Through breast augmentation, women can take control over the contours of their body and achieve the desired breast size they’ve always wanted. If you’re considering breast augmentation surgery, the planning stages will be spent thinking about those desired results. Immediately after surgery, your attention will rest on your recovery. After the recovery period, however, many patients are left wondering how much special care their breast implants will require, if any. Be prepared for your life after breast augmentation with a thorough understanding of breast implants care.
Good Implant Care Starts During Recovery
The foundation for a healthy relationship with your breast implants starts immediately after surgery. That’s right—how you spend your recovery time can actually help your implants to last longer and look better. How? Choices you make during recovery can affect the way your body recovers. A smooth recovery means healthy breast tissue, which gives your breast implants the best chance of lasting a good long time.
For the best recovery from your breast augmentation surgery, follow these general tips, as well as any from your plastic surgeon:
- Patients typically require five full days of initial recovery. During this time, take enough time off from work, skip out on social engagements, and arrange for help with your important daily activities during recovery time.
- Avoid vigorous exercise and other strenuous activities for as long as your surgeon recommends, usually around six weeks. Ignoring this rule can lead to injuries and surgical complications.
- Don’t be brave and fight through the pain on your own. This can stress out the body and actually slow your healing process. Take your pain medication as prescribed, apply cold compresses as needed, and follow other care instructions carefully.
- Stock up on medical supplies so you will be able to change your bandages as needed.
- Follow your instructions to wear your surgical tape, support garment or special bra while you heal. This is essential to your future breast appearance and health.
- Attend all of your follow-up appointments as scheduled so your plastic surgeon can ensure your smooth recovery, remove stitches, and provide you with helpful advice as needed.
Don’t Skimp on the Right Support
Some patients are surprised to learn that their post-surgical breasts feel a little heavier than they did before. It’s not that the implants are heavier than breast tissue so much that a sudden change in size makes the weight more noticeable. Still, an increase in weight means that the right support is needed to help them stay pert and safe from future sagging. Help your body to adjust to these changes with the bra-like support garment you’ll receive after surgery, and then move on to a regular bra when you can.
When the time comes, don’t just put on the cheapest bra you see. You especially shouldn’t throw on an old, stretched out bra either. Go shopping at a proper lingerie shop and talk to a sales consultant. Get measured properly and try several styles on until you find the right fit for you. Your bra should provide support and comfort, without pinching or leaving red marks around the shoulders or elastic.
If you’re fairly athletic, throw away your old sports bra and find something new. Your breasts have changed and they will need increased support. Shop for specialized bras that provide the support needed for your favorite activities, from running to dodgeball. If you’re not sure where to start shopping, talk with your plastic surgeon to get some ideas. Supporting your breasts well now will help them to stay in place for years to come.
Massaging Your Implants
Even if it seems a little strange at first, a daily massage of your breasts can help to keep your implants healthy in the long run. All you need to do is massage the breast tissue gently with your fingers, making a circular motion as you work around the outline of your implant. This will help the implant stay soft and supple beneath the breast tissue. Breast massage is a quick and easy technique that you can do in the shower or just before bedtime. It can actually make your implants look and feel more natural, as well.
Your Health Matters
The health of your implants relies on your overall health, so don’t take it for granted. Keep yourself healthy with the right lifestyle to support your body’s overall well-being. Take your surgical after-care to the next level by continuing to eat healthfully and get moderate exercise regularly for years after your breast augmentation. Choose foods that are rich in vitamins and nutrients, avoiding harmful pesticides and additives when you can. Don’t forget to exercise routinely, wearing your new sports bra of course! Finally, make sure you stay well hydrated by drinking plenty of water, no matter what activities are on your busy schedule for the day.
Plan a Breast Augmentation Consultation
For more information about breast augmentation, consult with a board certified plastic surgeon to get the information you need. Contact the office of Dr. Douglas S. Steinbrech, a fully trained plastic surgeon who is Board Certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgeons, to book your consultation today. He will be happy to walk you through what you should expect from a body lift procedure or any other surgery that might address your areas of concern. A specialist in Minimally Invasive Aesthetics, he incorporates this philosophy into all of his surgical and nonsurgical procedures, while aiming to get you the best results possible. Dr. Steinbrech has been selected by the Consumers’ Research Council of America as one of America’s Top Plastic Surgeons. Contact his office, located at 60 East 56th Street, Suite 3A, in New York City, by calling (212) 750-0070.