Breast Implant Surgery - What to Expect After Breast Augmentation?

Breast Augmentation Recovery

Can larger and fuller breasts make you feel confident? For some people, the answer is a definite ‘yes’ while others may be confused about the notion of changing their original body attributes. It’s your body that you need to care about and not about the opinions of others. The best way to get the best outcomes from breast implant surgery is by focusing on the recovery process. You need to go through all essential precautions and necessary instruments for all stages of the surgery to get the best possible outcomes from the surgery.

In the following discussion, let us explore some of the basics about the breast implant surgery process followed by an illustration of the general expectations after the surgery and an outline of the different measures that should be followed for care during breast augmentation recovery.

What is Breast Augmentation?

Breast augmentation is an operative procedure that involves the use of fat transfer or breast implants to increase breast size. Reasons to surgery may include recovery of breast volume after pregnancy, weight reduction, or improvement of natural asymmetry in breast sizes as well as attaining a rounded breast shape. Breast augmentation can be carried out through fat transfer in which fat from one body part is used for improving the breast volume.  [1]

Why do You Need Breast Augmentation?

Breast enlargement without surgery occurs at the onset of early teenage years and continues till the late 20s due to hormonal changes. However, a breast implant surgery could be carried out at any age after age 22 which is generally the time when natural development of breasts starts to degrade.

Take your self-confidence and self-image to a whole new level with surgical initiatives for breast enlargement. Are you prepared enough for the complications that follow? This is where you need to go through the following information to understand the expectations at different stages following the surgery as well as the different factors that shall be kept in mind for post-operative care.

The Ideal Breast Augmentation Recovery Process

Are you worried about the complications of different breast augmentation types? Then it is time that you take a look at the basic milestones in your recovery process. This will not only help you understand your recovery process effectively but also help you in perceiving abnormalities that have to be communicated to the doctor. So, let’s start!

In the period following immediately after the surgery, 2 to 3 days after the surgery, you would most likely experience moderate levels of pain. Redness, swelling, tenderness, bruising and pain in the chest area as well as near the incision would be common in this stage.

A breast support bandage or surgical bra can be just the right option here to prevent exposure of the surgical wound as well as providing relief from discomfort. Remember that you cannot shower or take a bath for these two to three days as the wound may get infected by coming in contact with bacteria or other infectious agents.

One week after the surgery, you could be able to resume normal day-to-day activities. However, in this week patients cannot resort to movements which can strain their upper body such as lifting or bending. During this week, you  have to pay your first follow-up visit to the surgeon for the inspection of your breasts and the surgical incisions.

Two weeks following the surgery would be a suitable period for attaining complete normalcy without any difficulties in carrying out daily tasks. Even though patients may require a breast implant stabilizer band in this stage of the post-op recovery process, it is recommended to stay away from any sort of intensive exercises.

One month into the recovery process after the surgery. This is where you would be able to feel confident about the improvements in your body appearance. Some essential precautions should not be put on the backseat just because you have recovered well after the surgery. Take care of your sleeping positions and other precautions such as staying away from smoking and drinking.[2]

Six weeks following the surgery, you would be up and running with the recovery process completed. In the majority of cases, patients would be able to exercise normally without any restrictions as well as sleep in any comfortable position. The need for supporting equipment and other precautions would be turned to the minimum in this phase of the recovery process as the implants find their ‘right place’ and you could feel the results yourself!

There’s more to it

The journey mentioned above in the recovery process following a breast augmentation surgery seems comfortable, doesn’t it? However, many other aspects should not escape your priorities after the breast augmentation procedure. The areas which need to be focused importantly in the case of the recovery process after the surgery include medication, pain management and other factors related to lifestyle.

Appropriate Medications

The first complication that you may face after a breast augmentation surgery is nausea from the doses of general anaesthesia given for the surgery. Patients can feel ready to go home immediately after the surgery. However, once the anaesthesia wears off, the effects of vomiting and nausea could be observed clearly. Do not panic and trust on the doctor’s recommended anti-nausea medications according to prescription!

Pain is an unfriendly companion in your journey of recovering from a breast augmentation surgery. The pain sets in your body, especially around the surgical incision near the armpits or the chest. Irrespective of the breast augmentation surgery cost, your surgeon would be the best source to obtain medications for pain.

If you want the best outcomes from your breast implant surgery, then it is advisable to practice pain management such as the use of cold compresses with over-the-counter medications such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen. The doctor would also provide recommendations for medications to deal with muscle cramping and infection of the surgical wounds in the recovery process.

Muscle relaxants prescribed by the doctor should be used carefully along with the pain medications. Some of the other recommendations that are most likely to be suggested by your doctor include staying away from alcohol and smoking during the recovery process as well as refraining from intake of drugs or other products containing aspirin.

You should also be aware that the pain medications can take a toll on your digestive system when used for an extended period. Pain medications are known to increase constipation, and this implies the need for an over-the-counter medication for softening stool.[3]

Looking After Yourself

Other than the concerns of the best approach for the recovery process following a breast augmentation surgery and the possible medications that can be suggested by doctors for different complications after the surgery, it is also essential to focus on particular aspects of our self. Taking care of personal hygiene, engagement in activity and sleeping positions can play a huge role in supporting the recovery process.

Sleep Tight and Right!

While sleeping, you have to keep in mind that sideways and face down positions can lead to displacement of the implants. So, allow the implants to settle down and till then sleep with your back down for many weeks following the surgery. Consult with the surgeon about changing your sleeping position in your different follow-up visits.

Be Active

Activity is a must after the breast augmentation surgery, and basic movements such as walking around, sitting, and standing help prevent blood clots. These basic movements are all you get to have for a few weeks after the surgery. Do not attempt heavy lifting and opt for assistance with different works around the home!

A breast implant stabilizer strap would provide the necessary relief from discomfort alongside helping in the recovery process by aiding basic movements and exercises gradually. It can be a bit discomforting in the beginning, but it’s all worth it, isn’t it?

Hygiene - The ultimate virtue

Now, for the final touch, you should be looking after personal hygiene carefully for post-op care and the recovery process. You have to take care not to wet the bandages on the incision wound during cleaning yourself. Swimming pools, hot tubs, and baths are completely prohibited in this time, and it’s all for your good! You don’t want dangerous bacteria to make their way to the surgical wound and cause havoc later, do you?

Support bras and bandages could be your helpful companions in the recovery process without having to face the risks of infection. So, it can be noted that breast augmentation surgery is not enough to have your breasts improved. The recovery process and the measures for care followed by the patient after the surgery are the basis for appealing outcomes from the breast implant surgery. If beauty requires care then so be it!

References

1..https://westcountyplasticsurgeons.wustl.edu/resources/faqs/breast-augmentation/breast-augmentation-postop-care.html

2..https://www.westlakedermatology.com/blog/breast-augmentation-recovery/

3..https://www.plasticsurgery.org/cosmetic-procedures/breast-augmentation