A Surgeon's Post-operative Breast Augmentation Instructions May Vary From Another's

You may know that you that if your tissues are thin and sub-muscular placement of the implant was necessary for adequate tissue coverage of your implant, you'll have more tenderness compared to patients whose implants are placed over the muscle. With new, dual plane and 24-hour recovery techniques that we have published, you can experience the same 24-hour recovery whether your implant is over or under muscle.

With optimal techniques and instruments, today there is no difference in pain of recovery if your implants are placed sub-muscular or sub-mammary.

Even if you choose a surgeon whose techniques still cause more post-operative discomfort if your implant is under muscle, this is a short-term inconvenience for long-term protection against seeing edges of your implant and possibly a greater risk of capsular contracture. If your surgeon used blunt dissection techniques, you can expect more tenderness and the possible inconvenience of drain tubes for a few days. The easier your surgeon expects your recovery to be, the shorter the list of postoperative instructions. The more the surgeon can do in the operating room, the less you'll be burdened with after surgery.

Surgeons' postoperative instructions vary a lot. The most important thing to remember is to follow your surgeon's instructions! A surgeon knows what is done in the operating room and because of that, what needs to be done or not done after surgery. Don't try to out-think your surgeon! Follow your surgeon's instructions. And don't follow your friend's postoperative instructions if she had a different surgeon.

If you personally know other patients who have had breast augmentations, especially sub-pectoral breast augmentations, one of your greatest difficulties will be in believing that 24-hour return to normal activities is even remotely possible. We assure you that this rapid return to normal activities is possible whether your implants are over or under the pectoralis muscle.

If you talk to several women who've had breast augmentation, you'll find a tremendous amount of variation in their recovery experiences. If your surgeon is giving you instructions that sound a lot simpler than what you've heard, be grateful! Your surgeon is probably doing a lot of things in the operating room that allow you to have an easier and shorter recovery. If you hear from another patient that you shouldn't lift your arms, lift your child, or drive your car, and your surgeon is telling you it's okay to do all these things immediately, go for it! Your surgeon just made your life easier. On the other hand, if your surgeon tells you not to do these things, the surgeon probably has reasons. Always follow instructions.

Your surgeon's staff is an extension of your surgeon. The goal is to help you get better sooner, so it's important to follow the staff's advice and instructions. When a person calls to check on you, listen carefully to that person's questions and instructions. The information you convey will help the staff make the best recommendations to speed your recovery. The more knowledgeable the surgeon's staff, the better they can help answer your questions and give you optimal advice. If you're in doubt about anything after speaking with staff, ask to speak directly with your surgeon or ask for an appointment to see your surgeon.