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Will Breast Implants Be Painful?

Patients often wonder how much pain they can expect—and for how long—after having breast augmentation surgery. Yes, you will generally experience some soreness and swelling for at least the first couple of weeks, along with general weakness and fatigue. It’s common to feel tightness in the shoulders, back, and neck, in addition to the chest, after a breast procedure. Many patients report feeling discomfort while sleeping because of the added pressure on their breasts. After any form of major plastic surgery, including breast enhancement, patients can expect a certain amount of discomfort. This is inevitable, given how stressful surgery can be for the body. However, getting breast implants at our NJ-based Burnett Plastic Surgery generally isn’t as painful as some patients might expect it will be. 

It’s also worth remembering that each patient’s body responds differently to the surgery. There are several factors that influence how painful it will be, including the size of the implants and where they are positioned. Larger and heavier implants generally cause more discomfort than lightweight ones. Implants that are placed beneath the pectoral muscles will also usually hurt more. 

Eventually, most of the unpleasant feelings will subside within around a week and patients will be ready to resume their normal activities. Luckily, there are methods of managing the discomfort so that you can have an easier recovery. Sleeping on your stomach or side is discouraged, as it’s better to sleep on your back and with your chest elevated to relieve the strain on your muscles. 

Dr. Carlos Burnett uses pre-operative pain management techniques, including providing patients with pain medications and anti-inflammatories the day before the procedure. He also uses advanced surgical techniques to reduce blood loss and trauma while encouraging rapid healing.

Wearing a surgical bra will help to relieve some of the discomfort after the procedure. You can also ask Dr. Burnett for advice on how light exercises and stretches may help to make the chest muscles feel more comfortable as you recover from surgery. 

Breast enhancement can help to increase your self-confidence, the benefits of which far outweigh the temporary discomfort for many patients. For more details on what will happen during and after breast surgery, contact Burnett Plastic Surgery by calling (908) 233-0200 or submitting a contact form to request a consultation. 

Carlos Burnett