Breast Surgery Recovery Tips

Breast enhancement remains the most popular type of plastic surgery performed in the United States. According to statistics from the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, there were nearly 300,000 of these procedures conducted in 2019—down from almost 314,000 in 2018. Still, breast augmentation remains the most popular procedure in plastic surgery. If you’ve decided to undergo breast augmentation in Manhattan, you’re probably excited about the changes in appearance from your planned procedure. However, Dr. B. Aviva Preminger wants to stress the importance of patience—first and foremost, by allowing yourself the necessary time to rest and recover following surgery. That’s why we’ve compiled this guide of recovery tips you should follow after a breast augmentation.

Tip 1: Make yourself comfortable

No matter what type of breast enhancement procedure you choose, you will need to keep your upper body elevated while you sleep for at least the first few days after surgery. If your home has a recliner, this can be easy to accomplish, but sleeping overnight in even a luxurious recliner can be uncomfortable. When headed to bed, stack pillows behind you and also alongside you. For patients who have had breast surgery as part of a mommy makeover, reclining in this way allows you to reach a standing position without placing the typical amount of exertion on your upper-body muscles.

Tip 2: Sleep on your back

After the initial healing period following your Manhattan breast augmentation, you’ll be able to lie flat—and you need to rest on your back when that time comes. Many people prefer to sleep on their stomach or their side. Make sleeping on your back a more natural feeling by placing a pillow on each side of you and put an arm on each pillow to avoid rolling over while asleep. This way, you’ll experience less frustration after surgery.

Tip 3: Support

Following the majority of breast enhancement surgeries performed at Preminger Plastic Surgery, your Ivy League-educated plastic surgeon in Manhattan, Dr. Preminger, likely will prescribe a compression garment. Wearing this garment helps reduce swelling, using gentle pressure to keep fluids from building up around the surgical area. It would help if you wore this garment as recommended, including during sleep, to ensure your skin is not pressed or pulled.

Tip 4: Get enough sleep

Taking a few naps is natural during this period of recovery after undergoing your breast augmentation on the Upper East Side of Manhattan, but you also need to get the right amount of deep, restful sleep at night. Consider limiting your caffeine and sugar intake after the mid-afternoon, and refrain from using electronic devices right before bed. You should also avoid alcohol, especially if your plastic surgeon has been described pain medication and smoking, as tobacco restricts blood flow and slows down recovery.

Breast Enhancement in Manhattan

Dr. B. Aviva Preminger, your Ivy League-educated and board-certified plastic surgeon, has helped hundreds of New Yorkers just like you feel better about themselves and their appearance through breast surgery. She offers breast augmentation, including implants, as well as breast lifts, breast reductions, and breast reconstruction. 

If you’d like to find out more about breast enhancement or any of the other procedures offered at Preminger Plastic Surgery, please schedule a consultation online or by calling (212) 706-1900. Our office is located on the Upper East Side of Manhattan in New York City.