons. First, larger implants weigh more, which will take some time to adjust to. Second, larger implants may stretch your skin, which can also cause some discomfort during recovery.

Implant type also plays a part in pain levels. Saline implants may make your recovery a bit more comfortable as they are less dense than silicone implants.

Breast Implant Placement

You have three options to choose from when deciding where you’d like your breast implants to be placed: submuscular (under the pectoral muscle), subglandular (under the natural breast tissue but above the pectoral muscle), and dual-plane (partially over and partially under the pectoral muscle). Each breast implant placement has its advantages, and the placement of your implants will depend on your preference and your surgeon’s recommendations.

Patients often choose submuscular and dual-plane placement because they give the implants a more natural appearance. However, because the pectoral muscle must be manipulated to place the implant, these options may cause more discomfort during recovery than subglandular placement.

Pre-existing Conditions

If you have pre-existing health conditions that manifest with chronic pain, your breast augmentation recovery may be more painful than it is for those without those conditions. You may experience pain differently and respond differently to medication, making pain management more difficult. Your body often perceives surgery as trauma, so that may throw you into a flare-up of symptoms associated with your condition that will affect your comfort level during recovery.

On the other hand, you may also have an easier recovery because of your chronic pain issues. You may already have a tried and true pain management regimen that you can continue as you recover, and the extra rest as you heal may alleviate any additional symptoms you may encounter.

Methods of Pain Management

Having a plan in place to manage any pain or discomfort during your breast augmentation recovery can be one of the best ways to keep yourself as comfortable as possible during the healing process.

Pain Medication: Ensuring that you have prescription and over-the-counter pain medication close at hand and following a strict schedule of dosing can keep pain at bay.
Elevating Your Upper Body: Keeping your upper body elevated can help minimize swelling and reduce pain.
Cold Compresses: Applying a cold compress for 15–20 minutes at a time can help reduce swelling and bruising.
Compression Garments: Wearing a supportive compression garment will help apply even pressure across the treatment area, which will help prevent fluid buildup.
Resting: During the beginning of your recovery, you should rest and be gentle with your body. It’s important that you do not return to regular activities before your body is ready. Your surgeon will provide postoperative instructions on which activities you should do and which you should avoid during your recovery.
Follow Postoperative Instructions: Following all your surgeon’s postoperative instructions will help keep your pain to a minimum.

Where You Are in the Recovery Process

The first few days after your breast augmentation surgery are typically the most painful, as swelling and bruising generally are at their peak. However, as the swelling dissipates and your body adjusts to your new shape, your pain and soreness will gradually lessen. This gradual reduction in pain is a hopeful sign of your body’s healing process. Most patients can return to work after about two weeks. By this time, you can expect that any pain you experience is mostly gone or easily alleviated by over-the-counter medications.

Learn More About Breast Augmentation in Beverly Hills, CA

While your recovery from any surgical procedure will come with pain (that’s simply the nature of surgery), you can make it easier and more comfortable by being as prepared as possible. Asking questions at your consultation, being honest about your medical history, and following your surgeon’s post-op instructions are all ways to help minimize pain as you heal from breast augmentation. The benefits of breast augmentation, such as enhanced self-confidence and a more proportionate figure, will make the journey to recovery worth it.

To learn more about the advantages of breast augmentation, schedule a consultation with board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Josef Hadeed. Dr. Hadeed is highly trained and experienced in breast augmentation and will put your mind at ease, offering support throughout the process and the stunning results you desire. Schedule an appointment with Dr. Hadeed by calling (310) 970-2940 or completing the online contact form.