Breast enlargement is major surgery. It requires a certain amount of pre-surgery prep and post-surgery recovery. It’s a journey that takes time and rest to get your desired results. Here are 10 aftercare tips for breast enlargement surgery to speed up recovery and ease discomfort.
What is Breast Enlargement Surgery?
Breast enlargement surgery is also known as breast augmentation. During the procedure, your surgeon will use implants to make your breasts larger. Also known as augmentation mammoplasty, the surgery involves placing breast implants either under or over the chest muscle to increase breast size.
The procedure can enhance breast size but also help with breast asymmetry. If one breast is a different size, it can help to correct uneven breasts after another breast surgery. After significant weight loss, pregnancy, or even natural ageing, your breasts can decrease in size. Breast augmentation can help to enhance confidence and adjust breast size.
During breast enlargement surgery, there are various techniques your plastic surgeon may use. You will discuss the implant placement, type of incision, and type and shape of implants at your cosmetic surgery consultation. All of these elements influence the final result.
For a more detailed overview, read our quick guide on how to prepare for breast augmentation surgery.
What to Expect Before and After Breast Enlargement Surgery
Whether you’re counting down the days until your surgery or are just thinking about getting breast implants, you need to understand what to expect before and after. Here are some tips to help you prepare for your surgery:
- Ask for help from family or friends
- Prepare your meals ahead of the surgery
- Stock up on some ice
- Stop smoking
- Adjust your medications as per your surgeon’s instructions
- Avoid certain drugs like anti-inflammatories
Following your surgery, you will need to rest a lot and not rush into anything. The majority of patients need up to two weeks off work to recover. You can start with light activities around the house after a week and be back to normal activities in six weeks. You should see the final results at about six months after your surgery.
10 Breast Enlargement Aftercare Tips
1. Get Plenty of Rest
Rest immediately after your surgery and don’t do any exercise. You want to give your body the best chance of healing, so take the time you need. Listen to your body and take it easy. In general, after the first couple of weeks, you should start to feel back to normal and resume gentle activities. Take it easy and follow your surgeon’s post-operative instructions.
2. Sleep on Your Back
You probably won’t want to sleep on your stomach anyway, as this will be more painful. But make sure you’re sleeping on your back; otherwise, your implants may displace. It can feel strange sleeping after breast augmentation, to begin with, especially if you’re not a back sleeper. Try sleeping in your back a few weeks before your surgery so that you’re more comfortable after your procedure.
3. Eat a Balanced Diet
Eat a balanced and varied diet to give your body the fuel it needs to recover. Take a multivitamin to aid healing, and make sure you get plenty of protein in your diet. Nutrition is key during your recovery. It’s a good idea to pre-cook some meals ahead of your procedure, so you have healthy food that’s grabbable.
4. Get Moving
Start walking the day after your operation. Even if it’s just a few minutes in the garden, it’s important to get moving as soon as you can. Moving after surgery is important for blood circulation and reducing the risk of blood clots after surgery. By no means should you be doing anything strenuous, but just a little walk from your bed to the bathroom helps.
5. Wear your TED stockings
Depending on your operation, you will need to wear your TED stockings for 1 or 2 weeks. Don’t forget your calf exercises, as well. TED stockings are also known as compression stockings. They are designed to reduce the risk of developing a deep vein thrombosis or blood clot in the lower leg.
6. Wear Your Garment
You will need to wear your supportive garment day and night for six weeks following your surgery. Your post-operative bra is your breast enlargement recovery best friend. You will be wearing your compression garment a lot, but for a good reason. It helps to reduce swelling, aid recovery, and keep your breasts in position while healing. The bra also helps to take pressure off the incision site.
7. Avoid Strenuous Exercise for Six Weeks
Although you can introduce gentle exercise a few weeks after your surgery, you should avoid strenuous exercise and upper body exercise for six weeks. Remember to listen to your body and don’t push yourself too much. You’re still healing, and that takes time.
8. Don’t Immerse the Area in Water
Avoid immersing the area in water, but you can shower the day after your surgery. Your surgeon will explain how to keep your dressing dry. As long as you can stand safely, you can shower roughly 48 hours after your surgery. Avoid having baths or immersing the whole area in the water.
9. Stay Hydrated
Drink plenty of fluids after your breast enlargement surgery. Staying hydrated is crucial for the healing process. Drinking plenty of water helps to flush out the anaesthetic from your system, which will help you to feel much more like your normal self. Water also carries crucial nutrients around the body, supporting the healing process.
10. Communicate Any Concerns
Communicate any worries or issues as soon as they arise. Don’t wait for your check-up appointment with your surgeon. Pick up the phone and communicate any concerns early on. At the Harley Clinic, you will have direct communication with your plastic surgeon. You simply pick up the phone and speak to your doctor.
Breast Enlargement Surgery UK at The Harley Clinic
If you’re considering breast enlargement surgery and would like to speak with an expert Harley Street breast surgeon, book a consultation today at the Harley Clinic.
