Breast augmentation: aftercare and recovery
When you have breast augmentation done, your body needs time to recover. The average recovery period is 6 weeks, but the final result often takes a little longer. We often get questions about what to do and what not to do after breast augmentation and how to promote recovery. That’s why we’d like to explain to you what the Do’s and Don’ts are after breast augmentation with breast implants!
The first day after surgery, your breasts will feel sore and will still be swollen. The results of breast augmentation do show immediately, but of course your breasts will continue to get more beautiful every day! Only after about 3 months will you see the final result.
A successful recovery begins with proper preparation
A body that is healthy and fit before breast augmentation will recover faster and better. Therefore, make sure your body is fit and has enough nutrients for the surgery. This ensures better wound healing after surgery and reduces the risk of complications. Our partner R-Support has developed two science-based nutritional supplements for this purpose: Recover Prepare and Recover After Surgery. In preparation for surgery, you could start two weeks in advance with
Recover Prepare. This is a shake that enhances your immune system and replenishes any deficiencies in essential nutrients for your surgery. It complements your normal (healthy) diet. Immediately after surgery, you could start with Recover After Surgery to maximize recovery and promote wound healing.
It is important to fast the day of the procedure!
Furthermore, if possible, arrange for extra help at home, such as from a partner, friend or associate who can help you out the first few days. Stop smoking, too!
Wear a sports bra
For 6 weeks after breast augmentation, you should wear a sports bra. This should only come off while showering. The bra should provide adequate support, so it’s important that the bra fits your breasts nicely after your breast augmentation, and that it’s not too big. On the website, emdawear.co.uk, the shop features 17 different sports bras. Of these, we recommend the Bonnie variety.
Drains
If necessary, drains (thin tubes) are placed after surgery to drain the wound fluid. If you go home with drains, they’re usually removed within two days. You’ll receive a call from the assistant at MOOI Clinic. You can expect this call starting at noon. If you don’t receive a call, we may not be able to reach you, so please call the clinic. Until the drains are taken out, you should not shower! After the drains are removed, you may shower quickly.
The first days after your breast augmentation: what to do and what not to do?
After surgery, you can usually go home the same day. We check that everything is fine with you and after our plastic surgeon’s approval, you may go home. Your breasts will feel sore and tense. That feeling lessens after a few days. In order to obtain the most MOOI result and speed up your recovery, we recommend the following: (Unless expressly stated otherwise by the plastic surgeon).
DON’T: DRIVE YOURSELF HOME
One thing you should not do immediately after surgery is get behind the wheel yourself. So make sure there is someone with you who can drive you home safely. Moreover, your breasts will feel sore and tense, so you’ll prefer to move as little as possible. The advice is not to drive a car for 2 weeks.
DO: REST A LOT
You should take it easy for the first 10 to 14 days after your breast augmentation with implants. This means you should rest a lot and avoid doing (heavy) household chores. Is there someone who can cook delicious meals for you, help you get dressed and undressed or occasionally get up for you? After surgery, you may have trouble getting up, so it’s nice to have someone around to help you. Note! Resting too much and too long is not good for your body either. Stretch your legs occasionally during a short walk to reduce the risk of thrombosis or embolism.
DON’T: PHYSICAL EXERTION
For the first two weeks after surgery, you should take it easy and put as little strain on your body as possible. This means:
- do not lift or stoop
- reaching with your upper arms no higher than shoulder height
- don’t push yourself up with the arms
- Do not run, bike or engage in other sports activities
- walking and gentle movements with the arms are allowed
DON’T DO IT RIGHT AWAY: SHOWERING AND BATHING
If you don’t have drains, you may shower again 24 hours after surgery if you feel the need. If you do have drains, then you should wait to shower for a while anyway. Better wait two days before showering again. Of course, you can freshen up your body with some warm water and a washcloth. However, you should not bathe for the first 6 weeks!
DO: TAKE PAIN MEDICATION
If you feel lousy or your breasts are very painful, you may always take paracetamol and any additional painkillers prescribed by the doctor. When problems occur at home, such as a lot of pain, increasing swelling or tension on one side, you should contact us.
DON’T: SLEEP ON YOUR STOMACH OR SIDE
It probably won’t occur to you so soon after surgery, but for the first six weeks after your breast augmentation, you absolutely must not sleep on your stomach. Also, sleeping on your side is not allowed. Belly sleepers need to take a break. It’s best to sleep on your back with an extra pillow supporting your back so you lie a little more upright.
DON’T: DRINK ALCOHOL & SMOKE
Don’t use alcohol in the first week after treatment because of the risk of post-treatment bleeding.
The results are better if you also stop smoking after the procedure. Nicotine constricts blood vessels and interferes with wound healing. This also applies to the use of nicotine patches and gum.
Two weeks after your breast augmentation: what to do and what not to do
After about 10 to 14 days, you’ll feel a lot better! After two weeks, you’ll come for a check-up at MOOI Clinic. Right after surgery the skin and especially the pectoral muscle still need to stretch, so the new breast will not have its final shape at first. After two weeks, the muscle is stretched enough and the breast will be fuller and more beautiful.
SUTURES
After two weeks, the stitches will be removed and you’ll be given instructions on aftercare and/or massaging the scars.
Two weeks after your breast augmentation, you’re allowed to do a little more again, but by no means everything!
YOU MAY DO THIS AGAIN:
- Driving
- Depending on your occupation, you may start working again
- Walking and gentle movements with your arms
- If your recovery goes well, you may fly again after 2 weeks
YOU MAY NOT DO THIS YET:
- Sports
- Taking off your sports bra (permanently) without consultation
- Heavy lifting or strenuous physical activity
- Tanning or sunbed
Six weeks after your breast augmentation: recovered?
After six weeks, you’re usually well recovered from the surgery. The swelling has gone down considerably and the scars are healing nicely. Most people can fully resume their normal lives after 6 weeks.
DO: SPORTS
Exercise is good for your body and after all those weeks of not exercising, maybe it’s also time to get back in shape? Fortunately, after 6 weeks, you can return to sports. Fitness, swimming, cycling, running, if it feels good and you experience no pain then you can just start doing this. Some sports you may be better off not doing after breast augmentation because there is a chance of damaging your breast implants. Think of martial arts where you can be hit hard on your chest.
DO: SLEEP THE WAY YOU WANT
After six weeks, you may also sleep as you wish again. Sleeping on your stomach might be a little different now that you have new breasts.
Final check-up and result
After about 3 months, you will come for a final check-up at MOOI Clinic. The timeframes listed for recovery are averages and can vary greatly from person to person. Your new breast looks natural and feels smooth only after a few months. However, the final shape of the new breast depends greatly on the amount and shape of your own breast tissue. As for scars, they may take longer to become less visible. Scars begin to turn from red to purple sometime between 6 and 12 months, eventually turning pale and becoming almost invisible. Protect scars from UV radiation.
BREAST EXAMINATION
Screening for breast cancer can be performed normally after breast surgery, as well as having a mammogram; however taking and reviewing a mammogram x-ray is complicated.
With breast implants, we recommend doing breast cancer screening tests in the hospital.
Do you have any doubts about your situation, as to whether or not you should be allowed to do something? Then contact us!
