Even if you have the most skilled surgeon to lift and augment your breasts, you can still suffer from post-operative swelling and bruising. Swelling and bruising after breast augmentation surgery is a natural part of the healing process.
However, there are some things that you can do to help reduce the swelling and pain after your surgery. Below are some tips that may.
Table of Contents
- 1. Follow Your Surgeon’s Post-Surgical Care Instructions
- 2. Wear A Post-Op Surgical Bra
- 3. Don’t Lift Anything Over Your Head
- 4. Eat A Balanced Diet
- 5. Drink More Water
- 6. Sleep In An Upright Position
- 7. Supplement with Vitamins, Minerals, and Iron
- 8. Enough Sleep
- 9. Use a Cold Compresses as Needed
- 10. Gently Exercising
- 11. Take It Easy For At Least Two Weeks
- 12. Avoid Hot Baths and Showers
- 13. Don’t Stay In One Position For Too Long
- 14. Monitor Surgical Drains
- 15. Follow-Up Visits with Your Surgeon
- Final Thought
1. Follow Your Surgeon’s Post-Surgical Care Instructions
Your doctor will usually provide you with written or verbal post-surgical care instructions. It is very important that you follow these to the letter, as this will help your surgeon determine how effective your surgery was and if there are any complications that need further treatment.
Breast augmentation surgery is a common procedure that involves placing implantable fillers in the breasts to increase their size or improve their shape.
After your procedure, you will usually experience some degree of breast swelling (which is a normal side effect) and soreness in the breasts.
You should follow the advice of your surgeon to reduce this for faster healing and better results.
2. Wear A Post-Op Surgical Bra
Your surgeon will provide you with a surgical bra, which you should wear for the first week of recovery. These bras are also available to buy online and they usually have compressive qualities that help reduce swelling and support your breasts as they heal.
During recovery, it is advisable that you don’t use underwire bras or tight sports bras, and you should only wear a bra if it doesn’t cause discomfort.
3. Don’t Lift Anything Over Your Head
Some women find it hard to resist picking up their baby or brushing their hair for the first few days after surgery, but you should avoid doing anything that involves lifting your arms above shoulder level.
You should also refrain from using a blow dryer until your surgeon gives you the go-ahead. Lifting things over your head could mean that you end up injuring yourself and delaying your recovery. Meanwhile, avoid pulling or pushing.
4. Eat A Balanced Diet
Your body and skin need nutrients to heal and recover, so it is important that you eat a healthy diet of fresh fruit, vegetables, and protein.
5. Drink More Water
Drinking 8 glasses of water are recommended. Drinking water can help reduce fluid retention, which will improve your overall appearance. Water also keeps your skin hydrated and plump, which is essential for helping to conceal any swelling.
6. Sleep In An Upright Position
Sleeping or lying down flat on your back for too long after breast augmentation surgery can put pressure on the area and cause unnecessary swelling. Sleeping upright will help to reduce bloating, but you should always ask your surgeon before changing positions.
7. Supplement with Vitamins, Minerals, and Iron
Supplementing with vitamins and minerals can help to speed up the healing process and it will give your body a welcome boost. Your body will also need extra iron if you lose blood during your surgery.
You should talk to your doctor about specific supplements for breast augmentation patients, as they may recommend certain supplements over others depending on what you are lacking.
8. Enough Sleep
Having good sleep is essential for your body to function properly. A good sleep is one of the most effective ways to reduce swelling after surgery.
9. Use a Cold Compresses as Needed
Cold compresses and ice packs will help to reduce swelling by numbing the area and constricting the blood vessels. Something as simple as an ice pack can make a huge difference, so it is worth taking the time to get one that suits your needs.
There are specially designed gel packs available for this purpose or you could use something such as a bag of frozen peas wrapped in a wet towel.
Don’t apply ice directly to the skin without wrapping it in something first, as this could cause further damage by reducing blood flow to that area.
Cold compresses can also help to reduce any pain you are feeling. If possible, use an ice pack for 20 minutes every hour until the pain subsides.
If your skin becomes red or swollen after using ice packs or cold compresses you should stop straight away and speak to your doctor.
10. Gently Exercising
Carefully engaging in light exercise after surgery can help to reduce any swelling that you might experience and improve the overall appearance of your breasts.
You should avoid doing anything too strenuous, and remember that it is important to ask your surgeon for advice before undertaking any new exercises or sports routines.
If you are unsure whether it is safe for you to do any exercise, your doctor will be happy to give you some advice.
Wearing a surgical bra can also help to reduce swelling by supporting your breasts and gently lifting them up in your exercise.
11. Take It Easy For At Least Two Weeks
It is a good idea to take a two-week break from your daily exercise routine. You should also allow yourself some time to relax and unwind, as this will help to reduce your stress levels and boost your immune system. However, you should ask your surgeon how long they would like you to ease off before resuming normal activities.
12. Avoid Hot Baths and Showers
Taking hot baths or showers after surgery can cause complications for your recovery, as hot water can make you sweat and cause your blood vessels to dilate.
This makes it harder for your body to recover from surgery and will add to the effects of swelling on the affected area. You should wait until at least two weeks after surgery before taking a bath or shower, but you should always ask your surgeon how long they would like you to avoid hot water.
13. Don’t Stay In One Position For Too Long
When you sleep, always try and change your position often. It is also important that you do not stay in one position for too long when sitting down or standing up, as this could cause swelling around the surgical area.
If you need to sit down for an extended period of time, try and change your position every fifteen or twenty minutes. You should also take short walks whenever you can to improve circulation.
14. Monitor Surgical Drains
Surgical drains are designed to help reduce fluid retention and swelling, but you need to monitor them closely to make sure they are working properly.
If your surgical drains start to fill up with fluid, this is a sign that your body needs more time to heal before it can expel excess fluids. You need to contact your surgeon straight away if you suspect that your surgical drains are not draining properly.
15. Follow-Up Visits with Your Surgeon
You should arrange to see your surgeon for a follow-up appointment several weeks after surgery so they can check on your progress. Your surgeon will also provide you with specific instructions about when to come back, so be sure to ask them any questions that you might have regarding the healing process.
Final Thought
During the recovery process after breast augmentation surgery, it’s essential that you monitor yourself and pay attention to your body’s reaction day by day.
If you notice anything unusual, tell your doctor straight away because it could be a sign of infection or another problem that needs treatment.
If you take care of yourself during recovery you should have no problems making a full recovery and returning to normal life after surgery.
