How will I be cared for on the day of my surgery?

Breast augmentation may be performed in a hospital or an outpatient surgery center. For some patients, local anesthesia with intravenous sedation is used. For others, general anesthesia may be the best choice. With either type, you’ll remain comfortable throughout the procedure. You will emerge from surgery wearing a support bra, gauze wrappings or other dressings. Upon leaving the operating room, you’ll be taken to a recovery area where you’ll be closely monitored.

How will I look and feel after surgery?

Within a day or two after surgery, you should be up and around. Most of the discomfort that you feel can be controlled with medication prescribed by Dr. Barnthouse.

Although everyone heals at a different rate, you can expect that your recovery will follow this general time line:

Within one week:

• you’ll be permitted to shower
• your stitches will be removed (unless dissolving sutures were used)
• you may feel able to return to nonstrenuous work
• you can resume sexual relations (as long as the breasts are treated gently)
  

After several weeks:

• most of the swelling will subside and you’ll start to see your final result
• you may discontinue wearing the support bra
• you may resume vigorous exercise and arm movements