How to Recover from Breast Augmentation Surgery

Breast augmentation is one of the most frequently performed cosmetic procedures. Because of its popularity, the procedure is constantly being refined with innovative technology in order to provide patients with the best results possible. However, one of the best ways to get the best results from your breast augmentation surgery is to make sure you recover properly.

Prior to Breast Augmentation Surgery

If you take any regular medication or dietary supplements be sure to discuss these with your surgeon as so that prior to your procedure, you can discontinue using anything that may cause side effects or complications during surgery or recovery.

Make sure your home is prepared ahead of time for your recovery. Set aside an area for you to rest and be sure you have plenty of comfortable, loose-fitting clothes, soft pillows and ice packs so you will be comfortable while you recover. Because you will be out of commission for quite some time, don’t forget to be sure that your refrigerator and pantry are well-stocked.

Best Practices for Short-Term Recovery

Initial healing can take the average patient anywhere from 3 days to 2 weeks before resuming any physical activities. After this period, patients can resume more strenuous physical activities depending on what kind of breast augmentation. Patients should be sure to account for this when planning time off for the procedure. It is also advisable to have somebody else on hand that can help you change your bandages and look after your kids or pets if need be during your down time.

Your inframammary incisions or incisions made at the base of the breast near the chest wall can take up to 4 weeks to heal. During this time period you should avoid any upper body exercise such as weightlifting or any activities that require you to lift your arms above your head. It is very important to keep the incision dry for one month, so that means no sweating. Not only will avoiding these activities speed up your healing process it will also produce more discreet scars in the long term.

As with all surgical procedures, there will be some soreness, swelling and pain following the surgery. Your pain can easily be managed with pain relieving medication, which will likely be prescribed by your surgeon. Be sure to discuss pain management with your surgeon prior to the procedure.

Best Practices for Long Term Maintenance

It is important for you to have proper support for your implants in order to maintain their size and shape. You will be given a surgical bra during your initial healing process, but it would you will require long-term support and comfort. It is equally important that the bra fits you properly and that it doesn’t have any parts that will irritate your incision sites.

You will also want to use cocoa butter or vitamin E on your surgical scars in order to reduce that their appearance. Regular massage can greatly improve the look and feel of your implants, especially one month after the surgery. Daily massage helps stimulate your circulation through the surgical area and improvising blood flow will provide the nourishment it needs to heal faster.

Other Things You Should Know

Following breast augmentation surgery, a capsule of scar tissue forms around your breast implants. By implementing a regular massage regimen into your daily routine you can shape this capsule so it does not interfere with the overall aesthetic of your breasts.

Smokers should be advised that nicotine can greatly increase the time it takes you to recover from your breast implant surgery. Nicotine shrinks your red blood cells and decreases the oxygen in your blood, which is needed in order for you to heal properly. In addition, it depletes your white blood cells, leaving you vulnerable to infection.

Be sure to follow these steps along with any advice from your doctor in order to ensure optimum results after your surgery. If you have further questions and concerns about recovering from breast augmentation, feel free to reach out to any member of our expert staff.

Contact us today to schedule an appointment or find out more about breast augmentation and breast augmentation recovery.