BREAST AUGMENTATION

Understanding the Breast Augmentation Healing Process

Breast augmentation surgery can be truly transformative. It changes not only your body, but your self-confidence and the way you feel about yourself. So women are understandably excited and anxious to “try out” their new and improved breasts as soon as possible! So, its understandable that one of the most frequently asked questions by our West Bloomfield breast augmentation patients is “when will my new breasts be healed.”

Understanding what to expect during the breast augmentation healing process can help you set realistic expectations for your recovery. A comprehensive guide to the breast augmentation recover process can be found HERE. In this article, top West Bloomfield area board certified plastic surgeon Dr. Ali explains when your breast appearance will return to your “new normal” so that you can show off your beautiful new body.

Breast Appearance after Breast Augmentation Surgery

Top Bloomfield Hills area board certified plastic surgeon Dr. Ali has helped thousands of women achieve the look and feel they have always wanted with breast augmentation surgery. While the information in this article provides general guidelines, during your initial consultation Dr. Ali will explain what to expect based on your unique situation and type of surgery.

And, after your surgery our office will also supply you with detailed instructions regarding the recovery process. Remember, each woman’s body is different – and you should always follow the specific pre- and post-operative instructions that you receive from your surgeon.

Scarring after Breast Augmentation Surgery

Many women wonder about the scars they see after their breast augmentation surgery. We are frequently asked how much scarring there will be and long the scarring will last.

A skilled and experienced plastic surgeon like Dr. Ali strategically places the breast augmentation incisions in the least conspicuous area, as well as making them as small as possible. This is why women should only trust their breast augmentation surgery to a board certified plastic surgeon like Dr. Ali who has performed thousands of breast augmentation surgeries. And remember a “cosmetic surgeon” (like many others in the Birmingham, West Bloomfield & Bloomfield Hills area) does NOT have the same training and certification as a plastic surgeon. You can read more about the differences between a cosmetic surgeon and plastic surgeon HERE.

Keep in mind that any time a surgeon cuts through the full thickness of the skin with any type of surgery there will necessary be scaring. And how your individual body scars is the result of heredity more than anything. So, the healing of scars after breast augmentation surgery is a dynamic process that varies from person to person. However the good news is that, for most women, the incisions from breast augmentation heal well and any scarring eventually fades considerably.

Following surgery, incisions are carefully closed with sutures, marking the beginning of the scar healing journey. The specific timeline for scar healing involves distinct phases, starting with the immediate postoperative period and extending over several months.

Immediate Postoperative Period:

In the initial days after breast augmentation surgery, the focus is on wound care and managing swelling. Patients will be advised on how to keep the incision sites clean and dry, following the Dr. Ali’s instructions for optimal recovery. During this period, it’s normal for scars to appear red or slightly raised due to the natural inflammatory response.

Suture Removal:

Sutures are typically removed within the first week to ten days, depending on the Dr. Ali’s preference and the individual patient’s healing progress. This step is crucial for minimizing tension on the incisions and promoting a more seamless healing process.

Early Scar Healing (Weeks to Months):

Over the following weeks and months, scars undergo significant changes. Initially, scars may continue to appear pink or red and could be slightly firm to the touch. This is part of the normal healing process. Typically, breast augmentation scars will be firm and pink for approximately six weeks. After which they should begin to fade, As collagen production increases, scars gradually soften and begin to fade.

The use of scar management techniques, such as silicone sheets or gels, may be recommended to support optimal healing. There are several products that promote healing and improve the appearance of breast augmentation scars, such as Mederma®, BioDermis and Xeragel®. Additionally, keep your incisions out of the sun for at least a year so that they do not darken due to increased pigmentation.

Intermediate Healing (Months to a Year):

By the three to six-month mark, significant improvements in scar appearance are typically observed. Scars continue to lighten in color and become less noticeable. It’s essential to continue to protect scars from direct sunlight during this phase to prevent hyperpigmentation.

Long-Term Scar Maturation (Beyond a Year):

Scar maturation is an ongoing process that can extend beyond a year. While scars continue to fade, achieving their final appearance, it’s common for patients to notice ongoing improvement for up to 18 months or sometimes more. Staying vigilant with scar care and maintaining regular follow-up appointments with Dr. Ali are integral aspects of ensuring optimal long-term results.

Individual Scar Healing Variability:

It’s important to reiterate that a great deal of individual variability exists in scar healing. Factors such as genetics, skin type, and overall health contribute to the unique trajectory of each patient’s scar healing journey. While scars are an inevitable part of any surgical procedure, the goal is to optimize their appearance and integration with the surrounding tissue for the most aesthetically pleasing outcome.

West Bloomfield area board certified plastic surgeon Dr. Ali combines technical skill, artistry and experience to both conceal and minimize the appearance of breast augmentation scars. Our entire breast augmentation team is dedicated to supporting patients through every step of their healing process, providing guidance on scar care and addressing any concerns that may arise. You see several examples of Dr. Ali’s fantastic work concealing breast augmentation scars in our Before & After images HERE.

Swelling after Breast Augmentation Surgery

Another aspect of the healing process that breast augmentation patients should be aware of is post-operative swelling. Keep in mind that your breasts may look larger than you expected after breast augmentation surgery because of the swelling. Remember that swelling is a normal part of the healing process and will subside rather quickly.

Any swelling typically peaks at about 48 hours after surgery, then begins to rapidly decrease. By three weeks, 50% of the swelling is typically gone. And by 6 or 8 weeks after breast augmentation surgery, most of the swelling should have subsided. At six months, almost all the swelling is generally gone. So this is when you will an accurate idea of what your final breast augmentation results will look like.

Dropping after Breast Augmentation Surgery

Another aspect of healing to keep in mind is that your breast implants will rest a bit higher than their final positioning for a short period after breast augmentation surgery. The implants will then eventually drop into a normal position. Do not be alarmed if this takes a few weeks. Until your breasts drop, your nipples may also be pointing downward, or in a less normal direction. This too will correct as the breast implants drop into place.

The time it takes your breast implants to drop will depend upon a number of variables such as, the implant size and type, what size you were before breast augmentation surgery, the implant surface type, your muscle tone, and the implant placement.

Smooth breast implants will drop faster than textured implants. And implants placed underneath the chest muscle, will more drop slowly than implants placed over the muscle. If you went up several breast sizes, the drop may take longer due to the tightness of the skin.

Dr. Ali will discuss what to expect in your unique situation, as well as what you can do to help your breasts drop. This may include massaging, “pushing down,” or wearing a wide elastic band around the top of your chest. Important: Always follow your breast augmentation surgeon’s instructions rather than trying out things you may read about online. Remember the Internet is full of bad information – of facts that may not apply to your individual situation.

Top West Bloomfield Breast Augmentation Surgery

The best way to understand what to expect after breast augmentation surgery is to schedule a consultation with top West Bloomfield area breast augmentation surgeon Dr. Ali. If you are considering breast augmentation surgery, he will be happy to offer you a consultation to answer all of your questions. Dr. Ali has helped hundreds of women in Birmingham, Bloomfield Hills, West Bloomfield – and across Oakland County and the Detroit area – get the body they’ve always wanted.

Feel beautiful inside and out, with breast augmentation surgery. And remember, financing options are also available.