As you prepare to undergo breast augmentation, you may be reading up on what you need to do to 
have a successful surgery and recovery. After all, breast augmentation is surgery, which is why it’s important you take steps to improve your health and increase your chances for the best possible outcome.
However, knowing how to care for your breasts throughout the years following augmentation is just as important as caring for yourself prior to surgery. Take a look at the following guidelines to learn more about how to care for your breasts long-term following augmentation.
Year one after surgery
After breast augmentation, your cosmetic surgeon may schedule a series of follow-up appointments so he or she can assess your breasts and make sure that they are healing properly. Do not skip any appointments, and don’t hesitate to contact your surgeon if you have any questions or concerns about your implants.
Massage your breasts as needed per the recommendations provided by your surgeon, and continue to perform a breast self-exam once per month to detect for signs of breast cancer. If you’re not completely familiar with how to perform a breast self-exam following augmentation, ask your surgeon for tips and a demonstration. If you do notice any abnormalities during your self-exam, contact your normal health care provider to undergo further breast cancer screening.
In some cases, the incisions from your breast surgery may take up to one year to fully heal. Keep in mind that even though swelling and bruising may have abated and your bandages have long been removed, incisions usually take a longer time to heal. As years begin to pass, you’ll notice that your incisions will fade and flatten, and become far less noticeable. If you do notice that your incisions become more pronounced over time, and change in either color or size, contact your cosmetic surgeon immediately to undergo an evaluation.
Years two through five after surgery
Depending on your individual healing progress following augmentation, your cosmetic surgeon may request that you return to the clinic for a follow-up appointment after two years. During the follow-up, your surgeon will perform a basic physical examination, and may perform an MRI to look for signs of leaks or ruptures if you opted for silicone breast implants.
Later on, at the five-year mark following augmentation, your cosmetic surgeon may ask you to visit again for another physical examination. Since your body has had years to heal from surgery, you may want to look into other cosmetic procedures that can help you reach your ideal look, such as liposuction or a tummy tuck.
Are you interested in undergoing breast augmentation or another form of breast surgery? GLOW Surgical Arts offers a variety of cosmetic surgery and minimally-invasive procedures to help you look and feel beautiful. Sign up for a free consultation or call GLOW Surgical Arts at (650) 241-2209 to learn more about our services.
