Quick Summary
- Breast implant surgery is a day-care surgery.
- If surgery is performed in the morning, you may be able to go home in the evening.
- Major bed rest is not required, and small household activities can be started from the next day.
- Sitting-type work, including work from home, can generally be started after around 3–4 days.
- If your work involves travelling, you may be able to resume it after around 1 week to 10 days.
- The surgery takes approximately 1 to 1.5 hours under general anaesthesia.
- Some mild discomfort, soreness or tightness can be expected after surgery.
- Implant size is selected according to your height, weight, body structure and breast measurements.
- Breast sizers can be used during consultation to help you understand how different implant sizes may look.
How Long Do You Need to Stay in the Hospital After Breast Implant Surgery?
One of the first questions patients ask is whether breast implant surgery requires a long hospital stay.
Breast implant surgery is a day-care surgery. If the surgery is performed in the morning, you may be able to leave the hospital in the evening.
So, you do not necessarily need to plan for several days of hospitalisation simply because you are undergoing breast implant surgery.
Your condition after surgery will be assessed before discharge, and you will be given the necessary instructions for your recovery.
Do You Need Bed Rest After Breast Implant Surgery?
Another common concern is whether you need complete bed rest after the procedure.
Major bed rest is not required. You can start with small household activities from the next day.
The important point is to follow the instructions given to you after surgery and allow your body to recover comfortably rather than trying to return immediately to your usual routine.
When Can You Return to Work After Breast Implant Surgery?
The time required to return to work can depend on the type of work you do.
If your work mainly involves sitting, such as work from home, you can generally start after around 3–4 days.
If your job involves travelling, you may need a little more time. You can generally consider travelling for work after around 1 week to 10 days.
This means that patients with different types of work can plan their breast implant surgery according to their individual schedules.
How Long Does Breast Implant Surgery Take?
Breast implant surgery is performed under general anaesthesia.
The surgery itself takes approximately 1 to 1.5 hours.
While the exact duration can vary from patient to patient, the procedure does not usually take several hours. Your individual surgical plan will be discussed during your consultation.
Is Breast Implant Surgery Painful?
Pain is understandably one of the concerns patients have before breast implant surgery.
It is not generally considered a very painful surgery. After the procedure, you may experience some mild discomfort, soreness or tightness.
Regular prescribed painkillers can help keep you comfortable during the initial recovery period.
So, rather than expecting severe pain, it is more useful to understand that some temporary soreness, discomfort or tightness can occur after the procedure.
How Is the Right Breast Implant Size Chosen?
Choosing an implant size is not simply about deciding whether you want a small, medium or large breast size.
The appropriate implant size is selected by considering factors such as:
- Height
- Weight
- Overall body structure
- Breast measurements
Your desired breast size is also discussed during consultation so that the implant selection can be planned according to your individual requirements.
Can You See How Different Implant Sizes May Look Before Surgery?
Yes. During consultation, we have breast sizers that can help you get an approximate idea of how different implant sizes may look.
You can place the sizers inside your bra and see how the size appears on your body.
This gives you a more practical understanding of the possible breast size rather than choosing an implant based only on a number.
An Indian study published in the Indian Journal of Plastic Surgery has also examined preoperative breast implant size estimation using anthropometric measurements, supporting the importance of assessing individual body measurements when planning implant size.
What Should You Discuss Before Breast Implant Surgery?
Your consultation is an important part of planning breast implant surgery. Instead of choosing an implant size based only on a general preference, your individual body structure and breast measurements need to be considered.
During your consultation, you can discuss:
| Concern | What We Consider |
| Hospital stay | Day-care surgery and possible evening discharge |
| Daily activities | Small household activities from the next day |
| Work | Around 3–4 days for sitting-type work |
| Travelling for work | Around 1 week to 10 days |
| Surgery time | Approximately 1–1.5 hours |
| Discomfort | Mild soreness, discomfort or tightness |
| Implant size | Height, weight, body structure and breast measurements |
| Size selection | Breast sizers to help visualise different sizes |
Frequently Asked Questions About Breast Implant Surgery
How long does breast implant surgery take?
Breast implant surgery takes approximately 1 to 1.5 hours under general anaesthesia.
Is breast implant surgery a day-care procedure?
Yes. Breast implant surgery is a day-care surgery. If the procedure is performed in the morning, you may be able to go home in the evening.
Do I need complete bed rest after breast implant surgery?
No major bed rest is required. Small household activities can be started from the next day.
When can I return to work after breast implant surgery?
For sitting-type work, including work from home, you can generally start after around 3–4 days. If your work involves travelling, you may be able to resume it after around 1 week to 10 days.
Is breast implant surgery painful?
Patients may experience mild discomfort, soreness or tightness after surgery. Prescribed painkillers can help keep you comfortable.
How do I choose the right breast implant size?
Implant size is selected based on your height, weight, body structure and breast measurements. Breast sizers can also be used during consultation to help you understand how different sizes may look.
Planning Breast Implant Surgery?
If you are considering breast implant surgery to increase your breast size, the first step is a detailed consultation. Your body structure, breast measurements and expectations can be discussed before deciding on the appropriate implant size and surgical plan.
Ready to discuss your options?
👉 Click here to schedule your consultation with Dr. Sheetal Aesthetics and take the next step towards understanding your breast implant surgery options.
About the Author
Dr. Sheetal Mithran is a Cosmetic and Plastic Surgeon at Dr. Sheetal Aesthetics, Madurai. She focuses on aesthetic and plastic surgery procedures and believes that treatment planning should be based on each patient’s individual concerns, body structure and expectations.
