How Soon Can I Drive After Breast Augmentation?

You’ll want to go for a test drive in a parking lot first. If you notice your chest is sore that might impede your ability to quickly turn the steering wheel. You’ll also need to discontinue any narcotic pain medications before driving. Most people can drive after about 3 to 5 days after breast augmentation surgery.

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Breast Implants Before and After in Dallas, Texas- Top Plastic Surgeon, Dr. John Burns MD

How Soon Will My Implants Drop?

If your implants are placed under the muscle they might require a little time to “settle” into the pocket and assume their permanent position. When implants are placed under the chest muscle the muscle is tight and pushes the implant upwards. This is called “riding high” and is very common after submuscular breast augmentation. The implants will drop into place over the first several weeks. A lot will depend on the strength of the pec muscle and the size of the implant, but in most cases, your implant should drop 4 weeks after breast augmentation.

If your implants are placed above the muscle in the sub-glandular or subfascial plane they won’t ride high and will assume their anatomic position soon after surgery.

How Soon Can I Have Sex After Breast Augmentation?

Most patients can resume sexual activity after one week.

Learn More: 10 Breast Augmentation Myths

How Soon After Breast Augmentation Can I Work Out?

It depends on the type of exercise. Most patients can return to light activity in one week. This includes exercises that don’t involve lifting or bouncing such as walking, treadmill walking, stationary bike riding like Peleton or a spin class, elliptical, or Stair Master. At 6 weeks you are to resume light weight lifting using light weights and higher repetitions for muscle toning. At 8 weeks most patients can return to all types of exercise and heavy lifting.

Recovering from breast augmentation is like recovering from a pulled muscle. It takes a full 2 months for the muscle to heal enough to tolerate most weight-bearing exercises. Remember to start back slowly and advance slowly. It may take some getting used to with your implants but you’ll slowly regain your normal strength and have no limitations. The muscle will return to normal strength.

How Soon Can I Swim After Breast Augmentation?

Swimming for exercise is similar to your graduated clearance for weight lifting. You’ll need to wait about 8 weeks to return to swimming laps for exercise due to the demands on the upper body muscles. The same would be true for other upper body exercises such as tennis, golf, rowing, yoga, barre classes, Cross Fit, Orange Theory, or pilates.

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How Soon Can I Go To The Pool or Beach?

You can shower and get your breasts wet after 3 days. However, don’t submerge in a swimming pool or hot tub until the incisions are completely healed; usually 3 - 4 weeks. If you submerge in water the pressure can force water through the incision and contaminate the implant. Be even more careful with ocean and lake water because they contain bacteria.

Breast Augmentation Before and After in Dallas, Texas- Top Plastic Surgeon, Dr. John Burns MD

How Soon Will I Be Able To Sleep on My Stomach?

The first week you’ll want to sleep on your back. After a week you can start side sleeping as tolerated. Many patients find an extended “pregnancy” pillow comfortable to wrap their arms and legs around the pillow. At 8 weeks you can try sleeping on your stomach. Your regular sleeping positions might take some getting used to as the implants will feel different in this position.

How Soon Can I Travel After Getting Breast Implants?

Dr. Burns has a lot of out-of-town patients from all over the world. About 30% of Dr. Burns’ patients fly to Dallas for their breast and body procedures. Most breast augmentation patients can fly home in 1 - 2 days. You’ll see Dr. Burns the day after your procedure and he can clear you for travel. When traveling make sure you get help with any heavy luggage. This might take some getting used to lifting anything heavy during your travel.

Read More: From Screen To Sculpt: Scheduling Your Virtual Consult with Dr. Burns

How Soon Will I Be Able to Stop Taking Pain Medication?

Dr. Burns practices rapid recovery breast augmentation. He uses a long-lasting local anesthetic during your procedure to numb the breasts for the first several days of your recovery. This dramatically reduces the need for pain medication. Patients describe feeling pressure on their chest after breast augmentation but minimal pain. Most patients require only Tylenol as needed. Dr. Burns will prescribe a narcotic pain medication in case you need it, but most patients won’t need more than a couple of doses at most. It is rare for patients to need pain medication beyond 3 days.

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When Will My Nipple Sensation Return?

Breast augmentation stretches the nerve that supplies sensation to the nipple. While most patients feel no change in their nipple sensation; some report feeling more or less sensitive. Sensation should fully return to normal after 6 months.

Go Board-Certified For Best Results

When considering breast augmentation, it is essential to choose a highly qualified and experienced plastic surgeon for the procedure. A board-certified plastic surgeon has undergone extensive training, passed rigorous exams, and adheres to strict ethical standards set by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. By consulting with a board-certified plastic surgeon, you can discuss your goals and concerns openly, allowing the surgeon to provide personalized recommendations tailored to your specific needs. Additionally, a board-certified plastic surgeon will ensure that safety measures are in place during the procedure to minimize risks and complications.