Breast augmentation is a popular choice of cosmetic surgery among women all over the world. If you are not satisfied with the size of your breasts, a breast augmentation can make them fuller and bigger. If, like many other residents of Saratoga Springs, New York, you too have decided to undergo breast augmentation, we at Ridha Plastic Surgery and Medspa strongly believe that you should know exactly what you are getting into and how you need to take care of yourself.
On that note, here is a comprehensive guide on breast augmentation recovery, including everything from recovery time to what helps and what to avoid.
What Helps
After your breast augmentation surgery, your doctor will wrap your breasts in gauze dressings, and you will have to wear a support bra or an elastic bandage. This is to make sure that your breasts receive the support they need during their recovery period. Also, it helps in minimizing swelling.
Usually, you will be discharged after an hour or so after your surgery. Your doctor will provide you with instructions to follow that will aid you in your healing. Dr. Jeffrey Ridha makes sure that each of his patients clearly understands the detailed instructions he provides, and always sets clear dates for follow-up appointments. Make sure you follow these instructions, like taking your pills and other medication on time, and do not miss any appointment under any circumstance.
It is normal to experience pain and discomfort for the first few days, but it typically goes after five days or so. However, swelling and soreness may remain for the first few weeks after surgery. Rest and regular medication are extremely important to help with these.
Make sure to sleep on your back during your recovery period, and keep your support bra or elastic bandage on. This helps to keep your breast implants in place until it can heal properly.
What to Avoid
Recovery for breast augmentation often requires downtime for patients. Ensure that you do not engage in heavy physical activity for around 3 to 7 days after the breast augmentation surgery. Generally, the duration of your down time as well the duration for a full recovery are heavily dictated by the where your doctor has made an incision, the size of the breast implant and where it is placed.
Make sure to avoid smoking or tobacco in all forms. Apart from being detrimental to your health, it greatly slows down your ability to recover like you are supposed to. This is because nicotine makes your blood vessels smaller, leading to lower levels of oxygen in the blood and negatively affects the functioning of red blood cells. In order for any kind of wound to heal, division and growth of cells is required, but this process is delayed if there is lack of oxygen in the blood.
So, if you smoke regularly, stop smoking for at least about 3 months before your breast augmentation surgery, and abstain from it during your recovery period as well.