Breast augmentation with the team at The Plastic Surgery Group can give you the voluptuous chest you dream of. Though modern techniques and technologies have helped speed up the breast augmentation recovery process, you will still need to take it easy and modify some of your behaviors as you recuperate. As you plan for your procedure, it’s a good idea to know what is off-limits after surgery and for how long.

Smoking

Nicotine and plastic surgery don’t mix. Smoking after surgery (and smoking e-cigarettes or chewing nicotine gum) reduces blood flow to the healing tissues, which means less oxygen to nourish those tissues. Smoking-related complications can include infection, delayed wound healing, thick scars, blood clots, and increased pain.

Sleeping on Your Side or Stomach

Getting enough sleep after surgery is critical to your recovery, and your sleep position matters. Sleeping on your side or stomach right after breast augmentation puts pressure on your healing implants and incisions. Sleep on your back for at least two to three weeks after surgery; placing pillows at your sides can help you avoid rolling over in your sleep.

Your Regular Bras

You must refrain from wearing everyday bras right after breast augmentation. Your healing breasts need gentle support in the form of a special compression bra. These bras resemble sports bras and hold your breasts in place as they heal. They don’t have underwire that can irritate healing incisions.

Wear your compression bra as directed by our surgical team. We recommend purchasing two compression bras so you always have one to wear while the other is being laundered.

Strenuous Exercise

Exercising too soon or too aggressively after breast augmentation can jeopardize your recovery and your results. Our doctors advise you to refrain from running, weightlifting, or engaging in other fast or strenuous movements for a minimum of four weeks after surgery.

However, this does not mean that you should become a couch potato after breast augmentation. Walking is permitted and encouraged starting early on in your recovery to promote good blood flow to your healing tissues. Other low-intensity exercises, such as yoga or stretching, can be resumed within the first few weeks of surgery, as long as you avoid pushing yourself beyond your body’s comfort level. If anything hurts, stop immediately.

Contact Our Breast Augmentation Surgeons

For more information about breast augmentation surgery and recovery, feel free to speak with a member of our plastic surgery team. You can give us a call or send us an email today.