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Breast | Recovery, Risks, Revisions & Complications

Recovery

Recovery time after cosmetic surgery can vary depending on multiple factors, such as the size and type of implant, surgical technique, and placement. As each woman is unique, recovery duration may differ. Typically, it takes 1-12 months for a full recovery, during which it is crucial to avoid strenuous physical activity, lifting heavy objects, and excessive exertion to ensure proper healing.

After Surgery

  • No showering for five days. After five days, avoid wetting the dressings, dry with a hairdryer on a low heat setting. If dressings get overly wet, you will need a dressing change earlier
  • Do not massage your breasts
  • Do not put anything on your breasts: ice, heat, creams etc
  • You may experience nauseas and vomiting following the general anaesthetic. You will be prescribed anti-nausea medication that will help manage this.
  • It is important to maintain a good oral intake of food and fluids as the analgesia (pain medication) can cause bloating and constipation.
  • Maximise resting in the first week of healing; you should not be performing any excessive exercise or activity which elevates your heart rate or causes you to break a sweat for the first three weeks of healing.
  • Do not drink alcohol for 1 week or until your antibiotic course is complete
  • Do not drive for one week
  • You may resume all supplements ceased after two weeks
  • No smoking for at least six weeks; significant wound healing compromise can occur if you continue smoking.
  • It is normal to hear strange gurgling, sloshing sounds in the breast pocket
  • Numbness and altered sensation is normal; Nerve channels can take up to 6 weeks to heal.
  • Bruising may occur as the surgery involves manipulation of the muscles and skin across your chest. We recommend taking arnica tablets post and even leading up to surgery if you are prone to bruising.
  • Breasts should be treated as separate surgeries: one may heal faster than the other, they may appear uneven in early recovery, trust the process. It will take three months before the swelling starts to subside. You should generally allow up to 1one year to see the final results of your surgery.

ARM & LIFTING

  • Textured Implants: Don’t lift arms above shoulder height for two weeks
  • Motiva / Smooth Implants: Don’t lift arms above shoulder height for four weeks
  • Don’t lift or push anything heavier than 5kg for six weeks
  • After six weeks this can be increased by 5kg per week as comfort permits

SLEEPING

  • Week 0 – 1: Sleep and rest in an upright position on 2-3 pillows
  • Week 2 – 3: You may sleep flat on your back
  • Weeks 3 +You may sleep on your side
  • No stomach sleeping for six months

POST OP BRA

  • zero – twelve weeks: wear your bra 24/7 – it should feel firm, but it’s not a sports bra and should not feel as tight as one
  • After twelve weeks (pending review): no bra, strapless bras, bras with underwire may be worn for short periods of time (as long as you aren’t doing anything that involve moving the breasts or exercising)
  • After three months: padding may be worn
  • You must wear your post operative bra at night to sleep in for a minimum of 12 months.
  • If you have Motiva implants you are required to wear your postop bra for three months
  • We recommend wearing your bra as much as you can. Your implants will keep their shape and last longer if you wear a bra the majority of the time.

EXERCISE

  • No exercise or submerging your body under water for six weeks, no exceptions.
  • Week one: Gentle walking only – the pace you would walk around a shopping center.
  • Week six (pending review): light exercise, gym work, running, swimming. A slow increase of 5kg per week. You must wear a supportive and firming fitting sports bra if you are exercising.
  • Three Months: contact sports: surfing, horse riding, netball, scuba diving, gun range, ski diving, roller coasters, bowling.
  • You must wear a supportive and firming fitting sports bra if you are exercising.
  • six Months: Crossfit style exercising, MMA fighting, pole dancing/
  • You must wear a supportive and firming fitting sports bra if you are exercising.
  • Sexual intercourse: may be resumed after two weeks, however if you are resuming prior to six weeks your post op bra must remain on, refrain from any strenuous exercising that could disrupt healing (ie. bouncing, grabbing and handling of the breasts). No mouth to nipple contact for three months to prevent infection.

ARM MOVEMENTS

  • If you have MENTOR implants, you can lift your arms above your head after two weeks
  • If you have MOTIVA or SMOOTH implants, you can lift your arms above your head after four weeks
  • Work within your limits, if something feels uncomfortable or hurts – stop

RESUMING TREATMENTS

  • Cosmetic Injections: resumed after two weeks
  • Dental Work: resumed after six weeks – advise your dentist you have implants as you may require prophylactic antibiotics to prevent infection
  • Laser Hair Removal: body resumed after six weeks, no laying on your stomach for at least 6 months, underarms resumed after three months
  • Tattoos: body tattoos resumed after six weeks, breast/ torso resumed after six months
  • Piercings: body piercings resumed after six weeks, NO nipple piercings due to infection risk
  • Massage: resumed as comfort permits, no laying on your stomach for at least six months
  • Tanning: resumed after three monthss. Cover incisions and nipples with tape for at least twelve months
  • Sauna: six weeks after surgery (provided incisions have healed)
  • Cool Sculpting/ Body Sculpting: stomach resumed after six months, body resumed after three months, no laying on your stomach for at least six months

Risks

Possible risks associated with breast surgery include bleeding or infection, accumulation of fluid around the implant after surgery, allergic reaction to medical materials, changes in breast and nipple sensation, temporary or permanent areas of numbness, skin wrinkling over the implant, keloid formation, capsular contracture, inappropriate implant size, implant rupture or deflation, asymmetry of the breasts, calcium deposits in the scar capsule around the implant, granulomas, breastfeeding difficulties, reduced effectiveness of breast cancer screening, movement of the implants, further surgery to treat complications, anesthesia risks, including allergic reactions or potentially fatal cardiovascular complications, and blood clots in the deep veins of the legs, which can be life-threatening if they move to the lungs or brain. It is important to discuss these risks with a qualified doctor before undergoing breast augmentation surgery.

Complications, and unforeseen problems may occasionally arise, and in these instances further costs will incur.

Initial fees are paid for surgery only and results are never guaranteed. Future procedures are not covered by the original quote or fees previously paid (unless otherwise stated)

  • Costs associated with a future procedure may include, but are not limited to: airfares, accommodation, carer, time off work, loss of income, medication, pathology, diagnostic investigations and surgical garments.
  • There is a about a five to ten per cent chance that a revision procedure will be required after a cosmetic procedure, such as a “touch up” or correcting a complication.
  • The revision rate for a full mastopexy is generally between seventeen and twenty-five per cent. When subsequent revision procedures are necessary, the results provided will usually be less than the result of a primary surgery.

It is imperative that patients are fully aware of and have a clear understanding of the risks and complications of a medical procedure before consenting to them.

Revision Surgery Policy

If a revision procedure is required within your twelve-month postoperative period, our doctors will often waive their surgical fees. However, you will need to pay for the third-party fees associated with hospital and anaesthetic.

  • This is charged at $2,750* per hour (which includes hospital, general anaesthetic and consumables).

Patients outside of their twelve-month postoperative period will need to pay full fees. Please note: Additional expenses or expenditure may apply for implant fees, breast mesh etc.

Policy will only apply for correction of a complication that has occurred as a result of the primary surgery. Policy is not applicable for change of mind, implant removal, size increase or decrease etc.

Fees are subject to change without notice.

INFORMATION ON THIS SITE IS NOT A SUBSTITUTE FOR PROFESSIONAL MEDICAL ADVICE.