Breast augmentation, or implant surgery, is one of the most frequently performed cosmetic procedures. While the overall experience on the day of surgery involves several hours of preparation and recovery, the actual time spent in the operating room is relatively brief. The surgical duration is not fixed, as it depends on the complexity of the specific case and the techniques used. Understanding the timeline of each phase can help patients plan for their surgical day.
The Core Operating Room Duration
The active surgical phase of a standard, primary breast augmentation is surprisingly quick, typically lasting between 60 and 90 minutes. This period represents the time from the moment the surgeon makes the initial incision to the final closure of the wounds.
The full time a patient spends inside the operating room is slightly longer, generally ranging from one to two hours. This extended period accounts for necessary steps surrounding the surgery, such as the induction of general anesthesia. Administering the anesthesia and ensuring the patient is safely asleep and monitored adds approximately 15 to 30 minutes before the surgeon begins the operation.
The goal during this time is to create the precise pocket for the implant, insert the device, and secure the incision. Surgeons often work efficiently and methodically to minimize the time the patient is under anesthesia, which helps to promote a smoother recovery. Once the incisions are closed and dressings are applied, the patient is prepared for transfer to the recovery area.
Variables That Affect Surgical Time
While a primary augmentation is generally fast, the procedure’s time can lengthen significantly based on the complexity of the patient’s needs. The most substantial variable is whether the procedure is a simple augmentation or a combination surgery, such as augmentation performed with a mastopexy (breast lift). Combining a lift with implant placement requires more extensive tissue manipulation and incision work, often extending the total operating time to two or three hours or longer.
The location chosen for the implant pocket also influences the duration, specifically whether the implant is placed above the chest muscle (subglandular) or below the chest muscle (submuscular). Submuscular placement involves more dissection to separate the muscle tissue and create the necessary space, which can add time compared to the subglandular approach. The type of implant and the incision site, such as the inframammary fold or around the areola, can also affect surgical speed.
Incision and Revision Factors
For example, using a transaxillary (armpit) incision requires a longer, tunneled approach to place the implant in the breast pocket, which may take slightly more time than the direct access of an inframammary incision. If the surgery is a revision, where existing implants are being removed and replaced, the surgeon may need extra time to address scar tissue or capsular contracture.
Total Time Commitment on the Day of Surgery
The patient’s total time commitment at the surgical facility extends well beyond the core operating room duration, typically spanning four to six hours. This timeline begins with the pre-operative preparation phase, which commonly takes between one and two hours. During this time, the patient completes check-in paperwork, changes into a gown, and meets with the surgical team, including the anesthesiologist and the circulating nurse.
The surgeon will also use this pre-procedure time to make precise markings on the patient’s chest to guide the incisions and implant placement. After the surgery is complete, the patient is immediately transferred to the Post-Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU) for the recovery phase. This monitoring period typically lasts another one to two hours.
In the PACU, nurses closely monitor the patient’s vital signs as they wake up from the general anesthesia. Once the patient is awake, stable, and has received discharge instructions and pain medication, they are allowed to leave the facility. Since breast augmentation is generally performed as an outpatient procedure, the patient is discharged home the same day.