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How Long Is Recovery From Breast Implant Exchange?
The recovery time after breast implant exchange surgery varies depending on whether you’re having a “simple” or “complex” exchange. Complex vs. simple exchange basically refers to what your surgeon needs to do to achieve your goals (maybe include a lift, do some pocket work, or just take out the old and put it in a new one).
You don’t need to know exactly what type of exchange is right for you before your consultation. Your surgeon will guide you based on your anatomy and goals, and from there will give you specific recovery guidelines and protocols.
But to give you an idea of what to expect, let’s break down some general timelines for simple and complex exchange recovery.
What is the recovery time for a simple breast implant exchange?
A simple breast implant exchange is typically pretty straightforward! It may include things like a small to moderate change in size, swapping profiles, and/or changing brands. A simple exchange wouldn’t require a breast lift, pocket work, or changing the implant placement (like from going OTM to UTM etc).
Because the procedure itself is basically just changing out the implants, the recovery tends to be shorter and more comfortable than your primary breast augmentation. You may feel stiff, a little swollen, and bruised for the first week or so, but many women are back to work in 2-3 days after a simple implant exchange.
Some even have the option for an “awake exchange” using local anesthesia instead of general, which can make the recovery even shorter. In some awake exchange cases, you can even drive yourself home from the procedure!
Because there is still an incision, your surgeon will likely ask you to avoid submerging in water for about 6 weeks and may have some additional lifting restrictions in the initial weeks, depending on your unique procedure.
Simple Breast Implant Exchange Recap:
- 2-3 Days: Off Work/Downtime
- 1-2 Weeks: Peak Bruising + Swelling
- 6 Weeks: Water + Lifting Restrictions
- 6+ Months: Results
What is the recovery time for a complex breast implant exchange?
Giving a timeline for complex breast implant exchange is, well, a little complex. A “complex exchange” can involve a lot of different things, and those things impact your recovery time.
A complex exchange may involve additional procedures like a breast lift, pocket work, addressing a concern such as capsular contracture, changing implant placement, a significant increase in implant size, adding mesh to support the implant…the list goes on.
Regardless of what your exact surgical plan is, a complex exchange will likely be performed under general anesthesia and will probably require a little more downtime than its “simple” counterpart.
Due to the wide range of things that fall into the “complex exchange” bucket, the exact recovery timeline varies a lot.
But to give you an idea: a general timeline for recovery after a complex exchange is around 7-10 days, depending, of course, on your procedure. Swelling and bruising are to be expected in the first several weeks, and your results may take up to a year (again, depending on what your complex exchange entailed). Similar to the simple exchange, because there is an incision, you’ll likely be asked to avoid swimming/baths and lifting anything heavier than a gallon of milk for at least 6 weeks.
Complex Breast Implant Exchange Recovery Recap:
- 7-10 Days: Downtime may be more or less, depending on your unique procedure
- 1-2 Weeks: Peak swelling and bruising will vary a lot depending on anatomy and procedure
- 12 Months: Results after a complex exchange may take about a year to develop
As always, it’s important to talk through your recovery plan and protocols with your surgeon during your consultation and pre-op.
They’ll be there to provide you with a solid timeline that will keep your recovery as safe and as smooth as possible.
Remember, your consultation, pre-op, and follow-up appointments are for YOU. Don’t be shy— bring that notebook full of questions, take notes, and ask anything that’s on your mind.
Being informed and mentally prepared for recovery ahead of time can help mitigate the post-op panic and help set realistic expectations for the healing process and timeline.
Learn more about implant exchange recovery from women who’ve been there.
Connect with like-minded women who’ve had breast implant exchange surgery or are considering it in the free Bustmob Community. Bustmob’s a safe, private, women-only space created to give you a judgement-free place to ask questions, swap stories and experiences, and get the real nitty-gritty, wish-I-had-known-sooner details of plastic surgery. We hope to see you there!