Contents
Your recovery at a glance
- Off work
- Return to work: usually 1–2 weeks for desk jobs, 4–6 weeks for physical work (your surgeon will confirm)
- Driving
- No driving for first week or until off pain medication
- Showering
- You can shower from day 1 (unless your surgeon says otherwise), it’s fine if the outer dressings get damp; pat dry gently
- Exercise
- No exercise except gentle walking for at least 2–3 weeks
- Your garment
- Use a well-fitting soft support bra as advised by your surgeon
- First review
- Week 1 (Days 7–10)
- Full recovery
- 4–6 weeks for full recovery
This is a general guide for the average patient. Your own instructions come with your discharge information and in your recovery guide in the Waterfront patient app, and they come first.
Before you leave the hospital
- Painkillers: Make sure you have your painkillers before you leave, the nurse looking after you will go through them with you.
- Follow-up appointments: You will be given a card with details of your first dressing clinic / follow-up appointment and contact details for the ward if you have any concerns once you get home.
- Getting home safely: You must have someone to take you home and a responsible adult with you for the first night.
Week by week
Days 1–3 Early recovery
What is normal
- Significant swelling and bruising
- Discomfort and tightness in chest
- Tiredness and need for rest
- A little oozing from the wounds
- If removal only: breasts may appear deflated initially
- If exchange: new implants may feel high and firm
What to do
- Wear surgical support bra 24/7 as instructed
- Rest with head/torso elevated (2-3 pillows)
- Apply cold compresses to reduce swelling (20 min on, 20 min off)
- Keep dressings clean and dry
- Take prescribed pain medication (including dihydrocodeine if prescribed)
- Light walking only (to bathroom)
- Sleep in whatever position is comfortable
- Allow yourself time to adjust emotionally to appearance changes
Days 4–7 Improving daily
What is normal
- Gradual reduction in swelling and bruising
- Discomfort decreasing daily
- Feeling more mobile
- Energy levels gradually improving
- May experience occasional twinges or zaps
- If capsulectomy performed: more swelling than simple removal
What to do
- Continue wearing support bra continuously
- Gentle cleaning of incisions if dressings removed
- Light activities around the house
- Short, gentle walks (5–10 minutes)
- Continue elevation when resting
- Attend first follow-up appointment (usually day 7)
- Avoid forceful overhead activity if it pulls or hurts
Week 2 Increased activity
What is normal
- Noticeable reduction in swelling
- Bruising fading to yellow/green
- Feeling much more like yourself
- Adjusting to new appearance
- Some numbness or tingling may persist
What to do
- Continue support bra as instructed
- Can return to desk work if comfortable
- Gentle stretching of arms (below shoulder height)
- Short walks outside (10–15 minutes)
- Light household tasks (no heavy lifting)
- Begin scar care if instructed
- Can usually return to work if desk-based
- Avoid strenuous activities
Weeks 3–4 Mostly healed
What is normal
- Significant improvement in appearance
- Most swelling resolved
- Final shape becoming more apparent
- If removal only: tissue settling into natural position
- Feeling confident with results
- Returning to normal activities
What to do
- Can transition to supportive sports bras (if approved)
- Can resume most normal daily activities
- Light exercise may be permitted (with approval)
- Continue scar care with recommended products
- Can raise arms fully
- Protect from sun exposure
Months 2–3 Final settling
What is normal
- Final shape fully apparent
- All swelling completely resolved
- If exchange: implants settling into position
- Scars significantly faded
- Feeling completely normal
- Full range of motion
What to do
- Can wear normal supportive bras
- Avoid underwire bras for several more weeks
- Full exercise with surgeon approval
- Continue sun protection on scars
- Follow-up appointment around month 3
Month 6+ Complete recovery
What is normal
- Final results fully visible
- Scars well-healed and faded
- Complete return to all activities
- Confident with appearance
- Can wear any bra style
What to do
- Can wear any bra style (including underwire if comfortable)
- All activities permitted
- Regular exercise including upper body
- Continue long-term care as advised
- Annual check-ups as recommended
Wound care and scars
- Shower from day 1 is fine (unless your surgeon says otherwise), pat dressings dry gently afterwards
- Change dressings as instructed by your surgeon
- After first week, gently clean incisions with mild soap and water
- Apply recommended scar cream after sutures removed (usually 10–14 days)
- Watch for signs of infection: redness, swelling, discharge, or fever
- Do not submerge in bath, pool, or hot tub for 4–6 weeks
- If capsulectomy performed: expect more swelling than simple removal
Comfort and pain relief
- Take your painkillers as directed on their labels, every medicine you go home with is labelled with its dose and frequency, and your nurse will go through them with you before you leave. Paracetamol and ibuprofen can safely be taken together
- Take prescribed pain medication as directed
- Some discomfort, tightness, and swelling is normal
- Use cold packs (wrapped in towel) for first 48 hours to reduce swelling
- Swelling typically peaks at 48–72 hours, then gradually decreases
- Wearing supportive bra helps reduce discomfort
- Most pain subsides significantly after first week
- If capsulectomy performed: pain and swelling may be greater
Information on support bras
A well-fitting support bra made of soft fabric can provide comfort and support during the first few weeks following implant removal or exchange.
