Breast Augmentation Aftercare: Self-Care Activities and Post-Op Recovery
Women choose to get breast augmentations for a variety of reasons. Regardless of your reason, your breast augmentation will deliver the results you desire; however, the best results often require some recovery time. Initial recovery is generally one to two weeks and long-term recovery is approximately three months. In the first few days, patients can feel tired and may get bored while on bedrest or when they are unable to take part in usual activities. If you’re unsure how to spend that time, don’t worry, we’ve got you covered! You can still make the most of your recovery while giving yourself the rest you need to heal as you adjust to your new body.
1-5 days after surgery
During the first few days of post-operative recovery, you will likely experience fatigue and soreness, which means spending a lot of time sleeping and relaxing on the couch or in bed. You will be allowed to shower two days after surgery, but should face away from the shower and use lukewarm water. You may remove any gauze and your compression bra at this time, but the bra should go back on immediately after showering.
During this time it can be helpful to have a friend or family member around to help you with daily activities and chores that require the use of your upper body, such as food preparation and washing dishes. This period of recovery is a great time to binge your favorite shows and movies or check out any new ones you’ve been meaning to watch. If you don’t want visual media, try listening to a podcast or an audiobook.
1-2 weeks after surgery
After the first week, you will likely be feeling better and stronger, but you should still take it easy. You should not attend work, school, or extracurricular activities until 10 days following your procedure. No lifting, pushing, or pulling heavier than five pounds until two weeks after surgery, and be sure to avoid strenuous activities that raise blood pressure and pulse or require excessive use of the arms and chest. Wound healing should be complete by about 10 days following your procedure.
Take advantage of your free time by reading a book or doing an at-home face mask. If you are feeling up to it, invite a friend or two over and have them help you paint your nails or do your hair. Remember to stay hydrated, listen to your body’s needs, and call Dr. Houser’s office immediately if you notice any unexpected symptoms, which could be signs of infection.
3-4 weeks after surgery
At this point, you should be back at work or school, though you should still be cautious when it comes to upper body exercises and physical exertion. You will be able to gradually build up your activity level as time goes on—you will have a more specific idea of time frame at post-operative appointments with Dr. Houser. Avoid wearing underwire bras until he tells you that it is okay, as wearing underwire too soon can affect the positioning of the implants and your long-term results. Additional healing will continue until about three months after surgery, and as your body continues to adjust, there is nothing left to do but enjoy your new body and flaunt it with confidence.
While recovering from major surgery can feel daunting, the newfound confidence and happiness sparked by your beautifully-natural results will be worth it. Treat your body with care and it will make all the difference. Dr. Houser is happy to answer any questions you have about recovering from this or any other surgical procedure. Call him in Columbus at 614.890.5565 to schedule your appointment today.