Breast augmentation surgery is by far the most popular cosmetic procedure in the U.S., with over 320,000 women getting implants each year.
Recovering from the surgery is not as daunting as some may think – provided you follow the correct post-operative care and protocol.
By heeding these recovery tips, many women find themselves ready to go back to work and daily activities within five days after their procedure.
1. Manage the Pain Properly
Some level of discomfort after surgery is inevitable. Your doctor will prescribe pain medication, but many patients find over-the-counter painkillers are sufficient in the days following their augmentation.
We recommend getting prescriptions filled beforehand, so you won’t need to worry about visiting a pharmacy during recovery.
2. Plan and Prepare
Planning is one of the most effective ways to make your recovery as speedy and comfortable as possible.
Before the date of your surgery, get everything in order – such as picking up prescriptions (as discussed above), scheduling time off work, clearing your social calendar, doing shopping, preparing some meals, and organizing your home for maximum comfort. That way, you’ll have nothing to worry about after your procedure except relaxing.
Proper planning reduces stress to a minimum and means you can give your body the rest it needs immediately after the operation.
3. Sleep and Rest
The better rested your body is, the more effectively it can recover from the operation. That means getting a full eight hours of sleep every night in the week leading up to the procedure, and planning to sleep and rest a whole lot more in the days after your breast augmentation.
4. Nutrition and Hydration
Again, heading into your operation, the more prepared your body is, the better it will heal.
You should eat a balanced, nutritious diet for at least the two weeks before your surgery. Plenty of fruit, vegetables, protein, carbs, lean fats, and vitamins in your system will help you recover more quickly.
It’s smart to do meal prep before your operation as well, so eating and keeping your energy up as you recover is as straightforward as popping a plate in the microwave.
As you can see, a lot of the aftercare for breast augmentation happens before the procedure. These tips are also applicable for other forms of cosmetic surgery, including breast lifts, liposuction, and tummy tucks. If you can prepare your body and home ahead of time, the aftercare almost handles itself in the form of rest and relaxation.
Get the Most out of Your Breast Augmentation
At Plastic Surgery Services of Fredericksburg, our goal is maximum results with minimum downtime.
If you have any other queries about recovering from breast augmentation, or would like clarification on any of these suggestions, please reach out to our expert panel of surgeons at 540-371-7730. You can also arrange an online consultation here. We look forward to hearing from you!