The bra is mainly for support and comfort. It helps:
- Reduce swelling and discomfort
- Provide gentle support to healing tissues
- Provide gentle support and comfort while new implants settle (if exchange)
- Allow better sleep and rest
- Your surgeon will advise you on the type of bra to wear and how long you should wear it (for example, day and night for the first 4–6 weeks).
Support bra guide
Why a Support Bra Matters
- Reduces swelling and discomfort
- Provides gentle support to healing tissues
- If exchange: gentle support and comfort while the new implants settle
- Allows better sleep and faster healing
- Bra Requirements
- No underwiring
- Front opening (not over head)
- Adjustable straps
- Soft, seamless fabric
- Correct band size (measure accurately)
- How Long to Wear
- Weeks 1–4: 24/7 (day and night)
- Weeks 4–6: During the day and when in public
- After 6 weeks: As comfortable, transition to normal supportive bras
- Additional Bras of Your Choice, High Street Options: M&S, Tesco, ASDA, John Lewis
- Specialist Brands:
- Macom Signature Bra
- Lipoelastic PI Ideal
- Lipoelastic PI Relax (use code QUABA for discount)
- Your first bra: At Waterfront we provide you with a Macom post-surgical bra, and our nursing team will fit it before you go home. You do not need to bring one.
Scar care
When to Start, Begin at week 5 if wounds are fully healed and sutures have been removed
The Routine
- Tape (3–5 days): Apply Micropore tape to scars
- Moisturise (1–2 days): Remove tape, apply plain moisturiser
- Repeat this cycle for 4–6 months
- Products to Use
- Tape: Micropore 3M (from pharmacy, around £5)
- Moisturiser: Aveeno, E45, or Bio-Oil
- Scar Timeline
- 3 months: Scars still pink/red
- 6 months: Fading to lighter colour
- 1 year: Final appearance (usually very faint)
- Note: Incisions are typically placed in inconspicuous locations to minimise visible scarring. Scars fade remarkably well with proper care and time.
Lifestyle guidelines
✓ DO
- Walk regularly from day 1
- Eat healthy foods rich in protein
- Drink plenty of water
- Sleep well (use pillows for elevation)
- Take medications as directed
- Attend all appointments
- Wear support bra 24/7 for first 4–6 weeks
- Allow time to adjust emotionally
- ✗ AVOID
- Smoking (severely delays healing)
- Alcohol for 2–3 weeks
- Heavy lifting for 6 weeks
- Strenuous exercise for 4–6 weeks
- Underwired bras for 6–8 weeks
- Swimming until wounds fully healed
- Direct sun on scars for 1 year
Activity, driving and work
- No lifting over 5kg for 6 weeks
- No driving for first week or until off pain medication
- Light activities and walking are encouraged from day 1
- You can use your arms normally for light tasks from the start; avoid forceful or repetitive overhead activity for the first 2–3 weeks if it pulls or hurts
- Return to work: usually 1–2 weeks for desk jobs, 4–6 weeks for physical work (your surgeon will confirm)
- No exercise except gentle walking for at least 2–3 weeks
- Gradually resume exercise after 4–6 weeks with surgeon approval
Follow-up appointments
- Further nurse reviews, as needed: Some patients need further nurse reviews. If so, the nurses will arrange these with you and will discharge you from nurse-led care once they are happy your wounds have healed.
- Around 6 months: surgeon review (final follow-up): Your surgeon will usually see you at around 6 months to assess your final result. Your surgeon is always available to review you sooner if required, and in some circumstances may wish to see you before your final follow-up.
Common questions
What will my breasts look like after removal?
If implants are removed without replacement, breasts may initially appear deflated or loose. Over several weeks, tissue will settle. Final appearance depends on breast tissue, skin elasticity, and whether you had implants for many years. Gravity will gradually improve the appearance.
Will I need a breast lift after removal?
Some patients benefit from a breast lift to improve shape after implant removal, especially if they had implants for many years. This is discussed during your consultation. Some patients choose to have this done at the same time as removal; others prefer to wait and see how tissues settle.
How long until I see my final shape?
Tissue will continue to settle for 3–6 months. Initial shape is visible by week 6, but final appearance becomes apparent by month 3 as swelling completely resolves.
Is it normal to feel emotional about my appearance?
Absolutely. Your breasts will look different from what you have been used to for years. This is a significant change and emotional reactions are completely normal. Many patients feel sad, disappointed, or relieved initially. Give yourself time to adjust – most patients adapt within weeks.
When can I wear normal bras?
After 4–6 weeks, you can transition to supportive sports bras. Avoid underwire bras for at least 6–8 weeks. You can wear regular bras by months 2–3 as directed by your surgeon.
Can I have new implants inserted later?
Yes. If you have implants removed and later decide you want them replaced, you can usually have a new surgery. However, if you are having exchange (removal and new implants), this happens during your current surgery.
Your guide in the patient app
Your recovery guide in the Waterfront patient app is the personal, dated version of this page, with your own instructions, your appointments and the hospital’s contact details.
Download the printed leaflet (PDF)
Your discharge information and your recovery guide in the Waterfront patient app tell you who to contact and when. If you have any concerns about your recovery, contact the hospital using the details you were given.