19 Quick Answers That Will Change Your View of Breast Augmentation Surgery Forever

Breast implants

Breast augmentation surgery is a popular procedure, but it often comes with a lot of questions and uncertainties. Whether you’ve been considering it for a while or are just beginning your research, it’s natural to feel some anxiety about what to expect. This guide by Lucia Clinic Dubai provides 19 quick, insightful answers to common questions that can transform your perspective on breast augmentation. These answers aim to provide clarity, ease your concerns, and help you make an informed decision about whether this surgery is right for you.

In this article, you’ll learn:

  1. What is breast augmentation surgery?
  2. How can I prep myself for breast augmentation surgery?
  3. The big question – how long am I under anesthesia during breast augmentation surgery?
  4. I really want to head to the beach – when should I do it after breast augmentation surgery?
  5. When can I wear a regular bra after breast augmentation surgery?
  6. I know my new breasts will feel tight after breast augmentation – when will they stop?
  7. When is it okay to sleep on my side after breast augmentation?
  8. My breasts are swollen after breast augmentation – how can I reduce them?
  9. My breast augmentation post-op recovery has started – when can I remove the bandages?
  10. How can I relieve the pain after breast augmentation surgery?
  11. I feel much better now – when can I drive after breast augmentation surgery?
  12. I lost some of the sensation in my breasts – how can I get it back?
  13. I had breast augmentation surgery and then got pregnant – now what?
  14. My chest muscles are sore after breast augmentation – how can I relax them?
  15. My breast augmentation surgery is finished – what can I expect now?
  16. I am yearning for a bath – when can I take one after breast augmentation?
  17. How can I recover super fast after my breast augmentation surgery?
  18. How can I prevent stretch marks after breast augmentation surgery?
  19. How much do I need to pay for my breast augmentation surgery in Dubai?

1. What Is Breast Augmentation Surgery?

Breast augmentation is a surgery that makes your breasts biggerIt can be done with silicone breast implants, which the surgeon places under your chest muscles or under your breast tissue, or through a fat transfer breast augmentation Dubai surgeon does. In fat grafting, fat from other areas of your body, like the abdomen or thighs, is used to enhance your breast volume.

That’s what breast augmentation in Dubai offers. It helps you reconstruct your breasts. This can mean that one of your breasts is smaller than the other and needs a little boost. Or you have finished planning your family and lost a significant amount of weight, and now you want to focus on yourself and make your breasts look as they did before your pregnancy.

One important thing is that it is a surgery after which you usually can go home the same day. You rarely have to stay overnight in a hospital or surgical center.

2. How Can I Prep Myself for Breast Augmentation Surgery?

If you are just starting to consider it, you have already booked a consultation with your best plastic surgeon in Dubai, or you are counting the days before D-day. Read the following tips:

  • Explore Breast Augmentation Surgery Thoroughly: Before making your decision, learn about this surgery as much as you can – what it involves in every detail. This way, you will be sure that this surgery is right for you and that you are comfortable going through this process.
  • Be in the Best Emotional and Physical Shape: This is important for your surgery to be successful and for your recovery, of course. You will have a much faster and better healing experience. This means that you have a stable weight and are generally healthy. As for emotional state – don’t neglect it. You need to feel okay about the procedure and surround yourself with supportive people.
  • Follow Your Surgeon’s Recommendations: This may include a lot of different advice, like proper nutrition, regular sleep, exercise, and minimizing stress.
  • Be Transparent with Your Surgeon: This means that you need to inform him about all medications, vitamins, and supplements you are taking and about all the illnesses or conditions you may have. This could interfere with your surgery and prolong your recovery period.
  • Make Post-Op Arrangements: Because you don’t want to come home after surgery and be unprepared for your recovery. First, arrange for someone to drive you home because you won’t be able to do it because of anesthesia side effects. Then do everything around the house that you won’t be able to do in the next period. Put all your food in the lower levels to avoid reaching for it.
  • Bring a List of Last-Minute Questions: On the day of your surgery, don’t forget to bring any remaining questions for your surgeon. It’s common to think of things at the last minute, so having them written down will ensure you don’t miss anything important.

3. How Long Am I Under Anesthesia During Breast Augmentation?

For this surgery, you are under general anesthesia. In most cases, it lasts for 1 hour, so during that time, you are completely asleep. You are unaware of what’s happening around you, nor will you remember the surgery itself when you wake up.

