Breast refilling refers to the process of injecting filler into the breast to increase volume and fullness. Many women choose to get breast refilling to enhance the shape and size of their breasts without undergoing a major surgery like breast augmentation. If you’re considering breast refilling, it’s normal to wonder what the procedure feels like. Here’s an overview of the breast refilling experience.
During the Procedure
Breast refilling is a non-surgical procedure performed in an office setting. It typically involves the following steps:
- Your breasts are cleansed and a topical numbing cream is applied to minimize discomfort.
- The doctor injects a filler material, usually hyaluronic acid, into the breast tissue using a thin needle.
- Multiple injection sites are used to evenly distribute the filler and achieve a natural look.
- The doctor carefully massages the area to shape the breasts and ensure even distribution of the filler.
Most patients report that breast refilling is not overly uncomfortable. The numbing cream helps reduce pain from the injections. There may be some mild stinging, pinching or pressure felt during the injections. Any discomfort typically goes away quickly once the needle is removed.
Immediately After the Procedure
Here’s what you can expect in the hours immediately following your breast refilling treatment:
- Mild tenderness and swelling – Your breasts may feel tender, swollen and bruised from the injections. This tends to resolve within a few days.
- Temporary changes in breast shape – It can take 2-3 days for the filler material to fully settle, so your breasts may look slightly uneven at first.
- Numbness – Numbing cream combined with tissue inflammation can make your breasts feel numb for several hours after the procedure.
- Coldness – Some women report that their breasts feel cool or cold to the touch for the first day or so after refilling.
While uncomfortable side effects are usually mild and temporary, let your doctor know if you have severe pain, swelling, bleeding or other concerns.
Results Over the First Week
In the first week after getting breast refilling, you’ll start to see the final results take shape:
- Swelling and tenderness continue to decrease.
- Your breasts start to feel more natural as the filler material integrates into the tissue.
- Temporary numbness and coldness dissipate within a few days.
- Any minor bruises fade away within about a week.
- Your breasts look fuller and more voluminous as the filler takes effect.
Most patients are able to resume their normal routine within 2-3 days, though strenuous exercise and activities may be restricted for about a week to allow healing.
Long-Term Results
The benefits of breast refilling become most apparent after about 2-3 weeks. Here’s what to expect long-term:
- Breasts feel soft, smooth and completely natural – no foreign or artificial sensation.
- Volume enhancement remains, though a touch up may be needed after 1-2 years as some filler is absorbed.
- No major changes to the feel or sensitivity of your breasts.
- Skin has a tighter, smoother appearance with enhanced cleavage.
- Breast shape is improved with a subtle lift.
- No visible signs – the injections leave no scarring or other external indications of filler.
The duration of results depends on the type of filler used. Hyaluronic acid fillers tend to last 1-2 years. Results from fat grafting and silicone injections are more permanent, typically over 5 years.
Conclusion
While every woman’s experience is different, most report that breast refilling is relatively comfortable and provides natural-looking results. Mild tenderness or numbness is common immediately after the injections, but usually resolves within a few days. Over the next few weeks, subtle lifting and enhancement of the breasts becomes apparent as swelling goes down and the filler integrates. When performed by an experienced cosmetic doctor, breast refilling is a relatively painless way to improve breast size and shape.