Your breast augmentation journey doesn’t end after your surgery. A well-managed recovery is just as important as pre-surgery preparations because it can improve your healing time and reduce the probability of complications. A successful breast augmentation recovery is the key to achieving great results. If you want to ensure your experience is a positive and healthy one, then it’s important that you prepare well ahead of time. To help you prepare for your recovery, let’s go over a few things you can expect after your surgery.
Your Healing Timeline
Your recovery will depend on factors such as the size of your implants and whether the implants are placed over the muscle or under. Most patients return to work or school one week after surgery. It is also recommended that patients avoid strenuous activity for two weeks. This does not mean that you should spend the entirety of your recovery in bed; moderate physical activity encourages circulation and prepares you to return to your normal activities.
Pain and Discomfort
It is normal to experience pain within the first few days of your recovery, and you will be prescribed medication to manage this. Most patients switch to over-the-counter pain relievers to help them with the rest of the recovery. However, patients should avoid pain relievers such as Aspirin as they can increase the risk of bleeding.
Delayed Bra Shopping
While you might be eager to try on new bras right after your breast surgery, it’s recommended that you wait until you’re fully healed before going bra shopping. Breast implants often need to settle into a permanent position, and a bra can distort the implants’ shape and prevent them from settling correctly.
We advise waiting four weeks before bra shopping. In the meantime, Dr. Pugash will provide a surgical garment for you to wear for the duration of your recovery.
No Exercise
Lifting heavy objects or exercise can put unnecessary pressure on your chest and strain your incisions, so it’s advised that you avoid strenuous activity for at least a couple of weeks after the surgery. For peace of mind, you may also want to complete your household chores before surgery. We recommend delaying upper body fitness activities for six weeks after surgery.
If the thought of being sedentary is unappealing, you can perform low-impact activities such as walking to help with circulation and movement.
No Smoking
Smoking during your recovery can greatly increase the risk of complications. Nicotine in your system can compromise the blood supply to your tissues which can delay healing, increase the risk of tissue necrosis, and cause scarring. If you do smoke, it’s recommended that you abstain for at least two weeks before and after surgery.
Your recovery may take some time; nevertheless, you can achieve a stress-free recovery with the guidance of a caring and focused surgeon such as Dr. Pugash. To learn more about breast augmentation recovery from an experienced surgeon, contact the offices of Dr. Eric Pugash now, for a consultation on breast augmentation.