Adjusting to Breast Implants
Conveniently located to serve the areas of London and Manchester
You have dreamed for years about getting implants. You have done your research, consulted with a board-certified surgeon like Dr Riccardo Frati of Harley Surgery, and scheduled your surgery. Now it’s time to focus on the next phase of your journey – adjusting to your new breasts.
The first few weeks post-surgery are critical for the healing process. It is important to follow your surgeon’s instructions during this time; this includes taking medicine as prescribed and attending all follow-up appointments. But adjusting to implants is more nuanced than that, so let’s do a deep dive into what life after breast augmentation is like and what you can expect.
If you’re ready to experience Dr Frati’s incredible skills in creating beautiful, natural-looking breasts with implants, then book a consultation today. In London and Dolan Park, call +44 20 3633 2619, and in Manchester, call +44 16 1327 2139 or fill out this form to schedule an appointment.
Follow our blog to learn everything there is to know about breast augmentation with Dr Frati!
Contents
Before and After Photos
About Life After Breast Augmentation
Now let’s be real – after breast augmentation, you are not going to jump out of bed the next morning and feel like a million bucks (or have perfect breasts). It takes time for your body to recover from surgery and for the swelling to go down. You will likely experience some discomfort and soreness, which is normal. Don’t worry, this is all temporary!
As the days go on, you will start to feel better and better. As the swelling goes down, your breasts will start to soften and feel more natural. It is important to be patient during this time as your body is still healing.
During the first few weeks post-op, you will likely have to sleep on your back; this helps to prevent putting pressure on your breasts and allows them to heal properly. You may also have to wear a surgical bra or compression garment to help with the swelling and support your breasts as they heal.
It is important to take things easy during the first few weeks post-op. You should avoid any strenuous activity, lifting anything heavy, or bending over for too long. All of these things can put unnecessary pressure on your breasts and hinder the healing process.
You will likely have your first post-op appointment around two weeks after surgery. This is when your surgeon will remove your stitches and check on your progress.
At this point, you will likely be cleared to start light activity and slowly return to your normal routine. You should still avoid any strenuous activity or lifting anything heavy for at least four to six weeks.
Healing 101
It is important to listen to your body during the healing process. If you experience any pain, discomfort, or unexpected symptoms, be sure to contact your surgeon right away. Here are some warning signs you can look out for that may indicate a problem:
- Fever
- Severe pain that is not alleviated by medication
- Excessive bleeding or discharge
- Redness, swelling, or warmth in your breast area
- Change in the colour or shape of your breasts
Healing affects every part of your body and sometimes even your brain. It is not unusual to experience some mood swings and irritability during this time – this is all normal! Just be sure to take things easy, get plenty of rest, drink lots of water, and eat a healthy diet.
It takes time for your body to recover from surgery and for the swelling to go down. You will likely experience some pain and soreness, which is normal. Don’t worry, this is all temporary! Dr Frati will prescribe you medication to help with the pain and discomfort.
Do your best to create a soothing and relaxing environment for yourself during the healing process. Your recovery space may include a way in which to watch your favourite shows or movie, order your favourite comfort foods, or even fill your space with your favourite smells for relaxing aromatherapy.
Smoking After Surgery
It is of the utmost importance that you do not smoke for the first few weeks after surgery. Smoking can cause a number of complications, including: [1]
- Infection
- Delayed healing
- Poor scarring
- Impaired blood flow
All of these things can put your results at risk. So, if you are a smoker, it is best to quit before surgery. If you are unable to quit, be sure to at least refrain from smoking for the first few weeks pre- and post-op. Alcohol consumption is also best to avoid during this time as it can interfere with healing.
We hope this gives you a better understanding of what to expect during the healing process. As always, if you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact us.
Adjusting to Your New Breasts
Now that we’ve gone over what to expect during the healing process, let’s talk about what comes next – adjusting to your new breasts.
This can be a big change for some women, both physically and emotionally. It is important to give yourself time to get used to your new breasts. They will look and feel different than before, but that is the point!
- The first thing you may notice is that your chest feels heavier. It may feel like you are carrying around a lot of weight, but this is just your body getting used to the new implants. Over time, your posture will change as your muscles re-calibrate to your new contours. [2]
- Your incisions will be tender and may be sensitive to touch. These are all normal sensations that will subside over time.
- The third thing you may notice is that your range of motion is more limited than it was before surgery, especially if your implants were placed sub muscularly, or in a dual plane placement to provide support for your new implants. As your chest muscles adjust and heal, your range of motion will increase.
