When Is the Best Time to Get Breast Augmentation?

posted on:
February 28th, 2022
posted by:
Dr. Thomas Bell, MD

If you’re considering undergoing breast augmentation surgery, one of the many questions you may have is when the best time to undergo the procedure.

Breast augmentation is one of the most popular cosmetic surgeries on the market, consistently being among the top-five surgical plastic surgery procedures performed globally.

Ultimately, the best time to get breast augmentation is whenever you feel most comfortable, during a time frame that works best for you and your goals. For example, for many people, this goal may be to be “swimsuit” ready or to feel more feminine during sundress season.

If you are thinking of getting breast augmentation in Toronto, there are a few things you will want to consider before booking a surgery date.

In today’s blog, we’ll be discussing the best time to get breast augmentation and how to plan it accordingly to your schedule.

Planning Your Best Recovery Timeframe

One of the most important parts of undergoing any type of surgery, is planning out your recovery timeline. Below are some of the key timeline moments of recovering from a breast augmentation procedure.

Minimum Recovery Time

After your breast augmentation procedure, you generally will need a minimum of two to three weeks of recovery before you will be able to resume light activities. After these two weeks, light (but not strenuous) activities may be resumed. This includes not travelling, so be sure to plan your procedure around any potential vacation or upcoming travel plans.

Four to Six Weeks

Four to six weeks of healing are generally required after a breast augmentation procedure before more rigorous activities may be resumed. This can be defined as exercising, or any other physical activities involving the pectoral muscles such as:

  • Lifting heavier items
  • Running
  • Dancing
  • Sports
  • Sexual activity
  • Swimming
  • Any other event that causes a dramatic elevation in heart rate

Waiting for this time frame is important because the blood vessels in your breasts and surgical area are extra delicate after a breast augmentation and can more easily become damaged. Damage to your recovering area can lead to a type of bleeding known as a hematoma, capsular contracture, pain, prolonged recovery, and more. With this said, planning your procedure around possibly strenuous events should wait until at least this mark, and an okay from your surgeon. This can include activities such as moving, spring cleanings, vacations involving physical activities (such as hiking and mountain climbing, or even just family vacations where you may hold your children for extended periods)

The Ideal timeframe: Six Months

While your breast augmentation will be mostly healed within a few weeks of your procedure, it can take anywhere between three to six months before your implants are fully settled into your breasts and take on their final look. Until this time period, while your breasts will appear natural and healed beneath clothing, you may not find they are ready for more revealing outfits such as bathing suits or certain-cut dresses and shirts. After six months, most, if not all, residual swelling and bruising should be gone, and your breast augmentation should be as beach-ready as you are!

Why Winter Is Regarded as the Best Time for Breast Augmentation

With the ideal timeframe of six months in mind, it is widely considered that any time between late fall to early spring is the best time to undergo a breast augmentation procedure. There are many reasons why the cooler season of winter is considered to be the ideal time – Here’s why:

Less Heat and Sweat

Both heat and sweat can be unpleasant and irritating things when it comes to recovering from breast augmentation surgery.

Not only can heat and sweat be unpleasant for their potential odour, but they can also cause other issues such as chafing, inflammation and itchiness, all of which can slow the healing of your breast augmentation.

By undergoing your procedure during the cooler and dry months of winter, you’re less likely to sweat profusely or have your skin become irritated by the heat and thus allow your recovery to go on uninhibited.

Loose Clothing

After your procedure, your surgical area will be fairly tender for the first while. Not only that, but your procedure recovery may also require compression bandages, sutures, and drainage tubes that may be applied to the area, all of which may be difficult and uncomfortable to wear with form-fitting clothing.

With that being said, winter is the perfect season to wear loose, soft, and baggy clothing that will allow for your optimal comfort in recovery.

Another benefit of wearing loose-fitting clothing is that it helps to hide any signs of your recovery, whether it be under a sweater or in public beneath a coat. This can be especially desired by those who do not wish it to be public knowledge that they have undergone the procedure.

It is important to keep in mind that in the early stages of your recovery, you may not be allowed to lift your arms over your head, so clothing you can put on and take off without doing this is important as well – this can include button-down shirts, or robes.

Ready By Summer

As previously mentioned, a common goal of breast augmentation is to have the procedure ready for the warmer weather seasons, where tank tops, bathing suits, sundresses and crop tops are brought out for wear. With a possible recovery time of three to six months on the table, getting a breast augmentation in, say, December will likely have you in pristine condition by May, just in time for the warmer weather of late spring!

Scheduling your procedure during winter will allow you to seamlessly transition between your wardrobe without feeling any insecurity in the signs of your recovery.

Holiday Time Off

While not true of every office or line of work, the winter holiday season often comes with extra days off. This time off may be related to holiday office closures, statutory days off, or unused vacation and overtime that needs to be taken before the year’s end. Having easier access to these potential time off periods allows for you to schedule your procedure and recovery period more easily around your work life.

Breast Augmentation at Toronto Plastic Surgeons

Saline Breast Implants

Saline breast implants are typically the implant known the most about, as it has been the most widely available types of breast surgery for many decades. A saline breast implant is first inserted as an empty casing and placed into the desired positioning, which allows for less invasive incisions to be made. After insertion, the casing is filled to the desired size with a sterile solution of saltwater, known commonly as saline.

Silicone Breast Implants (Gummy Bear)

Silicone breast implants are also known as gummy bear implants, referring to the dense texture of the silicone gel, which is akin to the feeling of a gummy bear.

Gummy bear implants feel more natural than saline implants, are more durable, and do not ripple during movements such as exercise. Due to this, silicone implants are slightly a more expensive option compared to saline.

Gummy bear (cohesive gel) implants are less likely to rupture compared to saline implants due to their more durable material that is less likely to leak out. However, leakage is still possible in the event of a rupture. As silicone cannot be absorbed into the body, removal of the material is necessary for the event of a leakage. It is well recommended for patients to undergo an MRI once every few years to check on the integrity of their silicone implants.

Book Your Breast Augmentation Today

If you’re wishing to get plastic surgery in Toronto and would like to book a consultation, or simply ask about further information or procedures, give us a call at 647-723-3739, or book with us online.

Book with us today and be ready for summer!

Posted by:

Dr. Thomas Bell, MD

Dr. Thomas Bell has been one of Canada’s most renowned cosmetic surgeons for 25 years. He prides his excellence on the harmonious balance of vision, aesthetic appearance, and patient care.

More on Dr. Bell

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