How to Improve Comfort after Breast Augmentation Surgery

Before you see the full effects of your breast augmentation, you must be aware of what to expect during recovery after your surgery. The experts of the San Antonio plastic surgery practice of Dr. Constance Barone offer this overview of what to expect during the breast augmentation recovery process.

Recovery after Breast Augmentation

Breast augmentation is a surgical procedure performed while the patient is under general anesthesia. Immediately following surgery, most patients will feel tired and groggy as they recover from the anesthesia. The first few days following breast augmentation surgery are generally the most uncomfortable, as your body is beginning the healing process. You will be prescribed pain medication to help reduce the pain you may be feeling.

Following surgery, you may experience bruising, swelling, and tenderness. For most patients, pain and swelling will subside within one to two weeks. You may need to take one to two weeks off from work following surgery, especially if strenuous activities are a part of your profession. Avoid bending over or reaching above your head while you recover so as not to irritate or reopen your incisions.

After about six weeks you should be able to resume all of your regular activities. Before you begin any strenuous activities, it is important to check with your plastic surgeon to make sure you're healed enough to do so.

Tips to Help Your Recovery

You can improve your chances of a successful and quicker recovery by following all of your surgeon's instructions. Here are some useful tips to help you recover from your breast augmentation procedure.

• Get Plenty of Rest: Rest is vital to the healing process so be sure to get plenty of rest following your breast augmentation procedure. You may need to take one to two weeks off from work to ensure your incisions properly heal.
• Avoid Strenuous Activity: Strenuous activity needs to be avoided for at least six weeks.
• Wear Compression Garments: Compression garments or a surgical bra should be worn during the healing process to give support to the tissues as they heal. Compression garments help hold the tissues in place and support the added weight of your new implants to help reduce swelling and tenderness.
• Quit Smoking: Like with any surgery, you should quit smoking at least two weeks prior to surgery and avoid smoking during the recovery process. Smoking inhibits the healing process and should be avoided to prevent complications.
• Slowly Ease Back into Your Daily Routine: You may be feeling back to normal within two weeks following surgery but it is important to slowly ease back into your daily routine.
• Tell Your Doctor at the First Sign of Complications: If your pain does not begin to reduce or gets worse, this could be a sign of infection or other complications. Tell your doctor immediately so any issues can be treated before they become major complications. Other signs to be aware of include redness and swelling.
• Follow Your Surgeons Instructions: Following all of your surgeon's instructions will help reduce the risk of complications and improve your recovery experience.

Schedule a Consultation

If you're in San Antonio considering breast augmentation, schedule a consultation with Dr. Barone to discuss your desired results.