Since you are fully asleep, an anesthesiologist monitors your vital signs while your plastic surgeon and the staff are performing the surgery. So, you are in good hands all through the process of breast augmentation.

As for pain, anesthesia itself is not painful. The only discomfort you may feel is a small needle prick when the IV is placed. You’ll usually wake up 30 minutes to an hour after the surgery. In total, you’ll be under anesthesia for about 1 to 2 hours. Arrange for someone to pick you up from the hospital and drive you home.

Getting a surgery

Fat transfer is one of the best ways for breast augmentation.

4. When Can I Head to the Beach After Breast Augmentation?

If your scars are dry and properly healed, you can go underwater after 6 to 8 weeks. And you can go swimming in natural water after 3 months. Your incisions need to be completely healed so you don’t catch bacteria from the water and end up with an unnecessary infection. If you do go to the beach sooner, just don’t get your incisions wet.

Also, try not to expose yourself to the sun too soon after the surgery. The sun can increase your swelling or make your scars darker than they should be.

Be patient with beach activities like volleyball, for example. It is too strenuous for you in the early stage of recovery, so wait for 6 to 8 weeks before you serve a ball. You’ll also need to wear a compression garment or a sports bra for 4 to 6 weeks before you can slip on a fun and flattering swimsuit top.

5. When Can I Wear a Regular Bra After Breast Augmentation?

Your new breasts will need some time to settle, which usually takes 3 months.  Also, the exact moment when you can start wearing normal bras depends on the type of implants you got. You’ll need to wear a sports bra or compression garment if you have silicone breast implants because your new breasts need to be supported as they are healing.

It is important that your silicones are smooth and round or textured and teardrop-shaped. For smooth and round implants, it can take months before they drop and settle, and for teardrop implants, you need to super support them in order to prevent them from rotating and creating an unnatural look.

To avoid buying the wrong size too soon, stick with inexpensive, comfortable bras without underwires during recovery. Underwires can interfere with your incisions and delay healing.

6. I Know My New Breasts Will Feel Tight After Breast Augmentation, But When Do They Stop?

Once you get silicone implants, your breasts start to heal and swell, and that’s why you feel tightness. It takes time for the muscles and tissues around your implants to stretch and get used to the added volume. As your breast pockets expand, your breasts start to fluff, drop, and get that natural look and feel you were expecting.

So, when does that happen? Generally, after 2 to 3 months post-op, your new breasts will get softer and more settled. As for tightness, you may have to wait for 6 months to fully resolve. But, tightness after breast augmentation surgery is normal.

7. When Is It Okay to Sleep on My Side After Breast Augmentation?

We all know that every surgery requires extra rest afterward, but some surgeries change how you should sleep. Breast augmentation is one of those – you need to sleep on your back post-op. You need to rest and keep your body comfortable while it is healing.
You can slowly change your sleep routine and try sleeping on your side after 6 to 8 weeks. During this time, your beasts will have healed in a way that the implants won’t cause pain and discomfort anymore. Sleeping on your side too soon may lead to wrinkling around the breast area, and you definitely don’t want that to happen.
Also, once you start sleeping on your side, put a soft pillow under your breasts to lower the pressure on them. And don’t forget to wear your approved bra – it will keep your implants in the right place even when you start sleeping on your side.
Surgical instruments

Answers to all the questions will change your view of breast augmentation surgery forever.

8. My Breasts Are Swollen After Breast Augmentation – How Can I Reduce It?

Swelling is normal after this type of surgery. Your body is reacting to surgery, and swelling is part of your healing process. Most swelling appears in the first 3 days and then slowly decreases. By the end of 3 weeks, there is a huge difference in how much your swelling has reduced. By the end of week 6, the swelling should be cut in half, and after 6 months, your swelling should be completely gone. Take a photo of your breasts right after the surgery and 3 weeks after to compare.

