Recovering from breast augmentation surgery can be made more comfortable with the right preparation. While most women start to feel more like themselves after the first-week post-surgery, the official recovery timeline is six weeks. Following the advice of your cosmetic surgeon can help to speed up your healing. Try these breast augmentation recovery tips to make your post-operative period more comfortable.
Breast Augmentation Recovery Tips For A Speedier Recovery
Get Some Help Around The House
The key to a successful recovery is getting enough rest and getting enough rest after your breast augmentation surgery is essential. Make sure you have done your grocery shopping before your surgery and your house is stocked up with nutritious food and ideally, ready-made meals. While you do need to eat nutritious meals and drink plenty of water, you also need to rest and sleep so if you can package any of your meals ahead of time, it’s a good idea to do it.
You will be told to avoid driving and heavy lifting for at least six weeks, so you may need to range for someone to help you around the house for the initial recovery period.
Get Lots Of Sleep
Sleep is the best medicine so get as much of it as you can in the days following your surgery. You will have to sleep on your back or your side while you recover. It’s also a good idea to keep your body as elevated as possible so stack a few pillows up to lean on while you heal.
Take Your Medication As Directed
The first three days after breast augmentation surgery are usually the most uncomfortable and any pain or discomfort you feel should start to improve after this.
Make sure you take the pain medication that has been prescribed to help you with pain, swelling, and nausea.
Many women find they can switch to over-the-counter pain medication after the first few days but taking the prescribed medication on schedule can make the first few days much more tolerable.
Be Patient
While the worst of the swelling should improve in the first week, you may have some swelling present for months after your breast augmentation surgery. It could take a couple of months before your breasts’ final size, shape and position are evident. One of our biggest tips is to be patient and have faith in your body and the work of your surgeon.
Take A Break From Exercise
Most women can resume light physical exercise two to three weeks after breast augmentation surgery, but make sure you get the go-ahead from your cosmetic surgeon first. Initially, you won’t be able to do heavy lifting or vigorous cardio but you will be able to increase your exertion level as the weeks’ progress. One of our biggest tips is to relax and take the time to recover. Soon you will be able to get back to exercise and fitness.
Practice Wound Care
After your breast augmentation surgery, you will have surgical wounds to care for. Make sure you follow the advice of your cosmetic surgeon to avoid infection and encourage good healing. Wound dressings are usually kept on for the first week, whereafter you will visit your cosmetic surgeon to have them removed. At this appointment, you will be given instructions on how to care for your wounds.
Make Sure You Have The Right Support
Recovery bras offer you the best level of support when recovering from breast augmentation surgery so wear them all the time. Do not wear underwire bras for at least 12 weeks after your surgery. Wearing a recovery bra helps to reduce swelling and boost recovery. They improve circulation, make breast implants more stable, and provide mild compression to facilitate better lymph drainage
One of our best breast augmentation recovery tips is to consider investing in button-down shirts, which are more comfortable as you don’t have to pull them over your head to wear them.
Contact Your cosmetic Surgeon Immediately If You Have Concerns
Being informed is an important part of your recovery. You need to understand which warning signs to watch out for so you know when to contact your surgeon. Any sign of infection or bleeding under the skin should be reported to your surgeon immediately. If you develop a fever or nausea, you should also notify your surgeon as soon as possible.
Eat Nutritious Food And Stay Hydrated
While you probably won’t have much of an appetite on the day of your surgery, it’s important to eat nutritious food to fuel your recovery. Make sure you eat small, frequent meals that are nutrient-dense to support your recovery. This is important when you are taking pain medication, as it shouldn’t be taken on an empty stomach.
Include fibre-rich foods in your diet, as constipation often follows surgical procedures. Avoid caffeine and alcohol, as these can contribute to swelling, but make sure you drink plenty of water.
Breast augmentation is a major surgical procedure but working with an experienced and well-qualified surgeon and doing the relevant preparation is key to a successful outcome. For more breast augmentation recovery tips please call us: (02) 8599 7161.
REFERENCES
Four tips for a healthy recovery after a breast augmentation
Breast augmentation recovery – what you need to know
https://www.plasticsurgery.org/news/blog/breast-augmentation-recovery-what-you-need-to-know
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