Post-operative Care Tips—Breast Augmentation (Augmentation Mammaplasty)

You might be ready for your upcoming cosmetic surgery, but have your prepared for your post-operative care? Regardless of the cosmetic procedure, it’s important to give yourself time to properly recover.

In 2017, the American Society of Plastic Surgeons found that the top five cosmetic surgeries performed in 2017 were:

• Breast Augmentation (Augmentation Mammaplasty)
• Liposuction
• Nose Reshaping (Rhinoplasty)
• Eyelid Surgery (Blepharoplasty)
• Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty)

While these procedures might be common, every person still needs time to properly recuperate. Depending on the type of procedure you have, the recovery times and can vary. Focusing on breast augmentation specifically, we’ve highlighted some tips to help you plan your post-operative care.

If you don’t have someone else to help with your recovery, skilled nursing can help you establish a post-operative care routine. At Cosmetic Companions in Dallas-Fort Worth, we offer skilled nursing for postoperative patients so you don’t have to go through recovery yourself. Sign up with skilled nursing today!

Breast Augmentation

The procedure for breast augmentation will require you to undergo anesthesia. When you wake up after the surgery, you can expect the usual grogginess and tiredness associated with anesthesia. Once you have properly recovered, you will be sent home with instructions from your surgeon.

After the procedure, you can expect that your chest will be wrapped with gauze to protect the incision sites. For the first couple of days, your surgeon might prescribe some pain killers to help with any pain.

It’s important to have a plan for different recovery stages: the first day home, the next 3–7 days, and the following weeks. Moving through those steps too fast can hinder your recovery time.

The follow-up appointment with your surgeon will let you know the progress of your recovery. Always listen to the post-operative care instructions from your surgeon, but these tips can also help you take care of yourself and your body.

Recovery Tips

• Follow Instructions: We’ve said this a lot, but this is the most important thing after any surgery cosmetic or otherwise: follow all instructions from your surgeon! They performed your surgery and have the best insights into recovery for your specific procedure.
• Ask For Help: While you’re recovering from breast augmentation, you’re not going to want to lift, bend, or physically exert yourself. This means you need to ask for help, whether it’s from a family member, friend, or home health services like skilled nursing.
• Set the mood: Create a space for your recovery to happen. Coming home to a space you’ve prepared in advance will get your recovery off to a strong start.
• Snacks: You might be nauseous following your surgery so having some light, healthy snacks ready will help settle your stomach.
• Hydrate: Your body just went under an operation that involved anesthesia. Drink plenty of water, both right after your surgery and throughout your recovery.
• Rest: Get plenty of rest to give your body the strength to heal.
• Bed Rest: When you’re resting or sleeping, lie on your back with a pillow propping your head and back up. This will take the strain off your breasts while you sleep and promote recovery.
• Limit Physical Activity: Limit your physical movements — like jumping or running — until you’ve recovered.
• Dress Comfortably: Wear loose-fitting clothes, especially around your breasts, to give your body time to heal.
• Massage: Massaging your breasts during recovery can help prevent capsular contracture and keep your breast tissue pliable. It’s important to wait until further into your recovery to start this, otherwise, you can damage your tissue and increase the likelihood of scarring. Always check with your surgeon to find the best time to start massaging and make sure that this a recommended technique.  

Average Recovery Time  

The average recovery time, according to most surgeons, is six weeks, but you might start feeling better after one week. Always check with your surgeon to make sure your body is fully recovered before exerting yourself physically.

Skilled Nursing at Cosmetic Companions

Post-operative care is a vital part of any cosmetic surgery. If you will be by yourself following your operation, skilled nursing is a great option to make sure you’re getting the care you need.

Cosmetic Companions in Dallas-Fort Worth has discovered the importance of skilled nurses to provide post-operative care for patients following cosmetic surgery. Our primary focus is to help you recover and feel confident in your recovery process. Contact us to learn more about our skilled nursing services or book a certified nurse for your upcoming procedure!