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Once you have recovered from the
anesthesia, you'll naturally want to rush to the mirror
to see your new figure. Be patient. What you see immediately
after surgery is rarely what your breasts will look
like several months after surgery. The implants may
be sitting high, especially if you they were placed
under the muscle, and they may look obvious or unnatural.
Since you're not used to seeing your self with larger
breasts, you might think you made a big mistake and
your breast implants are too large. As swelling dissipates
and your breast tissue relaxes, the results will look
better and better. By 6 to 8 weeks after surgery (sooner
in some cases), you'll love your new look, and your
new attitude.
discomfort - Temporary discomfort
after breast augmentation surgery can vary from mild
to moderate to severe, in some cases, and lasts anywhere
from a few days to several weeks or more. The two factors
that affect your comfort level the most are the size
and placement of the implant. The larger the size, the
more discomfort you will have, especially if you have
never breastfed. (Breastfeeding stretches the breast
tissue and may make it easier to accomodate an implant).
If your implant is placed under the muscle, you will
experience more discomfort than if it is over the muscle.
This is because the muscle must stretch to make room
for the implant beneath it. Your doctor will have given
you medication to help control the pain. Don't be afraid
to use it as directed.
sutures - Internal sutures
that were used to close the pocket around the implant
will dissolve on their own. Stitches that were used
to close the external incisions on the skin will either
be dissolvable, or they will be removed 7 to 10 days
after your surgery.
bandages - Most surgeons
place a compression bandage or a compression bra on
you after surgery. The compression is designed to prevent
blood and fluid accumulation, to speed your healing,
and to keep the implants in place while the breast pocket
heals. If you have an ace bandage wrapped around your
chest, your doctor will probably remove that the day
after surgery and place you into a compression bra.
He or she may want you to use that bra for 2 weeks or
more before being able to wear the pretty, lacy ones
that you've had your eye on. If you are still swollen,
underwire bras can leave an indentation on the breast,
so check with your doctor before switching bras.
drainage - After surgery
you wil have a gauze dressing over your incisions to
absorb any drainage. There is usually very little drainage
with breast augmentation surgery; however, if your surgeon
anticipates that there may be more fluid or blood accumulation
than usual, he or she may place drains to allow the
fluids to exit rather than build up inside. The drain
is a tiny tube that travels to a collecting bulb, and
exits through part of your incision. If you do have
a drain, it will probably be removed a day to a few
days after surgery. The longer it stays in, the higher
the chance of infection, so be sure to take your antibiotics
as directed.
swelling - Some swelling
is usual after breast implant surgery, and can cause
increased tenderness. Cold packs and compression garments
will help to control the swelling, as will keeping your
activity to a minimum. Sleeping with a couple extra
pillows under your head and shoulders or in a reclining
chair will further help to reduce swelling.
bruising - Bruising is variable,
but for most women, there is little bruising after breast
augmentation surgery. If you notice an enlarging bruise
that feels firm, especially that is causing increasing
pain, call your doctor. This may be a hematoma (blood
collection) that needs treatment.
activity - Your breast augmentation
surgeon will limit your activity after surgery to speed
your healing and decrease the risk of complications.
Most people have very limited activity for the first
3 days, especially arm and shoulder movement. Your activity
will gradually increase during the 4 to 14 day period
after surgery. By 6 weeks, most women are able to return
to full activity.
medications - Your doctor
will provide you with prescriptions for pain medicine
and antiobiotics. You may also want to have on hand
some extra strength tylenol for when the narcotic pain
medicine is no longer needed, laxatives and stool softeners
(pain medicine and anesthesia can cause constipation),
and possibly medication for vaginal yeast infections
(antibiotics can cause that problem in some women).
nerve sensation - Most women
after breast augmentation surgery have some patchy areas
of numbness from the bruised nerves in the breast. The
sensation usually returns to normal within a month or
so after surgery. As the nerves recover, you may feel
shooting pains or electrical shock sensations. Although
bothersome, this is actually a good sign that your sensation
is returning. Advil or aspirin may help alleviate these
sensations, as may Vitamin E, but check with your doctor
before taking these medications as they can cause bleeding.
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