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Breast Enlargement Surgery: What to Expect at Home

Your Recovery

In breast enlargement surgery, the doctor makes the breasts larger by putting an implant under the breast tissue or under the chest muscle. An implant is a soft silicone shell filled with a saltwater solution or a gel. After the surgery you will probably feel weak. You may feel sore for 2 to 3 weeks, and you'll likely have a lot of swelling. You may have a pulling or stretching feeling in your breast area. You can expect to feel better and stronger each day, although you may need pain medicine for a week or two. You may get tired easily or have less energy than usual. This may last for several weeks after surgery.

If your doctor closed your incisions with removable stitches, the stitches will be taken out in 7 to 14 days.

Your new breasts may feel firmer and look rounder. The skin on your breasts may be numb. It should get better with time. You may have some permanent loss of feeling in the nipple area.

This care sheet gives you a general idea about how long it will take for you to recover. But each person recovers at a different pace. Follow the steps below to get better as quickly as possible.

How can you care for yourself at home?

Activity

Rest when you feel tired. Getting enough sleep will help you recover.
For about 4 to 6 weeks, avoid lifting anything that would make you strain. This may include heavy grocery bags and milk containers, a heavy briefcase or backpack, cat litter or dog food bags, a vacuum cleaner, or a child. Do not lift anything over your head for 2 to 3 weeks.
Ask your doctor when you can drive again.
Ask your doctor when it is okay for you to have sex.
You can take your first shower the day after surgery if you do not have a drain near your incision. If you have a drain, you can shower the day after it is removed. This is usually in a few days. Do not take a bath or soak in a hot tub for about 4 weeks.
Sleep on your back with your head and shoulders raised with a pillow. This will help keep your implants in place and prevent them from slipping or shifting.
You will probably be able to go back to work or your normal routine in 1 to 2 weeks. This depends on the type of work you do and any further treatment.

Diet

You can eat your normal diet. If your stomach is upset, try bland, low-fat foods like plain rice, broiled chicken, toast, and yogurt.
Drink plenty of fluids (unless your doctor tells you not to).
You may notice that your bowel movements are not regular right after your surgery. This is common. Try to avoid constipation and straining with bowel movements. Take a fibre supplement. If you have not had a bowel movement after a couple of days, take a mild laxative.

Medicines

Your doctor will tell you if and when you can restart your medicines. Your doctor will also give you instructions about taking any new medicines.
If you stopped taking aspirin or some other blood thinner, your doctor will tell you when to start taking it again.
Take pain medicines exactly as directed.
- If the doctor gave you a prescription medicine for pain, take it as prescribed.
- If you are not taking a prescription pain medicine, ask your doctor if you can take an over-the-counter medicine.
If you think your pain medicine is making you sick to your stomach:
- Take your medicine after meals (unless your doctor has told you not to).
- Ask your doctor for a different pain medicine.
If you were given medicine for nausea, take it as directed.
If your doctor prescribed antibiotics, take them as directed. Do not stop taking them just because you feel better. You need to take the full course of antibiotics.

Incision care

If your doctor gave you specific instructions on how to care for your incision, follow those instructions.
You may be wearing a tight elastic bandage after the surgery. Your doctor will tell you when you can switch to wearing a special bra. You will need to wear the bra all the time for several weeks, except when taking a shower.
Ask your doctor when it is okay to wear an underwire bra. Consider buying a larger bra. Your old bra will be too small and can put too much pressure on the healing incision.
If you have strips of tape on your incision, leave the tape on for a week or until it falls off. Or follow your doctor's instructions for removing the tape.
Wash the area daily with warm water, and pat it dry. Don't use hydrogen peroxide or alcohol, which can slow healing. If you have a drain, gently clean the area daily with water. You will be able to shower once the drain has been removed.
Keep the area clean and dry.

Exercise

Try to walk each day. Start by walking a little more than you did the day before. Bit by bit, increase the amount you walk. Walking boosts blood flow and helps prevent pneumonia and constipation.
Avoid strenuous activities, such as bicycle riding, jogging, weight lifting, or aerobic exercise, until your doctor says it is okay.
Your doctor will tell you when to begin stretching exercises and normal activities.

Other instructions

You may have one or more drains near your incision. Your doctor will tell you how to take care of them.

Follow-up care is a key part of your treatment and safety. Be sure to make and go to all appointments, and call your doctor or nurse advice line (811 in most provinces and territories) if you are having problems. It's also a good idea to know your test results and keep a list of the medicines you take.

When should you call for help?

Call 911 anytime you think you may need emergency care. For example, call if:

You passed out (lost consciousness).
You have sudden chest pain and shortness of breath, or you cough up blood.

Call your doctor or nurse advice line now or seek immediate medical care if:

You have pain that does not get better after you take pain medicine.
You have loose stitches, or your incision comes open.
You are bleeding from the incision.
You have signs of infection, such as:
- Increased pain, swelling, warmth, or redness.
- Red streaks leading from the incision.
- Pus draining from the incision.
- A fever.
You have signs of a blood clot in your leg, such as:
- Pain in your calf, back of the knee, thigh, or groin.
- Redness and swelling in your leg or groin.

Watch closely for any changes in your health, and be sure to contact your doctor or nurse advice line if:

You are not getting better as expected.

Where can you learn more?

Go to https://www.healthwise.net/patientEd

Enter B073 in the search box to learn more about "Breast Enlargement Surgery: What to Expect at Home".

Care instructions adapted under license by your healthcare professional. If you have questions about a medical condition or this instruction, always ask your healthcare professional. Healthwise, Incorporated disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information.