Breast augmentation is an intensely gratifying procedure for patients, as they see immediate results after the procedure. Like any surgical procedure, though, patients need to allow some time for recovery.
Recovery is variable from patient to patient. Most patients feel tired and sore after breast augmentation surgery, but this usually passes in a day or two. Many patients return to work within the week. After a week, most patients have mild fatigue and soreness, but no other significant symptoms.
Surgeons vary in the amount of time they restrict their patients from exercising postoperatively. I ask my patients to refrain from all vigorous exercise for 2 weeks postoperatively and from all upper body exercises for 4 weeks. Patients don’t always want to comply with this, as they feel relatively normal well before their postoperative restrictions are lifted.
Scars from breast augmentation incisions will begin to fade in a few weeks and will continue to fade for months or years.