- The fourth and final thing you may notice is that your breasts may not be exactly symmetrical – this is normal! Dr Frati has an incredible track record with “perfect” breasts, but there is really no such thing as perfection. Just remember that your new breasts are yours and love them just the way they are!
Drop and Fluff!
The next thing you will notice is that your breasts may feel hard and firm, and seem to be a little high on your chest. Over the next few months, your implants will go through the “drop and fluff” phase. As your muscles and other tissues relax to accommodate the implants and, swelling subsides, your breasts will eventually soften and feel more natural, and sit lower in a more natural-looking position. The softer tissue will also allow them to take on a more natural, rounder shape. This usually occurs 3-6 months after surgery.
Breast augmentation is a life-changing surgery that can give you the breasts you have always wanted. The healing process can be a bit daunting, but it is important to remember that the staff of Harley Surgery is there to help you through it. If you have any questions or concerns, be sure to contact us!
Now that you have the breasts you’ve always wanted, it’s time to show them off! Embrace your new body and enjoy your new-found confidence!
Show Them Off!
You go through life with your body dictating what you can wear and possibly even your confidence level. But now you’ve taken control of your body and your breasts and you can wear what you want when you want! No longer are you restricted to hiding your breasts in baggy clothes; Dr Frati also uses surgical techniques that support your augmented bustline, so you can even go braless!
One of the best things about breast augmentation is that you can choose the size and shape of your new breasts. This means that you can have the exact look you want! Pull out those clothes you could never pull off before and give them a try. You may be surprised at how great you look in them!
Most importantly, remember that your new breasts are yours to love and enjoy. Embrace them! They are a part of your body and you should love them just as much as any other part.
Your Future with Implants
It is also important to remember that breast implants are not meant to last a lifetime. They will likely need to be replaced at some point down the road at around ten to fifteen years out. The good news is that implant technology has come a long way in recent years, so your new implants should last much longer than those of previous generations.
You should also expect to have your breasts checked regularly by your doctor; this is because implants can sometimes leak or rupture. If this happens, you will need to have surgery to replace the implants.
How Can I Tell If I Have a Ruptured Implant?
Though rare, rupture does happen. There are some warning signs you can look out for, and they are different with either silicone or saline breasts.
If you have silicone implants, the silicone is now created to stay in place even with a leak so they do not cause the same problems as they might have in the past. You should see your doctor though if you have any of these symptoms:
- You feel pain or tenderness in your breasts
- Your breasts change in size or shape
- One breast becomes noticeably different from the other
- You have lumps or swellings in your breasts
If you notice any of these changes, contact Dr Frati immediately.
If you have saline implants, it is much more noticeable when an implant has ruptured because you will see a change in size. While the saline from your implants can safely be absorbed by your body, you should still see Dr Frati as soon as possible to have the implant replaced.
Ruptures can happen for a variety of reasons, but they are most commonly due to an injury or trauma to the chest area. They can also happen if the implants are not placed correctly or if they are old and starting to break down.
Your Experience is Yours Alone
We give you the broad strokes of what to expect during your first days, weeks and even the first year after your implants. But it is important to remember that every woman’s body is different. You may find that you heal more quickly or slowly than your friend who also had implants.
You may have more pain or less pain. You may feel great after a few days or you may need a little more time to adjust. All of these things are normal! Just listen to your body and give yourself the time you need to recover.
We Are A Phone Call Away
Your surgeon is always just a phone call away if you have any questions or concerns, but we hope that this guide has given you a better understanding of what to expect after your surgery. Thank you for choosing Dr Frati and we wish you all the best in your recovery!
What is the Cost of Breast Augmentation in London?
The cost of breast augmentation in London can vary depending on a number of factors, such as the type of implants used, the size of the implants, and whether or not you need a Breast Uplift as well. The best way to determine how much you will pay for implants is to book a consultation with a board-certified plastic surgeon Dr Riccardo Frati.
During your consultation, he will assess your goals and talk to you about the different implant options available. So don’t delay! Call Harley Surgery today.
References
- Silverstein P. Smoking and wound healing. The American journal of medicine. 1992;93(1A):22S24S. doi:10.1016/0002-9343(92)90623-j
- Mazzocchi M, Dessy LA, Iodice P, Saggini R, Scuderi N. A Study of Postural Changes After Breast Augmentation. Aesthetic Plastic Surgery. 2011;36(3):570-577. doi:10.1007/s00266-011-9841-6