When planning for the breast augmentation cosmetic procedure, it is always best to know what to expect during the recovery phase. This period is equally as important as the pre-surgical preparation, so you should not take it lightly. As a breast augmentation in Atlanta patient, you should always conduct a thorough research and consult with your plastic surgeon prior to the surgery to educate yourself, to know the expectations from the recovery and results.
When choosing to go under the knife for breast implants, a key concern for most women is the period of the breast augmentation recovery. After all, you want to resume your normal routine and life following the procedure. The entire experience of recovering from this procedure varies differently in pace, but there are some general stages you will encounter on the way. In terms of your body’s recovery response, the technique your surgeon uses, the implants they use, placement, size (whether below the muscle or above) can have an impact on the recovery stage.
As you heal, keep in mind that most women who look back upon the recovery period from the procedure say that the entire experience was one worth all the risk as the end results are exactly what they wanted. Read on below and you will get an understanding of the best practices you need to implement the recovery along with some tips on how to make the healing faster.
1. Secure a Ride Home
After the surgery, you need to ask someone to stay with you (at least during the first twenty hours). Since you will experience some pain and discomfort because of the incisions, a Crispin Plastic Surgery specialist always recommends that you as your friend or family for a ride home post operation. Before you leave the hospital for home, make sure you have a soft pillow or a blanket between your breasts. Also, make sure that your seatbelt is not too tight.
2. Follow Your Prescription
The American Society of Plastic Surgeons always recommends that patients follow the medications or prescription their surgeon hands over to them. The key to a speedy recovery is ensuring that you take the postoperative medications during the healing phase. Your prescribed medication could include painkillers and antibiotics to prevent the risks of infection.
3. Wear a Loose Support Garment
Around the clock, it is important that you wear a loose bra or an elastic band (or bandeau) as your doctor advice. The support garment helps to keep the breasts under a good grip. There are no strict rules on the duration you need the bra post operation but most women choose to wear it continually for a few weeks after the surgery. Doctors recommend that during this stage, you avoid underwire bras for at least four weeks.
4. Apply Ointments and Creams
One of the top breast augmentation considerations you have to reflect on before the surgery is that the procedure leads to redness, swelling and sometimes discoloration of the breasts because of the incisions. Some surgeons recommend their patients to clean the incision area and apply ointments, whereas others will ask you to bandage the area or tape it. You can also consider applying skin creams and lotions to tackle the discoloration, swelling, and tenderness.
5. Reduce Your Activity
Since it is possible that your incisions bleed into pockets around the incisions and breast implants for the first few days, you need to take it easy and avoid increasing your activity levels. Wait until your doctor advises you to carry on with your activities or for the time when the pain subsides. Note that acute pain can take about one to five days to subside, but you will still experience swelling and soreness for a few weeks.
6. No Stomach Sleeping
After your operation, sleep on your back or sides and avoid sleeping on your stomach. Although it is unlikely that you do this due to the pain you, experience in your chest if you do it can displace the implants. Sleep in areas or places most comfortable for you, have a soft bed and sit on a reclining chair, soft sofa or couch with cushions.
7. Stick to a Healthy and Light Diet
It is important that during the healing period you stick to a healthy diet and drink lots of water. Some pain medications can cause nausea and you may become dehydrated. Drinking lots of water will keep the incisions healthy and your skin ready for recovery. Maintaining a healthy diet is also vital. You need to eat fruits, vegetables and stay away from foods that could hinder the recovery.
By fixing an appointment with a board-certified breast augmentation expert in your area, you can take your time and discuss all your post (or pre) augmentation options. Equip yourself with knowledge of the treatment options and plan your surgery accordingly.
