Are you planning on getting breast augmentation surgery? If so, it’s reasonable for you to want to know how much pain you’ll be in following the breast augmentation procedure and if there is anything you can do to minimize any pain during that time.
That said, it should be comforting to know that the majority of patients are able to handle the discomfort associated with breast augmentation very well by following some simple guidelines.
Breast augmentation surgery is usually not nearly as painful as most patients think it’s going to be. Pain is usually so slight after the procedure that most patients use only over-the-counter pain medication, including Advil or Tylenol. Since you may react differently to surgery and may experience more pain than others do, you will likely be prescribed a pain medication in advance, in case it is needed.
It’s important to fill this prescription prior to your surgery day, as you will be returning home, driven by a friend, family member, or medical courier serviceperson.
Compared to other cosmetic surgery procedures, such as rhinoplasty or a facelift, breast augmentation is usually much less painful.
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What to Expect After Breast Augmentation
Since you probably have questions about what to anticipate following surgery, let’s cover that first.
When the procedure is complete, the surgeon’s staff will take you to a recovery room, where you will remain until you come to, as the anesthesia wears off.
Most patients come up feeling quite foggy and report that they have little to no memory of the first ten to fifteen minutes after awakening.
During this period, the nurses are doing basic vital signs checks on the patient.
After a few hours have elapsed, you will start to feel pain or discomfort for the first time. The breasts will swell in most cases and may have some light bruising as a result of the procedure.
Your surgeon will have written you a prescription for pain medication well in advance of your surgery day, to help you manage the discomfort during the first week of recovery, which is often when pain is at its peak.
Compression of the breasts is usually advised, either via the use of a surgical bra, or compression bandages.
It is quite common to see a few blood spots on the bandages in the days after surgery, though small blood spots typically don’t indicate problematic bleeding. If you notice excessive bleeding, you should contact your surgeon immediately.
Breast augmentation patients will have one or more appointments with their surgeon within the week after surgery, to have the bandages changed and to undergo an assessment.
Despite this, each patient is unique and might have varying pain thresholds; some people report feeling little to no discomfort at all after surgery.
Breast Augmentation Surgery Recovery Tips
There are a few things that you can do to make your experience better after your surgery such as:
- Make transportation arrangements in advance to ensure that you will have a way to travel home from the clinic and back again the following morning after the surgery. It is not permissible for you to drive yourself to these appointments.
- It is usually a good idea to ask a friend or family to help you with day-to-day activities while you are recuperating. If you have small children, this is of utmost importance since you are unable to carry anything that is too heavy.
- For the first 60 nights, you should sleep on your back or side. Never become comfortable sleeping on your stomach as this can affect your results.
- Patients are required to cut down on all forms of physical activity for the first two weeks. This might cause wounds to reopen or cause implants to get dislodged. Exercise, hard lifting, and any other activities should not be resumed until your surgeon gives his or her approval. When you are given the all-clear, begin slowly and pay attention to what your body tells you.
- You should skip the shower for the next two weeks. You are able to take showers, but you must ensure that the wounds and dressings are totally dry before doing so.
- Do not use a bra with underwires or push-ups for at least six weeks following surgery, until the incisions have completely healed and the breasts have returned to their natural shape.
Attending Follow-Up Appointments is Important
In the event that a patient experiences anything out of the ordinary, including bleeding that does not seem to be stopping, major swelling, discomfort in the chest or trouble breathing, and severe headaches, they should call the clinic as soon as possible. Always make sure that you show up to each of your follow-up visits so that the surgeon may check on your progress and ensure that you are recovering properly. Following a breast augmentation operation, they normally occur between 1 and 2 weeks, 3 months, 6 months, and 1 year after the treatment.
If you’ve been considering breast augmentation or already have an appointment scheduled, the best approach to prepare for any discomfort that could emerge is to follow your surgeon’s recommendations and take the right pain medication.
