Breast augmentation can be a life-changing procedure that affirms your self-confidence and helps you attain a healthier body image. After your procedure, board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Hayley Brown will give you specific instructions to help you manage your recovery. How precisely you follow her directions could impact your ultimate results.
As a female plastic surgeon, Dr. Brown truly grasps the unique issues and concerns of the women who come into her Las Vegas office. She strives to form meaningful relationships with her patients to help them achieve their desired results. She also wants to arm her patients with the knowledge they need to get the most out of their breast augmentation. With that in mind, here are some “dos” and “don’ts” for the aftermath of your surgery.
What To Do After Breast Augmentation
If you carefully follow Dr. Brown’s instructions, you increase your chances of optimizing your breast augmentation results. These tips can help you get the most out of your surgery:
Get Plenty of Rest
Your body needs time to recover after breast augmentation. Plan to take one to two weeks off of work as you begin the healing process. Avoid heavy lifting, exercise, or upper body activity for at least three to four weeks.
Medication Management
Take your pain medication as prescribed by Dr. Brown: Dr. Brown will prescribe oral pain medication and muscle relaxers to help you manage your discomfort after surgery. Take them as prescribed, and any pain or discomfort should dissipate in the weeks after your procedure.
Eat Healthily
Your diet can have a significant impact on how your body recovers. High-protein foods such as lean poultry and fish are hugely beneficial. So are fresh fruits and vegetables, which are packed with vitamins C and D and help your body get the collagen it needs to boost the healing process. Calcium-rich foods such as yogurt, milk, spinach, and kale will also help strengthen your body as it recovers.
Supportive Bras
Wear your support bra until Dr. Brown clears you to take it off. After surgery, Dr. Brown will fit you with a support bra that you should wear day and night for six to eight weeks. It’s critical to keep your breasts supported throughout your recovery as your implants settle. Failure to wear this garment could cause your breasts to sag and your implants to come to rest out of position.
Attend Follow-Up Appointments
Regular follow-up appointments with Dr. Brown are crucial. These appointments allow her to monitor your progress, address any concerns, and make adjustments if necessary.
Wound Care
Keep the surgical incisions clean and dry. Follow Dr. Brown’s instructions for proper wound care to minimize the risk of infection and promote optimal healing.
Minimize Movement
Be mindful of your arm movements, especially during the early stages of recovery. Dr. Brown may advise restrictions on certain activities to avoid putting unnecessary strain on the healing tissues.
Ice Packs For Swelling
Swelling and bruising are common after surgery. Applying ice packs, as recommended by your surgeon, can help alleviate these symptoms. Follow the prescribed schedule to manage swelling effectively.
Healthy Lifestyle Choices
Avoid smoking and limit alcohol consumption, as these habits can hinder the healing process. Embrace a healthy lifestyle with a balanced diet and adequate hydration to support overall well-being.
Patience and Self-Care
Recovery is a gradual process, and patience is key. Practice self-care, listen to your body, and prioritize your well-being. Adequate sleep and stress management contribute positively to the recovery journey.
What Not To Do After Breast Augmentation
These practices could harm your results. Here’s why you should avoid them:
Swimming
Dipping into a lake or ocean could introduce unwanted bacteria to your still-healing incisions. Even in a chlorinated pool that doesn’t have bacteria, you don’t want to inundate your incisions with water before they’re fully healed.
Smoking or Other Tobacco Use
Tobacco is harmful to you in general, but it can have even more unfavorable effects when you’re recovering from surgery. Smoke and tobacco delay your body’s natural healing processes. If you are a smoker, you should quit before your surgery and throughout your recovery period.
Lift Heavy Objects
Lifting heavy objects, even your children, in the three to four weeks after your surgery could negatively impact your recovery because of the strain it causes on your implants and incisions. Therefore, if your job requires heavy lifting, you should plan to take off more than the recommended one to two weeks following your surgery.
Engage in Strenuous Exercise
As with the practical lifting of heavy objects, vigorous exercise can also be detrimental to your healing process. Light activity, such as walking around your neighborhood, is beneficial. However, jogging, running, weightlifting, and other high-intensity actions could affect how your implants settle and impact your incisions.
Avoid Sun Exposure
Exposure to direct sunlight can potentially cause discoloration or hyperpigmentation of the incision sites. Patients are often advised to keep their scars covered or use sunblock when exposing them to sunlight.
Avoid Underwire Bras
Patients are usually advised to avoid underwire bras during the early stages of recovery. These bras may cause irritation or pressure on the incision sites and implant areas.
Sleeping Position
It’s common for surgeons to recommend sleeping on your back for the first few weeks after breast augmentation. This position minimizes pressure on the chest area and provides optimal support for the healing process.
Don’t Buy New Bras Immediately
The immediate postoperative period involves swelling and healing, which can affect the size and shape of the breasts. Investing in an entirely new wardrobe during this phase can lead to purchasing items that don’t fit well once the swelling subsides. Waiting a few weeks or even months allows your body to settle into its new form.
When Can I Have Sex Again?
This is a question often asked, and everyone’s surgery is different, so it’s important to follow Dr. Brown’s post-surgery instructions. She will have the best guidance on your case. Factors that are considered are the implants used, what procedure is done, and your overall health.
Contact Our Las Vegas Plastic Surgeon Today
Dr. Brown is an experienced, skilled surgeon who brings compassion and dedication to every interaction with her patients. During your breast augmentation consultation, she’ll listen to your goals and devise a treatment plan to help you achieve a body you can be proud of.
Dr. Brown serves Las Vegas, Henderson, and surrounding areas of Nevada. Call Desert Hills Plastic Surgery Center at 702-260-7707 today to schedule a consultation.
