Women excited about getting breast implants at our St. Louis practice often share a common worry: recovery. Our surgeons provide a detailed list of instructions and thoroughly explain what to expect during recovery, but there are plenty of questions we hear from patients in the days and weeks after their breast augmentation procedures.
In this post, I’ll answer some of the common and not-so-common questions that patients ask.
“Is it normal for breasts to itch after augmentation surgery?”
Yes, many women’s breasts itch after their surgery. The primary cause of itchy breasts is the skin being stretched so much at once. Another normal part of the healing process is for incisions to itch. It’s important not to scratch incisions to avoid the risk of opening them and infection. Putting an ice pack on itchy incisions often helps.
“Is it normal to lose sensation after breast augmentation?”
Numbness following surgery is normal. Even though it can be difficult, being patient is one of the main pieces of advice your surgeon is likely to offer. Numbness almost always resolves on its own, but it’s impossible to predict how long it will take. It could be weeks, or it could be months. A study published in the Aesthetic Surgery Journal found a low risk of long-term sensation changes.
“Is it normal for breast implants to sit high on the chest after surgery?”
The initial results of breast augmentation can be a little bit unnerving for many patients. Women often say it seems like they now have a pair of grapefruits sitting just below the collar bones. Your breasts won’t look “normal” right away. The “drop-and-fluff” process can take time, especially if the implants are inserted beneath the chest muscle. Again, this is normal.
Take a look at our patients’ breast augmentation before-and-after photos or the photos below to see how well implants settle into place.
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“Is it normal to feel bloated in the days after my procedure?
Bloating is a common condition after breast augmentation surgery. Intravenous (IV) fluids used during surgery can cause this sensation, which is temporary. Even though you may not feel like it, drinking lots of fluids will help flush your system and relieve the bloated feeling more rapidly.
“Is it normal to gain weight in the days after surgery?”
As you might guess, yes, it’s normal to gain a few pounds after getting breast implants. Fluid retention is one of the primary reasons you’ll notice weight gain. The implants themselves add only a minor amount of weight. If you’re normally active, taking time off from exercising may also result in extra weight. You can read more about weight gain and breast augmentation surgery in our related blog post.
These are all good questions, and our surgeons at St. Louis Cosmetic Surgery encourage patients to contact the practice with any questions or concerns they might have after undergoing breast augmentation surgery. We also use specialized techniques during surgery to encourage rapid recovery for patients. This approach minimizes tissue damage and the bleeding and bruising that are often part of the procedure.
If you would like to pursue breast augmentation with our plastic surgeons in Missouri, request a consultation using our online form or call us at (636) 530-6161.
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