Breast Surgery or Breast augmentation procedures have become popular over the years. Most women go for breast enhancement procedures to bolster their confidence and level of happiness. And the results have been overwhelmingly impressive. That said, it helps to understand the recovery process before taking the plunge.
Recovery varies from person to person since everyone’s body is unique. Even so, there are some general stages that you will expect to go through in your recovery journey. Here are some of them:
Acute Post-operation recovery
In the first few hours after the surgery, you are likely to feel sore and groggy. Your arm mobility may be limited, and your breast will be under wraps. It may feel like a horrible hangover. Luckily, the feelings of disorientation and daze will fade off in hours.
Your surgeon could choose to administer a local numbing pain block to ease any. You will need someone to drive you and stay with you for the first few days after the procedure. That is because you may have restricted movement and physical activity. Avoid tobacco, alcohol, and any blood-thinning medications. Prioritize relaxation to help your body heal.
Up to 5 days post-op form breast surgery
These first few days will be the most uncomfortable ones in your breast surgery recovery journey. However, with breast augmentation by Dr. Paul Glat, you will have care instructions on how to reduce discomfort.
They will offer antibiotics, relaxers, and pain medication to help you in the first few days. Some people report tightness and muscle aches during this stage. The aching may be in the shoulders, neck, back, or breasts. However, they are nothing a muscle relaxer won’t fix.
It is also common to have bruising, minor bleeding, or swelling at the incision site. It is no cause for alarm. However, if something does not feel right, contact your surgeon.
One week
At this point, the roughest days of your recovery are behind you. The discomfort will have worn off a bit. Over-the-counter medications should be enough to counter any remaining pain. If you still have some swelling and pain, use a cold compress for that. You may slowly resume your daily activities. However, avoid heavy lifting and strenuous physical activities. Your doctor may suggest stretching exercises to help the implants and surrounding tissues settle well.
Two to four weeks
At this stage, you may notice that the swelling and bruising may have reduced significantly. The soreness and pain will have died down considerably. You may also have regained mobility in your arms. You may be free to do some light, lower body exercises, but consult your doctor to be sure. Being almost a month post-operation, you should be able to see some glimpses of your results, seeing that the implants may have settled by now.
Two months
At the 2-month mark, your surgeon should be clearing you for daily activities after assessing your progress. Your doctor may also allow you to ditch the surgical and compression bras for regular ones. The incision scars will begin to fade, and your breasts will now look rounder and fuller. At this point, it is safe to say that your healing is near complete.
Six months
At six months, you may have appointments to confirm that the implants have settled well and that the scars are healing as expected.
Bottom line
Understanding the process of recovery makes it easier to demystify a boob job. It also gives you the confidence to go through the rough days since you know better ones are on the horizon.
