Cosmetic breast surgery - discharge
Definition
You had cosmetic breast surgery to change the size or shape of your breasts. You may have had a breast lift, breast reduction, or breast augmentation.
Follow your surgeon's instructions on self-care at home. Use the information below as a reminder.
When You're in the Hospital
You were probably under general anesthesia (asleep and pain-free). Or you had local anesthesia (awake and pain-free). Your surgery took at least 1 or more hours, depending on the type of procedure you had.
You woke up with a gauze dressing or surgical bra around your breast and chest area. You may also have drainage tubes coming from your incision areas. Some pain and swelling is normal after the anesthesia wears off. You may also feel tired. Rest and gentle activity will help you recover. Your nurse will help you begin to move around.
Depending on the type of surgery you had, you may have gone home the same day or you spent 1 to 2 days in the hospital.
What to Expect at Home
It is normal to have pain, bruising, and swelling of the breast or incisions after you get home. Within a few days or weeks, these symptoms will go away. You may have a loss of sensation in your breast skin and nipples after surgery. The sensation may return over time.
You may need help with your everyday activities for a few days until your pain and swelling decrease.
Activity
While you are healing, limit your physical activities so that you do not stretch your incisions. Try taking short walks as soon as possible to promote blood flow and healing. You may be able to do some activity 1 to 2 days after surgery.
Your surgeon may show you special exercises and breast-massaging techniques. Do these at home if your surgeon has recommended them.
Ask your surgeon when you can go back to work or start other activities. You may need to wait 7 to 14 days or even longer.
Do not do any heavy lifting, strenuous exercise, or overstretching your arms for 3 to 6 weeks. Exertion can increase blood pressure, and lead to bleeding.
Do not drive for at least 2 weeks. Do not drive if you are taking narcotic pain medicines. You should have full range of motion in your arms before you start driving again. Ease into driving slowly, since turning the wheel and shifting gears may be difficult.
Wound Care
You'll need to return to see your surgeon in a few days to have the drainage tubes removed. Any stitches will be removed within 2 weeks after surgery. If your incisions are covered with surgical glue it doesn't need to be removed and will wear off.
Keep the dressings or adhesive strips on your incisions for as long as your surgeon told you to. Make sure you have extra bandages in case you need them. You will need to change them daily.
Keep the incision areas clean, dry, and covered. Check daily for signs of infection (redness, pain, or drainage).
Once you no longer need dressings, wear a soft, wireless, supportive bra night and day for 2 to 4 weeks.
You may shower after 2 days (if your drainage tubes have been removed). Do not take baths, soak in a hot tub, or go swimming until stitches and drains are removed and your surgeon says it is OK.
Incision scars may take several months to more than a year to fade. Follow your surgeon's instructions on how to care for the scars to help reduce their appearance. Protect your scars with a strong sunblock (SPF 30 or higher) whenever you are out in the sun.
Other Self-care
Make sure you eat healthy foods, including lots of fruits and vegetables. Drink plenty of fluids. A healthy diet and plenty of fluids promote bowel movements and prevent infection.
Your pain should go away over several weeks. Take any pain medicines as your surgeon told you to. Take them with food and plenty of water. Do not apply ice or heat to your breasts unless your surgeon tells you that it is OK.
Do not drink alcohol while you are taking pain medicines. Do not take aspirin, aspirin-containing medicines, or ibuprofen without your surgeon's approval. Ask your surgeon which vitamins, supplements, and other medicines are safe to take.
Do not smoke. Smoking slows healing and increases your risk for complications and infection.
When to Call the Doctor
Contact your surgeon if you have:
- Increasing pain, redness, swelling, yellow or green drainage, bleeding, or bruising at the incision site
- Side effects from medicines, such as rash, nausea, vomiting, or headache
- A fever of 100°F (38°C) or higher
- Numbness or loss of motion
Also contact your surgeon if you notice sudden swelling of your breast.
References
American Board of Cosmetic Surgery website. Breast augmentation (breast implants) guide. www.americanboardcosmeticsurgery.org/procedure-learning-center/breast/breast-augmentation-guide/. Accessed February 27, 2025.
American Board of Cosmetic Surgery website. Breast reduction guide. www.americanboardcosmeticsurgery.org/procedure-learning-center/breast/breast-reduction-guide/.Accessed February 24. 2025.
Padilla PL, Khoo KH, Ho T, Cole EL, Sirvent RZ, Phillips LG. Plastic Surgery. In: Townsend CM Jr, Beauchamp RD, Evers BM, Mattox KL, eds. Sabiston Textbook of Surgery. 21st ed. St Louis, MO: Elsevier; 2022:chap 69.
Randquist C. Primary breast augmentation with implants. In: Nahabedian MY, ed. Plastic Surgery, Volume 5: Breast. 5th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2024:chap 3.
Review Date: 2/17/2025
Reviewed By: David A. Lickstein, MD, FACS, specializing in cosmetic and reconstructive plastic surgery, Palm Beach Gardens, FL. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
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