Is Breast Augmentation Really Painful? Not So!

Considering breast augmentation? Let’s review the pain factor. While discomfort thresholds from breast augmentation are highly individualized, research shows that there is no difference in the level of pain when comparing different implant sizes, techniques, dissection of the breast pocket or the duration of surgery. Researchers have also identified that discomfort from breast augmentation tends to be localized, affecting the treatment area and surrounding areas- not the whole body. On the positive side, plastic surgeons know the ways to manage discomfort associated with breast surgery before it begins.

Every plastic surgeon’s goal is to make their patients feel comfortable. Dr. Abramson takes every precaution to ensure you can stay ahead of discomfort. He will provide you with a list of pre- operative and post-operative instructions to reduce the risk of discomfort from breast surgery.  Following post- operative instructions can also reduce recovery time so you can perform normal activities as early as a week after surgery. Fear management is another factor in pain. So, the better informed you are about your procedure, the less fear you will tend to have and this usually translates into less pain.

Secondly, you will be under general anesthesia for your procedure so you will not feel any pain during the procedure. During the procedure, some plastic surgeons inject anti-pain medication into the treatment area before the incision is made to help manage pain while you are in the recovery room. Some plastic surgeons place pain packs into the breast pocket during surgery in order to reduce post- operative pain.

Following breast surgery, your vital signs, such as blood pressure and heart rate, will be monitored and these signs denote the extent of discomfort that you are experiencing.  Pain medication will be administered to relieve discomfort. Once you return home, narcotics, such as Percocet, or muscle relaxants may be needed for a short duration, but often Ibuprofen will provide satisfactory relief from discomfort. Your plastic surgeon will also advise that you rest and sleep which will aid in discomfort relief. In addition, your plastic surgeon will suggest that you become a bit active as soon as possible by getting out of bed, showering, getting dressed, and blow drying your hair to loosen your pectoralis major muscles, which could otherwise become stiff and painful.  In some cases, a temporary pain pump or catheter will be placed in each breast following surgery, but this is not a necessity for many patients.

The two key ingredients for managing discomfort following breast surgery begin and end with pain medication and participation in normal muscle movement as quickly as possible after surgery.  In the end, the equation for managing breast surgery pain can be simple for the vast majority of patients.

If you are interested in a plastic surgery, call board certified Dr. David Abramson, New York, New York plastic surgeon for a thorough consultation at 201-731-3134!

  • Share: