Breast augmentation can give you the larger bust you’ve always dreamed of or restore full breasts after aging or childbearing. Many women can’t wait to show off their results with a swimsuit that accentuates their figure. Unfortunately, you’ll need to wait until your recovery is complete with healed incisions before donning that bikini and hitting the beach or pool.
Every breast augmentation patient is unique, and some women may feel more comfortable wearing a swimsuit sooner than others. Recovery times may vary based on your implant size, type, surgical technique, and placement. The average recovery takes four to six weeks, but it may take several more weeks for the implants to settle into their final positions and for incisions to heal.
Breast Augmentation Recovery Timeline
Our board-certified plastic surgeon, Dr. Avron Lipschitz, tells patients to take off five to seven days for initial breast augmentation recovery and use that time to rest and catch up on their favorite shows or books. You may resume light exercise and regular activities after one to two weeks. However, you will have a compression medical bra to support your breasts while they heal, and this garment must be worn 24/7 for several weeks. You may wear a comfortable, wireless bra after that time. You can expect swelling, bruising, and discomfort during the first two weeks, which can be managed with medications. Dr. Lipschitz may recommend applying ointment to the incisions and will provide detailed post-operative instructions.
Full recovery after breast surgery and other procedures typically takes four to six weeks, but you will have residual swelling for several more weeks or months. Incisions should be mostly healed by week six, though you may experience intermittent muscle pain and tightness. After 12 weeks, your breast implants should start to drop and look more natural, and high-impact exercise may resume around this time.
Swimwear After Breast Augmentation
Your body needs extra time to heal before you wear a bra with an underwire or structured swimsuit. Depending on how well you’re healing, you may get clearance to wear a regular bra or swimsuit around eight weeks after breast augmentation, but that doesn’t mean you can go swimming. Submerging incisions in lakes, oceans, hot tubs, or swimming pools may increase your risk of complications.
Breast implants tend to sit unnaturally high on the chest during recovery, which may affect how your swimsuit fits. Wait to buy and wear your bathing suit until your implants settle and incisions begin to fade so you feel confident with your breast augmentation results and comfortable in and out of the water. Apply SPF 50 sunscreen often and avoid direct sunlight to protect your incisions for the first year after surgery.
If you’re interested in breast augmentation, schedule a consultation with Dr. Lipschitz in West Palm Beach and Stuart, Florida. Contact Athena Plastic Surgery at (772) 266-5003 to book your appointment.