Expertise in Breast Augmentation

  • 24 Hour Recovery Specialist
  • Newest Techniques That Maximize Results
  • Sizing isn't Simple. One on One Custom Sizing with Dr. Hayes.
  • Meticulous Surgical Planning Tailored to Your Body
Selfie photo after breast augmentation.

How can you
​recover in 24 hours
after 
breast augmentation?

Many people think that breast augmentation is painful and that you can't do anything for weeks. That's the old way of doing augmentation surgery. 

Dr. John Tebbetts showed that, in the right patient, recovery can be reduced to 24 hours by following certain principles.

Details of recovery after breast augmentation performed by Dr. Austin Hayes:

  • Breast implants placed under the muscle
  • Virtually bloodless surgery
  • No bruising. Minimal swelling.
  • Go braless. We don't use uncomfortable wraps or tight bras.
  • Most patients only take ibuprofen
  • Use your arms! Brush your hair, take a shower and go out to dinner the same night as surgery.

See One Woman's Recovery Process

The Day of Surgery

"The evening after my surgery we went downtown for a walk and shopped."
The procedure takes 1-2 hours. After being discharged from the surgery center women return home for a 2-hour nap. When you wake up you can get into a warm shower and start using your arms normally. Your only dressings are a waterproof Band-Aids. No special bras are used for the first week.

To keep your chest muscles relaxed, you'll be asked to do gentle arm raises above your head every hour. This takes only 1 minute to complete. We ask our patients to be active after surgery. Get dressed and go out of the house for a walk, or out to dinner, the night of surgery. 
-The only dressing is a waterproof Band-Aid. You can start showering the day of surgery.
-Arm raises start a few hours after surgery and help relax the chest muscles. 

One Day After Surgery

"I've had very little pain."
We'll see you in the office the first day after surgery. During your visit we can answer any questions that you may have and make sure that you're doing great.

The implants typically look high the first day after surgery. This is completely normal. They start settling during the first week and take 2-3 months to settle completely. 
-No special bras are used in the first week. No underwire bras are worn for the first 6 weeks.  

One Week after Surgery

"My friend who had an augmentation can't believe how much easier my recovery has been."
One week after the surgery you're back to day-to-day activities. This young woman took care of herself starting the day after surgery. She could wash her hair, put on makeup, do work at home, and drove herself to her one week appointment. 

​
-One week visit: She gets a fresh set of Bands-Aids that stay on for two more weeks. You can see how the incision is hidden in her natural crease. 

Six Weeks after Surgery

"I love the size. Thank you so much."
Six weeks after surgery this  woman has returned to all activities. At four weeks she restarted cardio. She can now restart chest exercises (yoga, planks, spinning, crossfit). She'll now start wearing a supportive underwire bra. 

Her implants have settled significantly already, but will continue to "drop and fluff" for the next 2-4 months. 
-Her incision has healed beautifully. It's only 4 cm long (less than 2").  It hides in the crease. The incision still has color, but will become pale and white in the coming months. 

The Next 4 months....

Watch her implants settle. Pay close attention to the top of her breasts. Photos are 1 day, 1 week, and 6 weeks after surgery. 

Watch how her implants will "Drop and Fluff"

Over the next 4 months her implants will continue to settle. The bottom of her breasts will round out more and her breasts will look slightly larger. The top of the breasts (upper pole) will become less full as the implants move down slightly. The whole process will take 6 months for her implants to settle fully. 

Breast Augmentation FAQs:

Why should I choose Dr. Hayes?
  • Dr. Hayes is a breast augmentation expert with years of experience.
  • He's known for honest advice and never "sells" you surgery.
  • 100% cosmetic surgery practice.
  • More than 50% of the surgeries he performs are breast augmentation.
  • He specializes in 24 hour recovery.
  • He helps you choose the perfect size.
  • He specializes in techniques that most surgeons rarely/never perform (Internal Bra, Custom Dual Plane, Cleavage Sculpting with Fat).

Which size implant should I pick?
  • Choosing your implant is a very personal choice and it's done together with Portland plastic surgeon Dr. Hayes.
  • Your goal look and your breast measurements are used to pick an implant that's just right for your body. 

Recovery: What can I expect?
  • Outpatient surgery that takes 1-2 hours. 
  • You'll be walking around, or out to dinner, the evening of surgery.
  • Most women only take ibuprofen after the procedure. 
  • Back to day-to-day activities in 24 hours. 

When can I drive?
  • 5-7 days

When can I go back to work?
  • Working remotely? 2-3 days
  • Going into work?  5-7 days

What about working out?
  • Walking: Immediately
  • Longer walks: Immediately 
  • Gentle cardio/Hiking: 2 weeks
  • Cardio/Lower body lifting: 3-4 weeks
  • Chest exercises (includes planks and yoga): 6 weeks 

Do I need a lift with my breast enlargement?
  • A breast lift is used to reshape breasts that are sagging.
  • Measurements are taken in the office to determine when to add a lift. 
  • Using a larger implant will NOT lift sagging breasts. 
  • If your nipple is at, or below, the crease under the breast, then a breast lift is typically needed. 
  • Learn more about when to add a lift to breast enhancement.