Is Breast Augmentation Painful?

Breast augmentation is a form of breast surgery that can have a profound impact on a woman’s sense of satisfaction with her body. Performed with or without a lift, augmentation can achieve the degree of enhancement that brings the body into ideal proportions. Ahead of breast augmentation surgery, patients feel excited about finally feeling like their body aligns with their sense of self. At the same time, many patients wonder what they will go through in terms of pain associated with their breast enhancement procedure. This is a common question we get asked, and we think it is deserving of a thoughtful response, which we’ll provide here.

What to Expect with Breast Augmentation

Does breast augmentation surgery hurt? It does not. Surgery is performed with general anesthesia. This type of anesthesia interrupts the signals that the body sends to the brain. Pain receptors shut down and do not register the sensations of surgery. General anesthesia has been used around the world and is the safe and effective norm for even the most complex surgeries. Its use in breast augmentation assures complete comfort throughout the procedure.

What About Post-Operative Pain?

Does breast augmentation hurt? To some degree, yes. After surgery, once the effects of anesthesia have worn off, patients can expect some discomfort. Most don’t say they are in pain. What we hear most often is feeling pressure on the chest. Soreness and tenderness are also normal effects of breast augmentation, as they are with any surgery. These side effects are managed at first with prescription painkillers. Typically, patients can switch to over-the-counter medication in about a week, if not sooner.

Something to keep in mind about pain is that it is a necessary part of the healing process. While we don’t want patients incapacitated by post-operative discomfort, it might help to know that the soreness and tenderness that occur are signaling the brain to instigate healing. When the brain registers pain, it signals the pituitary gland to produce endorphins. These are the body’s natural painkillers. Where there is pain, there is also often inflammation. Where there is inflammation, the body wants to send collagen as a form of repair. The collagen that gets sent to the surgical site helps rebuild connective tissue and also works to begin healing the scar tissue that forms over incisions.

Breast augmentation is one of the most frequently performed plastic surgery procedures for a reason. To learn more about how this procedure can be tailored to meet your needs, contact our Reno office at (775) 826-4477 and schedule a consultation with Dr. Dahan.