When you go in for a breast augmentation, the success of your surgery in
almost entirely within the hands of your doctor. Afterwards, however,
it is up to you to make sure you have a safe and effective recovery,
giving you the final results you want and protecting your health in the
meantime. Here are some tips when it comes to controlling the pain and
swelling.
When you go in for a breast augmentation, the success of your surgery in
almost entirely within the hands of your doctor. Afterwards, however,
it is up to you to make sure you have a safe and effective recovery,
giving you the final results you want and protecting your health in the
meantime. Many women are somewhat alarmed when they see the amount of
swelling that follows the procedure, but it is a perfectly normal part
of the recovery process. There will be some mild pain and swelling is
part of the body’s response to any trauma. If you follow your doctor’s
instructions to the letter and avoid rushing your recovery, there’s no
reason why you won’t be back at your normal routine before you know it.
Here are some tips when it comes to controlling the pain and swelling.
Whether you opt for submuscular or subglandular implants, pain and
swelling is a normal part of the recovery process for breast
augmentation. The key, for you as the patient, is to understand this and
take your time on recovery road. Whether you experience only a little
swelling or a lot will depend on a few things, not the least of which is
individual reaction. The size of your implants and your doctor’s
technique will also play a role. But your job is not to determine the
cause of your swelling and pain so much as it is to find manageable ways
to endure it.
Some doctors will use an injectable form of medication to prevent the
nerves in your chest from properly transmitting the pain signals in the
days following the surgery. As a breast augmentation patient, this is
good news for you, as it will not only reduce the amount of pain you
feel, it is independent of trying to keep up with a pill swallowing
schedule. If your doctor does not opt for this type of pain relief, you
will be prescribed some form of medication to take on your own. Make
sure you follow dosing guidance and don’t take more than is recommended.
On the other hand, don’t wait until the pain is excruciating in an
attempt to “tough it out”. Pushing through the pain can hinder your
recovery.
Swelling will subside within a few days. Some doctors will recommend
using elevation and a combination of heat and cold to manage the
swelling during the first few days. Some doctors will also recommend
wearing a compression bra, which can also reduce some of the pain and
swelling associated with recovery. The most important thing is to wait
for the healing process to play out before you attempt to resume
activities such as vigorous exercise. Patients often like to rush the
recovery process, but this can often result in creating complications
and setting you back on your timetable.