Here are some effective tips for reducing swelling:

  • Don’t Neglect Your Compression Garment: You’ll wear it right after the surgery for a couple of weeks. Then you can wear a tight sports bra with no wires or cups to keep your new breasts properly supported.
  • Apply Cold Compresses:  Ice can really help you reduce swelling in the first 3 days. You can put ice packs or towels stuffed with ice or even bags of frozen peas on the treated area, just not directly in contact with your skin. Always wrap the frozen item with something. Do it for 15 minutes and then take a break for 20 minutes. Cold constricts your blood vessels and limits fluids and blood leaks.
  • Sleep in an Elevated Position: Since you need to sleep on your back after surgery, try to sleep with your chest a bit higher than your lower body. This way you can improve circulation and relieve the pressure of your breasts – and reduce the swelling.
  • Hydrate, Hydrate, Hydrate: When you drink a lot of water while you are recovering post-op, your body flushes away everything you don’t need, swelling included.
  • Don’t Strain Yourself – Take It Easy:  Just take as much rest as you can. No reaching, lifting heavy things, or moving around quickly should be on the list of your routine – your swelling can get even worse.
  • Gentle Massage (When Approved): Once your surgeon gives the go-ahead, gentle massaging of the breasts can help with the swelling. This can help promote the natural movement of fluids and encourage the implants to settle into place.
  • Wear Loose-Fitting Clothes: Avoid tight clothing that could put pressure on your chest. Opt for loose, comfortable clothing that won’t irritate the healing area and allow for proper circulation.

9. When Can I Remove the Bandages?

The moment you can remove your bandages depends on what kind of bandages you have. If your bandages are held in place by your postoperative garment, you need to remove them and place new ones once a day for a week until you meet with your surgeon for a follow-up appointment. The surgeon will then tell you if you can totally remove your bandages.

If, on the other hand, you have bandages that are held by clear plastic tape, you can remove the bandages 2 days post-surgery.

When bandages are off, you will be left with sutures or stitches. They can be dissolvable, or you’ll need to head to your surgeon to pull them out.

10. How Can I Relieve Pain After Breast Augmentation Surgery?

It’s normal to experience some level of pain after breast augmentation. But you can do some simple tricks to minimize it. Your surgeon will prescribe you pain medications. They irritate the stomach, so they are generally taken with anti-nausea medication, and after you have eaten well.

You can also try some basic exercises to relax the muscles and therefore ease the pain. Just make sure your surgeon gives you the green light to do them. Here are some simple exercises that can help:

  • Shoulder Rolls: Slowly lift your shoulders up to your ears and lower them down, 10 times. Then, gently roll your shoulders forward and backward.
  • Arm Circles: Sit down and move your arms in slow circles. Do 10 circles forward, then 10 circles backward.
  • Pectoral Stretch: Place your forearm on top of your head and use your opposite hand to gently touch your elbow. Hold for 10 seconds, then switch sides. This stretch targets the pectoral muscles.

If you’re considering fat grafting Dubai surgeons offer, alongside breast augmentation, it can provide a more natural look by using your own body fat to enhance breast volume. The recovery process for fat grafting is similar to traditional breast augmentation, but there may be some additional swelling or tenderness in the areas where the fat is harvested, such as the abdomen or thighs.

11. When Can I Drive After Breast Augmentation Surgery?

Generally, it can be after one week to several weeks post-op. So, the first week will definitely keep you at home, but after that, if your surgeon says it’s okay, you can start driving again. The reason why you need to wait for at least a week is that pain medications can make you feel drowsy. Also, you will need to move slowly because of stitches, swelling, and so on – your attention won’t be fully on the road. So, it all boils down to this – wait until you are recovered enough to drive again.

12. I Lost Some of the Sensation in My Breast – How Can I Get It Back?

This happens because some of the nerves in your breasts got disrupted by the surgery or are compressed because of the swelling. The loss of sensation may last for a couple of months, but there are some things you can do to feel better.

The nerves will naturally start to regenerate, and you may feel itching and sometimes even pain in your new breasts.
Don’t hesitate to touch the numb areas of your breast – massage them to stimulate the nerves and speed up their regeneration. You can combine massaging your breasts with daily massaging of the scars. Focus on the nipple area as well – by massaging your nipples, you restore or create new paths of sensation between your brain and your breasts.

One fact that might lower the chances of losing sensation in your breasts is the size of your implants. Choosing implants that are proportionate to your chest diameter may minimize the disruption to the nerves. With only slightly smaller implants, you will disturb fewer nerves and so keep most of the sensations in your breasts as before.

