Breast Augmentation Recovery
A Few Breast Augmentation Recovery Tips
Breast augmentation recovery is in many respects similar to recovery from other types of plastic surgery. One is going to have to deal with such things as pain, swelling, bruising, and scarring, together with protecting the area where the operation and incisions took place.
Insofar as breast augmentation recovery is concerned, the type of implants which are involved can have a significant effect on recovery time. Implants inserted under the muscle usually require a greater recovery time, and also tend to cause more pain, than implants inserted over the muscle. A certain amount of pain, or at least soreness, is generally to be expected however, but patients are usually prescribed pain medication, along with other medications, including antibiotics, to hasten the healing process.
Swelling And Drainage - Two of the first things to be dealt with, besides pain, in breast augmentation recovery, are swelling and drainage. Swelling is quite natural, but is usually managed quite well by applying ice or cold compresses to the breasts. A bag of frozen peas, wrapped in a towel, works particularly well, and can be used for a number of days, after which it probably should be discarded. As far as drainage is concerned, there will often be tubes exiting from the incisions to drain away excess fluid which accumulates within the breasts. If it were not for the drainage, the fluid could create a great deal of pressure, increasing the amount of swelling, bruising, and otherwise hindering the healing process. A patient's responsibility is to protect these drainage tubes, occasionally empty the bulbs they drain into, and monitor the amount of fluid that is being drained away. The drainage normally lasts only for a few days.
It's important not to put any unnecessary pressure on the breasts, not only to allow the incisions to heal, but to avoid unnecessary pain and discomfort. Patients are usually advised to take it easy for a few days, perhaps up to a week, or even longer. Most don't feel like doing much anyway. Once the icing and cold compress routines are out of the way, patients will benefit from warm baths. Very hot water should be avoided at first, as it will enhance swelling and possibly lead to increased bruising as well.
Getting Sleep - Sleeping can be a problem for some patients. Not because the patients don't feel sleepy, but because some normal sleep positions can be extremely uncomfortable. Someone who sleeps the night through on their back may not have much of a problem, but stomach sleepers and particularly those who toss and turn may have all sorts of problems getting a good night's sleep without suffering pain. Getting several wedge pillows to sleep between is a good idea, and if a person can go to sleep in a recliner chair, that's another possibility.
Scarring - Some patients worry about the effects of scarring. It's important to know, especially before the surgery even takes place, that there will be scarring and it will be permanent. If the surgeon knows his or her art well, or has a good "seamstress", any scarring should, once healed, be practically invisible. Just don't expect a scar to disappear completely. There are a number of topical cremes and lotions, particularly some that can be prescribed by a dermatologist, that are designed to both mask and heal the scars. While healing, any scars should be well protected from the sun. Smoking and intake of alcohol can also interfere with a scar's healing.
Summary - All of this information should of course be covered by the doctor or surgeon, both before and after surgery has taken place. It is common practice that those things a patient needs to be doing to help the recovery process along, are described in detail. What has been outlined here has been done for the purpose of giving anyone contemplating breast augmentation insight as to what the breast augmentation recovery process could involve.