Recovery Time From Breast Implant Exchange Surgery

Wondering how the breast implant exchange recovery compares to your first breast augmentation? 

Good news! The implant exchange recovery tends to be more comfortable and shorter than the initial breast augmentation procedure. 

Especially if your first breast augmentation was done many moons ago, you’ll find that the advancements in technique, medications, and rapid recovery procedures make the recovery period shorter and a lot more comfortable. 

Though the breast implant exchange recovery time is shorter, there’s still a recovery period. 

We never want to oversimplify or lead you astray.

It’s important to note, that although recovery time after an implant exchange tends to be much easier for a lot of people, it all comes down to your specific procedure, your lifestyle, and your anatomy.

We’re all so unique and our recoveries are too. 

But to give you an idea of what to expect, here’s a look at the average recovery after breast implant exchange:

• 1-2 days of downtime (depending on your work)
• Over-the-counter pain medication (most people don’t require prescription pain medication)
• 6 weeks of lifting/exercise restrictions
• Final results in 3-6 months

Of course, everyone’s healing process is unique and if your implant exchange includes breast revision surgery or a breast lift, your recovery may be a little more involved. 

You can learn more about revisions and breast lift recovery in the free Bustmob Academy app. 

Why is a breast implant exchange recovery shorter? 

Your first breast augmentation recovery involves a lot of stretching of the muscles and skin, which can make you feel engorged and tight. Some women in the Bustmob Community, a private space for women interested in plastic surgery, compare it to your milk supply coming in for the first time. 

But because your muscles and skin have already adjusted to having an implant, the recovery for an implant exchange doesn’t have the same pressure and tightness, making it more comfortable for most. 

Not to mention, the scar tissue, or pocket, has already formed. A simple implant exchange isn’t really creating anything brand new, which also helps eliminate some of those post-op aches. 

Local vs. general anesthesia makes a difference in recovery.

Did you know if you’re only going up or down a cup size or two, and aren’t switching implant placement, you may be eligible for local anesthesia? 

Avoiding general anesthesia for an implant exchange, not only saves in costs, but it can make getting back to your life easier and faster. 

However, regardless of whether you go under full or local anesthesia, your overall recovery is still likely to be much easier than your first go around. 

Curious about whether your procedure will be under local or general anesthesia? Your plastic surgeon will work with you to create your surgical plan during your one-on-one consultation. 

Researching implant replacement? The Bustmob Academy app can help.

Whether you’re looking to change your implant size, switch from saline implants to silicone implants, or swap your profile, the free Bustmob Academy app is home to hundreds of videos answering common questions so you are empowered and ready before your consultation. 

Jenny Eden, founder of Bustmob, and Gretta Nance, lead educator at Amelia Aesthetics, dive into all things implants in the Bustmob Academy video series. 

Pair the app with our supportive, drama-free community, home to 60,000+ women and growing every day. The Bustmob Community isn’t shy to share their personal experiences and favorite shopping links. 

From capsular contracture to how to deal with unsupportive friends and family, you’ll have the resources and information you need wherever you are in your plastic surgery journey. 

Researching plastic surgery can be daunting, but you don’t have to do it alone.