With time, sensation should return, but if you’re still concerned, be sure to discuss it with your surgeon during follow-up visits.

13. I Had Breast Augmentation Surgery and Then Got Pregnant – Now What?

Pregnancy can be a surprise, even right after breast augmentation, but don’t worry—there’s no direct risk to your pregnancy from the surgery.

  • Breastfeeding: You can likely still breastfeed. Implants are typically placed under the chest muscles, leaving the breast tissue above them unaffected. However, whether you can breastfeed depends on other factors, not just the implants.
  • Incisions and Milk Ducts: You may wonder if incisions can harm milk ducts. They shouldn’t harm them because they are made under the breasts, and the implants are placed through the incisions under the breast tissue.
  • How Pregnancy Affects Your Breasts: Well, it all depends. Every woman is different, and every breast augmentation is special. If you don’t gain a lot of weight during pregnancy and if you got smaller implants, then you won’t notice significant changes in your breasts. Your breasts do get larger during pregnancy, but not because of implants. It may happen that breast glands stretch the skin of your breasts, but after pregnancy, your breasts can simply return to their normal size. Some women also explore a tummy tuck in Dubai to address multiple areas impacted by pregnancy, such as the abdomen and breasts.

If, on the other hand, you do get saggy breasts after pregnancy and breastfeeding, then you can simply get a breast lift Dubai procedure and return your breasts to their normal pre-pregnancy position.

14. My Chest Muscles Are Sore After Breast Augmentation – How Can I Relax Them?

This is something that is usual after breast augmentation, but it can be quite uncomfortable. Fortunately, there is something you can do like taking a massage. First of all, your chest muscles are tight because they are in spasm after the surgery.

When you get your implants under the chest muscles, they need some time to relax again. This is where massage can help. When you get a back massage, it immediately relaxes your front chest muscles. All these muscles are connected by fibrous tissue. Just get this massage in a sitting position, not while lying on your stomach. If you’d like to complement physical recovery with skin tightening, consider a non-surgical lift like Venus Legacy in Dubai treatment.

Next, you can also directly massage your breasts – it will also relax chest muscles. Do it gently and softly because if you press your breasts too hard, you can end up feeling even more pain, or dislocating your implant. The usual breast massage is the implant roll – you take off your bra, use your open palm and press it under the nipple. And then you roll your palm upward against the chest wall. Do it for 10 to 15 seconds, 3 to 5 times a day.

Last, but not least, keep a good posture. If you stand upright and sleep in the proper position, you will relax your chest muscles by taking the unnecessary stress off them.

15. MY BREAST AUGMENTATION SURGERY IS FINISHED – WHAT CAN I EXPECT NOW?

Okay, you’ve done your research, found a perfect plastic surgeon, prepared for the surgery, had the surgery, and now what?  Let’s talk about what you can expect after your surgery.

The Very First Day After Surgery

You can go home soon after it’s all finished, and you won’t feel nauseous from the anesthesia. If you feel comfortable enough, the doctor lets you go home. If you feel like you need to spend the night at the surgical facility, that’s okay, too. If you do go home, remember that someone needs to pick you up.

You get instructions from your surgeon on how to take care of your bandages and incisions – follow them because you do want to heal as quickly as possible and avoid being left with scars. And then you just rest.

The First Week After Surgery

During the first week, your body is working hard to heal your incisions. Eat well to give your body enough energy. Keep relaxing and steer clear of heavy lifting, even if you feel well. You will feel the discomfort where your incisions are, and the swelling will climax on the third day. Your new breasts will also feel tight. But try not to give in to these gloomy thoughts. All the discomfort will eventually pass, and then you will say to yourself – I should have done this sooner.

The First Month After Surgery

You will start feeling much better at the start of the second week. You will probably get a green light to drive again. You will still have to wear bras that don’t have wires, but soft sports bras. Your breasts still need to be properly supported. After this first month, you will probably be able to start working out again – only slowly, of course, and return to your normal routine.

The First Year After Surgery

Once the first month is over, your swelling will noticeably drop. Your incisions should be almost completely healed. You will still have some swelling in the next months, but it will become hardly noticeable.

Also, the scars will change and may look even worse than before. But you need to be patient because scars need a year or a year and a half to start looking as they will look forever. Just follow the instructions about taking care of your scars, and you will minimize their appearance.

16. I Am Yearning for a Bath – When Can I Take One After My Breast Augmentation?

Taking a bath right away won’t be a good idea, because your stitches need 48 hours to close completely. So you can’t submerge them in the water at first. In the first 2 days, you should even avoid showering, but after that, you need to clean the incisions with a sponge, soft cloth, or gauze wetted with lukewarm water. You can use non-irritating soap to gently clean the area around the incisions, so don’t disrupt or rub the incisions directly. So, basically, you’ll need to wait for your incisions to fully heal until you can take a bath, and that’s approximately 6 weeks.

17. How Can I Recover Super Fast After My Breast Augmentation Surgery?

There are several things you can do to make your breast augmentation journey smoother and quicker:

  • Prepare Your Recovery Space Ahead of Time: Put all the things you need close to your bed or recliner – pain medications, vitamins, TV remote, books, etc.
  • Get Help During the First Week: Have someone by your side at least for the first week. It can be your partner, cousin, or friend. It’s important to have someone support you both physically and emotionally.
  • Eat Healthy and Stay Hydrated: Healthy nutrition is vital during your recovery. Include almonds, apples, bananas, oranges, eggs, beans, and rice in your diet, but try to avoid salty food – it can increase the swelling. Drink loads of water, lemonade, or orange juice to help your body flush away all unnecessary residue, but steer clear of fizzy drinks and alcohol for a couple of weeks.
  • Avoid Smoking Pre- and Post-Op: Smoking can interfere with the speed of your recovery because it constricts your blood vessels and lowers your blood supply, which is more than necessary for a fast recovery. Try to avoid smoking six weeks pre- and post-op.
  • Rest as Much as Possible: Don’t go to work for at least 2 weeks and take it easy. Your mobility will return slowly, but until it does, don’t make any sudden movements. You don’t want to disrupt your new breasts.
  • Follow Your Surgeon’s Instructions: Follow all the instructions given by your surgeon to recover quickly and smoothly. Plus, body contouring Dubai experts do is a minimally invasive option to smooth out small dips or improve shape during recovery.
  • Don’t Neglect Your Compression Garment: Wear it as instructed. It provides proper support to your new breasts but also reduces swelling and bruising. This definitely helps you speed up your recovery.

18. HOW CAN I PREVENT STRETCH MARKS AFTER BREAST AUGMENTATION SURGERY?

Stretch marks may appear on your new breasts because the skin is stretched to accommodate the implants.
So, it needs a bit of time to adjust and return its elasticity. There are some things you can do to prevent stretch marks from becoming too visible, such as treatments like Viora cellulite alongside skincare.

Keep your skin moisturized with products that have Vitamin E. Massage these products gently into your breasts, and your skin will be hydrated and elastic. You can combine these products with a scar minimization routine, usually 6 weeks post-op. There are several treatment options that can reduce the appearance of stretch marks, like laser treatments, microneedling, and others. The best thing you can do is ask your doctor to recommend which treatment for strechmarks would be the most suitable in your case.

A doctor and a client

You can get stretchmark reduction treatment after the surgery.

19. How Much Do I Need to Pay for My Breast Augmentation Surgery in Dubai?

Every breast augmentation surgery is different because every patient is different. So, the total cost may vary accordingly. The surgery cost is affected by the choice of implant type and its size. The latest generation of implants may cost more than usual. There are some other expenses that have to be covered, such as hospital stays, for example. If you’re considering liposuction in Dubai in conjunction with breast augmentation, this may influence the overall cost as well.

To get an accurate estimate, schedule a consultation with a plastic surgeon. You can talk about the best financial options for you and cover all the details regarding the surgery, and of course, how and how much to pay for it.

Your Breast Augmentation Journey Explained

Breast augmentation is a transformative procedure that requires careful planning, preparation, and recovery. From the initial consultation to the final stages of healing, understanding what to expect can help make your experience smoother and more rewarding. Whether it’s managing pain, preventing stretch marks, or knowing when to resume your normal activities, taking the right steps at each stage is key to achieving the best results. Always follow your surgeon’s advice, stay patient during recovery, and remember that the end result will enhance your confidence and self-image. Now, over to you – schedule a consultation with Lucia’s plastic surgeons and find out what this surgery can do for you.