It’s not uncommon for women to notice some weight gain after getting breast augmentation surgery. While the breast implants themselves typically only add about 1 pound per breast, other factors can cause additional weight gain of 5-10 pounds or more in the months following the procedure.
Swelling and fluid retention
After breast augmentation surgery, the breast area often swells significantly from inflammation and fluid buildup. This swelling peaks at around 2-3 weeks post-op and can make the breasts appear much larger than their final result. It typically takes 3-6 months for this swelling to completely subside.
This swelling is accompanied by fluid retention, which shows up as increased weight on the scale. The combination of surgical inflammation and fluid retention can account for 2-5 pounds of weight gain in the first few weeks after surgery.
Decreased activity after surgery
It’s important to avoid strenuous exercise and lift nothing heavier than 5-10 pounds for 4-6 weeks after breast augmentation to allow your incisions to heal. This decrease in activity can result in some weight gain if you’re not careful with your diet.
Here’s a table showing approximate calorie burn for a 130 pound woman doing various exercises:
| Exercise | Calories burned (30 minutes) |
|---|---|
| Walking (2.5 mph) | 85 |
| Light yoga | 90 |
| Jogging (5 mph) | 295 |
As you can see, high intensity exercise like jogging burns significantly more calories than gentle activity like walking. Without that calorie burn from regular workouts, weight can creep up if you don’t adjust your diet.
Medications that increase appetite
Pain medication and antibiotics prescribed after breast augmentation surgery may have side effects like increased appetite, water retention, and constipation. These factors can result in extra weight gain of 2-3 pounds in the recovery period.
Additionally, anti-nausea medication given during and after surgery to prevent vomiting can also increase appetite as a side effect. This may lead some women to eat more than usual while recovering.
Eating for comfort
It’s common to crave comfort foods and extra calories while recovering from surgery. Factors like pain, boredom from being less active, and postoperative depression can all contribute to overeating behaviors.
If the prescription pain medication causes nausea, women may also eat bland simple carbohydrates like crackers, pasta, and toast to settle their stomach. These types of foods can quickly add extra pounds.
Starting at a higher pre-surgery weight
Women who undergo breast augmentation surgery at a higher baseline weight are more likely to experience postoperative weight gain than those starting at a lower body weight.
For example, a 120 pound woman gaining 3-5 pounds after surgery may be less noticeable than a 180 pound woman also gaining 3-5 pounds.
Higher pre-surgery weight is associated with factors like increased swelling, reduced postsurgical activity, and a slower recovery, which influence weight gain.
Going up several bra cup sizes
The larger the breast implants, the more swelling, inflammation, and fluid retention will occur after surgery.
Women who have a major increase in cup size, for example going from an A cup to a D cup, may notice more swelling-related weight gain than someone going from a B cup to a C cup.
Here’s a table showing approximate weight ranges for different implant sizes:
| Implant Volume | Likely Cup Increase | Approximate Weight Gain |
|---|---|---|
| 300-350cc | 1-2 cup sizes | 3-5 lbs |
| 400-450cc | 2-3 cup sizes | 5-8 lbs |
| 500cc+ | 3+ cup sizes | 8-10+ lbs |
Is the weight gain permanent?
For most women, the weight gain after breast augmentation is temporary swelling and fluid retention that will resolve over the 3-6 month recovery period.
Factors like reduced activity, medication side effects, and increased food intake may contribute more lasting weight gain after surgery. But following a healthy diet and easing back into your normal exercise routine can help return you to your pre-augmentation weight.
Talk to your plastic surgeon about what to expect regarding swelling and weight fluctuation after your breast implant procedure.
Tips to prevent excess weight gain
Here are some tips to help prevent significant weight gain after breast augmentation:
Follow postoperative instructions
Stick to your surgeon’s guidelines for rest and recovery. This will help reduce swelling and support proper healing.
Watch your calorie intake
If you can’t exercise much, be careful not to overeat. Follow a nutritious diet to aid healing without gaining weight.
Stay hydrated
Drink lots of water post-surgery to help reduce fluid retention and swelling.
Walk regularly
Light walking can help burn calories, reduce swelling, and improve circulation.
Choose nutritious snacks
Avoid comfort foods and salty snacks. Snack on fresh fruits, vegetables, nuts, yogurt and other nourishing foods.
Weigh yourself weekly
Monitor your weight so you can adjust your diet and activity if you notice unwanted gains.
Be patient
Give your body the 3-6 months it needs to fully recover before worrying about losing weight.
When to call your surgeon
While some weight gain is normal after breast augmentation, notify your plastic surgeon right away if you experience:
- Rapid weight gain of more than 5 pounds in a week
- Extreme pain, redness, or swelling in the breasts
- Fever over 100.4°F
- Yellowing skin or eyes
- Shortness of breath or chest pain
These could indicate complications like an infection or blood clot requiring prompt medical care.
Conclusion
Mild weight gain in the weeks after breast augmentation is common and usually nothing to worry about. Stay on top of your diet, rest and recover as directed, and be patient as the swelling resolves and you can return to normal activity. Work closely with your plastic surgeon and follow all postoperative directions to help ensure the best results from your procedure.