This article is about the factors involved in the recovery from breast implant surgery. It provides information on what to expect and what can help with the process.
When you're recovering form breast implant surgery,
there are many factors to consider. Several factors, such as type of surgery, implant size, body type, incision location, experience of the surgeon and location of the implant, all affect recovery time.
Most breast implant surgery patients are able to resume normal activities, including returning to work, about a week after surgery. Much of the issue on how quickly a woman is able to return to normal activity depends on the surgical procedure. When surgeons place implants underneath the pectoral muscles, recovery will normally be longer because the muscle was cut during surgery. Woman having the implants placed under the muscle normally also experience more pain in the recovery process as well. Women having implants placed over the muscles are able to recover much more quickly. Because the breast has not been cut and the muscle stretched, these women normally return to regular activities much sooner than do women having the implants placed under the muscle.
Following surgery, the breasts are covered in gauze. Depending on the surgery, there also may be drainage tubes to help in recovery. The drainage tubes will be removed after a few days. Oftentimes, patients are required to wear a surgical bra.
For the first few days after surgery, you will need to be limited in your actions. After a few days, you may be up for returning to some everyday activities, but not exercise. Breast implant patients are normally advised to avoid exercise and strenuous physical activity for as long as six weeks. The patient's health history and physical condition also play a role in how soon she can return to an exercise program.
While exercise will be off-limits for patients during recovery, some physical activity will be encouraged to limit discomfort during the healing process. Arm movements will normally be encouraged by a doctor to keep the recovery process moving along and keep the discomfort level down.
Over-the-counter pain relievers such as Tylenol may be taken in recovery or your doctor may prescribe something stronger to help with pain. A pain catheter may be prescribed in certain instances. Using pain catheters has been proven to be a safe and effective tool in pain management during recovery.
Swelling is common in the area where surgery was done. The swelling should go down after a few days. Scars from surgery are normally noticeable for about six weeks after which time they begin to fade.
Returning to work also is an issue that needs to be worked out with your doctor. If in a more strenuous or stressful job, you may want to extend that return date to two weeks, especially if you had an incision in the nipple or surgery above the breast crease line. Both of these procedures will increase the recovery time for most women.
You should also not lift anything over your head for three weeks or more following surgery.
Do not feel that you have to rush into activities or beat the recommended recovery time. Each surgery is different and much of recovery is based on your doctor's expertise and how the surgery goes.
