Dr. Sarbak outlines the patient recovery timeline he recommends for his breast augmentation patients
Vero Beach, FL – Dr. John M. Sarbak, a board-certified plastic surgeon in Vero Beach, believes in educating patients prior to their breast augmentation surgery about the steps they can take to make a quick and healthy recovery. As with any surgical procedure, recovery from breast augmentation varies from patient to patient. Some common factors that affect recovery time include:
- The incision choice for placement of the implant.
- Whether the implant is located above or below the muscle.
- An individual’s tolerance for soreness
Although most patients return to their normal activities fairly quickly after any of the implant incision options, the quickest recovery is generally experienced with a single incision through the belly button (transumbilical breast augmentation), says Dr. Sarbak. He also notes that, in general, recovery from an implant that is placed above the muscle is easier than a procedure in which the implant is placed below the muscle; however, most women are having implants placed at least partially below the muscle because this placement allows for better mammogram results in the future.
After surgery, Dr. Sarbak says he generally instructs his patients to go home, rest for 2-3 hours, then eat a light meal and take 800 mg of Motrin. Later that same day, he says patients should shower, wash their hair, and leave the house for a couple of hours. The following day, Dr. Sarbak requests patients return to his office so he can check on their recovery progress.
While the need for supportive care is minimal after the first 24 hours, Dr. Sarbak believes it is important for patients to have a loved one available to provide assistance immediately following breast augmentation surgery: “Patients are unable to drive for at least 24 hours after the procedure (due to the anesthesia), so a loved one should accompany the patient when they leave the house the evening of the surgery. Any assistance with everyday household needs such as laundry and vacuuming are helpful, as it allows the patient extra time to rest and recover.”
Most of Dr. Sarbak’s Vero Beach plastic surgery patients are able to return to work within a couple days. Patients are permitted to return to their normal activities within 24 hours of the procedure, as long as those activities do not cause discomfort. Each individual will have their own level of tolerance, but Dr. Sarbak says he has had one patient go horseback riding the day after surgery and another patient who never missed a day without performing 400 sit-ups.
About John M. Sarbak, MD, PA
Dr. John Sarbak is a graduate of the University of Notre Dame. He earned his medical degree at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine and is a board-certified plastic surgeon. In addition to his affiliations with Indian River Surgery Center and Indian River Memorial Hospital, Dr. Sarbak has been recently named Medical Director of the White Orchid Spa. He travels annually to South America donating his time to help Peruvian children with congenital deformities of the lip and palate.
Dr. Sarbak is available for interview upon request.