4 Tips for a Smoother Breast Augmentation Recovery

As one of the most common cosmetic surgeries in the U.S. today, breast augmentation  allows women to feel confident about their bodies. This is especially true as the size and shape of the breasts change with age, pregnancy, and weight loss. At Ponte Vedra Plastic Surgery in Ponte Vedra Beach, FL, our board-certified plastic surgeons are excited to help you achieve a fuller, perkier appearance based on your personal aesthetic goals. Women in Jacksonville, FL, who are considering breast augmentation should know that proper healing is an integral part of the process as it gives you the most optimal results. Keep in mind these tips as you recover from breast augmentation surgery.

1. Plan ahead for breast augmentation surgery recovery

Immediately after breast augmentation surgery, you will need a responsible adult or family member to stay with you for at least 24 hours. They can help you with simple tasks like using the restroom and preparing meals. Due to the surgical processes involved with breast augmentation and the addition of breast implants, you are limited when it comes to physical activities for several weeks. You can plan by taking care of certain errands before the procedure. There are many chores you will be too tired to accomplish post-op, such as cleaning the house.

Stock up on supplies and get your prescriptions filled beforehand so they are ready and waiting for you. If you have children at home, it is a good idea to have someone take care of them for a few days since you may not feel up to childcare. Many of our patients have premade meals and healthy snacks for themselves and their families to eat during recovery. This saves you a lot of time and energy!

Make sure there is a comfortable area at home with easy access to water, medication, books, and magazines, or the television. This could be your bedroom or living room, but having a designated spot just for you is an excellent way to rest and recover.

2. Manage Your Pain from breast augmentation

During your consultation with the board-certified plastic surgeons at Ponte Vedra Plastic Surgery, we will discuss what you should expect in terms of discomfort after breast augmentation surgery. It’s common to experience soreness or tenderness, as well as pressure or tightness around the chest. The severity is based on your tolerance for pain and the type of surgery you receive. Some women will feel very little pain, while others need to manage it with help. Our skilled practitioners will prescribe you pain medication for a short time to make you as comfortable as possible early on. We also use an injection during surgery that will help with immediate post-operative pain.

Over-the-counter pain medication and anti-nausea medication can also be used, but have a discussion with your plastic surgeon beforehand for your safety. During the breast augmentation consultation, we will thoroughly assess your health, medical history, and any medications or supplements you may be taking at home. All of these factors help us determine whether you are a candidate for the procedure and which drugs work best for you. If you have pain for a prolonged period, or if you experience concerning symptoms, do not hesitate to call our facility so we can help.

3. Practice Healthy Habits

Sticking to healthy habits following breast augmentation and the addition of breast implants can make surgery more successful for Jacksonville, FL patients. This includes drinking plenty of water and staying hydrated while eating healthy meals at home. You may be nauseous from the anesthesia on your first day, so start with a light meal and soft foods with water. After that, follow through with healthy meals that will give your body the strength and energy to heal over the next few weeks.

Smoking or consuming tobacco products will inhibit the healing process for breast augmentation recovery. Even if you don’t smoke very often, this can increase your risk of infection or other complications in the future. For this reason, we strongly recommend you quit as soon as possible.

4. Be Smart About Physical Activities

Along with your plastic surgeon, the dedicated staff at Ponte Vedra Plastic Surgery will give you a recovery timeline so you understand when to rest and when it’s okay to begin physical activity again. Any restrictions a surgeon provides you should be taken seriously, as you risk altering your results. As with anything, moderation is key. If you do too much too soon, you may become injured or adversely affect your final results.

It is recommended that Jacksonville breast augmentation patients ease back into exercise slowly, starting with slow walks accompanied by a close friend or family member. As time passes and you feel comfortable in your new body, you can begin to stretch, run, jump, and get back into your regular routines. If you have questions about specific types of exercise, call our practice in Ponte Vedra Beach, FL, so we can give you advice.

To learn more about breast augmentation as a whole, types of breast implants, and the recovery process from breast augmentation, you can schedule a personal consultation  with the team of board-certified plastic surgeons at Ponte Vedra Plastic Surgery. We will connect you with a trusted professional who is experienced with all aspects of breast augmentation from start to finish and will walk you through the process and help you get the results you want.