Cosmetic surgery is very common today. According to Forbes, nearly 11.36 million plastic surgery procedures were performed in 2019 alone. Breast enhancement is one of the more well-known procedures, and many women have surgery to enhance the size and shape of their breasts.
There’s no need to remain in the hospital for days after the surgery, and most women go home the same day to recover in comfort. The best way to avoid complications during the recovery is by following your surgeon’s post-surgery tips to the letter. If you don’t know much about the recovery process and want to prepare ahead of time, read on. Below is a list of post-surgery tips your breast augmentation surgeon may recommend.
1. Schedule Time off Work
Rest is essential if you want to heal properly after breast enhancement surgery, so you may need to take up to a week off work to recover. If your job requires heavy lifting or you’re on your feet all day, it may be best to take two weeks off. If you sit at a desk all day, you should be able to return to work after one week or so. It’s essential to plan time off before the surgery, so you can be sure you’ll have enough time to recover.
2. Avoid Strenuous Activity
Surgeons typically recommend avoiding heavy lifting for at least two weeks after the surgery, and it’s wise to avoid working out for at least 12 weeks. Even with these movement restrictions, it’s unwise to spend all day in bed because walking and moving around are necessary for proper healing. You can perform light household duties and take short walks, but avoiding any activities that could irritate your surgical site is for the best.
3. Avoid Repetitive Upper Body Movements
Moving around is essential for preventing stiffness, but repetitive upper body moments should be avoided as they can tear the stitches and re-open the surgical wounds. If this happens, you may need to undergo another surgical procedure, which will extend your recovery time significantly. Your breast augmentation surgeon can give you safe stretching exercises that prevent stiffness and won’t impede the healing process.
4. Caring for the Surgical Wound
It’s essential to avoid touching the wound with unwashed hands because it can lead to a serious infection. You should also keep the wound dry for at least a day or two, per your surgeon’s instructions. You can take a bath during this time, but only in waist-deep water to ensure the wound stays as dry as possible.
A nurse should teach you how to clean the wound before you leave the surgical center, and it’s essential to use the correct technique and clean the wound as often as directed. Following the instructions to the letter will prevent infection.
5. Choosing the Right Bra
Wearing a bra after breast augmentation surgery can help you heal more comfortably if you choose the right type of bra. For the first week, wearing a soft bra without an underwire is best. You can start wearing a more supportive bra during the second week as long as it doesn’t have an underwire. Additionally, wearing a soft bra to bed for at least six weeks may increase your comfort and support the healing process as it should reduce movement during sleep.
6. Take Your Medications as Directed
Your surgeon will send you home with a prescription for antibiotics and a pain reliever, and it’s essential to take them as directed. Antibiotics are crucial in preventing infection, so you shouldn’t miss a dose. The pain reliever should be taken regularly, even if you aren’t in pain yet. Taking the pills before the pain starts will help break the pain cycle, and following the surgeon’s instructions is essential.
7. Don't Smoke
One of the worst things you can do during your recovery is smoke tobacco. Nicotine is a potent vasoconstrictor that narrows the opening of blood vessels, impairing blood circulation. If you smoke while healing from breast augmentation surgery, the blood flow to your breasts will be limited, and the healing process will take much longer. It’s best to stop smoking at least six weeks before the surgery to ensure your lungs are in good shape. You should also avoid smoking for six weeks after the surgery to allow proper healing.
8. Report Abnormalities
After the procedure, pain, swelling, redness, and bruising are common and will subside with time. Some issues aren’t considered normal, and if you experience any of the following problems after breast augmentation surgery, you should call your surgeon immediately.
- Bleeding
- Loss of sensation
- Pus drainage
- Breast asymmetry
- Severe pain
Recovering from surgery takes time, and if you follow the tips listed above after your breast enhancement surgery, you should heal quickly without any complications. To learn more about the post-procedure healing process, contact your breast augmentation surgeon. If you’re interested in getting cosmetic surgery and haven’t begun the process, reach out to Mark Crispin, MD – Crispin Plastic Surgery by completing our online form today.