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Breast Augmentation Frequently Asked Questions

When Can I?

When can I go back to work?

Recovery from breast augmentation surgery varies from person to person and depends as well on the procedure or procedures done. It also depends, of course, on the type of work you do. You can return to a sedentary job sooner than you could to a very active job. You should allow about five days to one week to recover before going back to work at a sedentary job and about three weeks to return to a labor intensive job.

When can I wear an underwire bra again?

Most doctors ask that women wait 3 months before wearing underwire bras after breast implant surgery. Your body will be forming scar tissue around the breast implant for 3 months. During this time the pressure of the wires could cause the scar tissue to form in such a way that an indentation from the wires could become permanent. After this initial healing time underwire bras can be worn intermittently to avoid permanent indentation.

When can I tan my new breasts?

You need to wait. Tanning before the scars have matured can result in hyperpigmentation or causing the scars to be darker than the surrounding skin and, therefore, more visible. If you have to get out in the sun, be sure to cover up the scars with clothing or tape to prevent them from tanning. If you want to be really sure, wait at least a year until the scars have matured.

When can I begin having sex again?

Well, there is sex and there is sex. Your body will know better than anyone else when you are ready. It's probably best to wait ten days to two weeks—and take it easy at first.

When can I fly in an airplane?

Although they are rare, complications following breast augmentation surgery can occur. It is important that you be in the area, near the doctor's office, for the first week, so that she can address any problems that come up. Physically, after the first couple of days, flying should not pose a problem, but we need to make sure that you're past any possible complications.

When can I take a vacation?

After your breast augmentation surgery, you will need a period of recovery. You will be sore and likely dealing with some level of pain, with the help of pain medicine, of course. Some patients have less pain and some have more pain. In addition, you need to be past the period when complications might occur. The last thing you want is to be away from the doctor and have problems occur. The doctor recommends that you not plan a vacation until at least one month after the operation. By then, you should be well down the road to recovery.

When can I start jogging again?

Jogging is particularly hard on your breasts, bouncing them up and down, especially if you have incisions on your breasts. Wait at least six weeks or until the doctor tells you you can start jogging again. And remember to wear a support bra—always.

When can I ride horses again, jump on a trampoline, jump rope, etc?

All of these activities have a lot of up and down action. The advice above for jogging holds for riding and jumping as well. Wait at least six weeks and remember to wear your support bra.

When can I go swimming, or water skiing, or snow skiing again?

Swimming is different from some other forms of exercise because it directly uses the pectoral muscles and Dr. Pittman–Waller normally places breast implants under the pectoral muscles. Swimming too soon runs the risk of displacing the breast implants possibly resulting in a need to do additional surgery to correct the displacement. You are going to have your breast implants for a long time, so you can wait a little longer, until the doctor releases you to start swimming. Normally, you can start swimming after about a month. By the way, you may feel a difference in swimming with subpectoral breast implants, but you'll get used to it.

Water skiing, of course, involves swimming and the above recommendations for swimming apply. Both forms of skiing, however, have the added risk of falling and causing physical injury to your breasts before they have had a chance to heal and strengthen. It is best to wait at least three months, but be sure to check with the doctor if you're within six months of breast augmentation surgery.

Can I scuba dive with breast implants?

Scuba diving, of course, involves swimming and the recommendations for swimming also apply. Other than that, there should be no additional concerns over scuba diving. The increased pressure at depth will not affect the breast implants.

When can I work out my chest muscles if I have subpectoral breast implants? Will this rupture them?

The average woman's pectoral muscles will not squeeze a breast implant enough to cause a rupture. However, you should expect to have to replace your breast implants at some time in your life due to rupture from the combination of all the forces that they experience in everyday life. The average life expectancy of breast implants is 10 to 15 years, although some women have had their breast implants for 25 years or more.

When can I ride a roller coaster?

The main factor is healing. Roller coasters are OK once you're healed. They subject your breasts to as much force as jogging and riding. Wait at least three months till you're well healed and the danger of the scars tearing is past.

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Breast Cosmetic Surgery Information

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Breast Augmentation – Breast Lift (Mastopexy) – Breast Reduction

San Antonio Plastic Surgeon Virginia Pittman Waller MD