There are many questions related to breast augmentation. Kole Plastic Surgery of the Kole Plastic Surgery Center Center Of Southampton, Bucks County PA has broken these down into categories of size, implant type, cost and recovery. This article will answer the last of those questions, the recovery process.
The breast augmentation recovery
Every patient must go through a recovery process after a breast augmentation, but every patient has a slightly different experience. Philadelphia area Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons like Kole Plastic Surgery can accommodate the needs of any post operative patient, even those from out of town or out of state.
The recovery process starts even before you arrive in the operating room. Anti anxiety and anti nausea medications are given to relax you and provide nausea relief as a preventative measure. In the operating room, pain relief (even though you are asleep) is also given as a preventative measure, all preparing for your post operative recovery.
In the recovery room, you will be closely monitored by our recovery room staff where one nurse to one patient is the rule. You will have some ace bandage wraps in place and gauze to provide compression to limit the implants shifting and to limit swelling. It is normal to stay in the recovery room for 1-2 hours until your grogginess and nausea (if present) completely subsides.
The discharge process:
The discharge process consists of going over all the post operative instructions once again, review of the medicine sheet of new prescriptions and their doses, scheduling and uses, as well as answering any last minute questions. A post operative appointment will be made and Dr. Kole will give you a time he will call you on the night of surgery. You will be assisted with getting dressed by the nursing staff, placed in a wheelchair and escorted to your friend or family member for your ride home.
The first few days after surgery:
Rest, rest and rest. You should use your provided incentive spirometry inhale device every 15 minutes while awake and take brief walks around the house to prevent blood clots. The discomfort and spasm as well as pain will subside significantly over the first 24 hours and get progressively less each and everyday. The bandages will be removed in approximately 3 days and the sutures will be removed at the 7 day mark. Pain will be controlled with oral medications and antibiotics will be prescribed and completed in 7 days. Patients are allowed to bathe after surgery, but must keep their chest area dry until the 3rd day when the bandages area removed. Someone should help you at least for 24 hours after surgery.
Getting back to normal
You should not lift anything greater than 10 pounds or do aerobics or strenuous activity for two weeks or until fully cleared by Dr. Kole. Most patients can return to work within 7 days as long as their job does not consist of strenuous lifting straining or pulling.
The breast tissue will be swollen and firm and will occasionally have changes in nipple sensation. These should resolve in 4 to 6 weeks as the edema subsides.
The best advice is to take it slow and let your body adjust to your new “assets”. You should adhere to the post operative follow up appointment schedule set by Dr. Kole to minimize potential complications. Recovery is always smoother if you and your doctor are on the same page as far as your recovery goes.
To schedule a complimentary private consultation with Kole Plastic Surgery of the Kole Plastic Surgery Center Center regarding your breast augmentation, please call 215-315-7655 .
