Breast Augmentation: 5 Tips for Expediting Your Recovery

About 300,000 people undergo breast augmentation every year to enhance their proportions and boost their confidence. If you’re thinking about increasing your cup size or are already scheduled for the procedure, we here at Dr. Brandon Plastic Surgery want you to recover quickly and experience minimal discomfort and complications. 

We have lots of experience with breast augmentation patients; here are five of our top tips to help you expedite recovery from your surgery. 

1. Follow our post-operative instructions

The most important step in ensuring a smooth recovery is to follow our post-operative instructions meticulously. We send you home with tasks customized to your specific needs and the specifics of your surgery.

Usually, the instructions include:

• Taking prescribed medications as directed for pain management and infection prevention
• Wearing a supportive surgical bra 24/7 for the first few weeks
• Avoiding certain activities that could strain your chest muscles, such as lifting anything heavier than five pounds and raising your arms overhead
• Attending follow-up appointments to monitor your healing progress
• Staying out of tubs and pools for four to six weeks

These simple post-operative instructions help you heal properly and avoid complications.

2. Rest 

It’s so important for you to rest during the initial days and weeks following your surgery. Avoid any strenuous activities, heavy lifting, or vigorous exercise. You need to give your body the time it needs to heal. 

You may feel weak, especially in the first few days as you recover from the effects of anesthesia. Even if you’re accustomed to being active, listen to your body and allow it to rest.

This doesn’t mean you should remain entirely sedentary, however. Take short walks to promote circulation and prevent blood clots.

3. Stay hydrated and focus on good nutrition

Proper nutrition and hydration play a big role in your recovery process. Drink plenty of water to stay hydrated and eat a balanced diet rich in vitamins and minerals. Focus on foods that promote healing, such as fresh vegetables and fruits, lean proteins, and whole grains. Eat plenty of fiber or take a fiber supplement to avoid constipation.

Avoid alcohol and smoking, as they can interfere with the healing process and increase your risk of complications.

4. Manage pain and swelling

You just had major surgery; it’s normal to experience some pain and swelling. We send you home with a prescription for pain medication to help manage discomfort. Take this and any other medications as directed.

Reduce swelling in the surgical area by applying cold compresses. Use these cold packs for 20 minutes at a time. Don’t use heat packs, as they can increase swelling and slow down the healing process. Always keep your head elevated while resting to minimize swelling.

5. Resume physical activities gradually

You may be eager to return to your regular routine, especially as you start to feel better. We’ll instruct you to reintroduce physical activities gradually, though. 

Start with light activities and slowly increase the intensity based on your comfort level and our recommendations. Avoid high-impact exercises and activities that involve heavy lifting until you receive clearance from Dr. Brandon.

You’ll need to muster up patience as you recover from breast augmentation surgery. Your commitment to rest and managing the surgical site will speed up the healing process so you can get back to normal more quickly and enjoy your new look. 

Find out more about breast augmentation surgery and how it can enhance your appearance. Call Dr. Brandon Plastic Surgery, or use this website to set up your consultation today.