Breast Enlargement (Breast Augmentation)

Post-Operative Instructions

For the first two days, you will spend most of your time resting in bed. You may be up and out of bed and to the bathroom. You may experience much less discomfort than you expected, but will probably want mild pain medication such as Tylenol. For patients with implants placed under the muscle, stronger medication will be available if you need it.

By the third day you will be up and walking around. When you get up out of bed, try rolling on your side toward the edge of the bed and bring your knees up to your waist. Move your legs over the side of the bed and gently help yourself up by pushing up with your elbows. The idea is to let your legs do most of the work so your arms can rest. When you shower, gently wash your stitch line with mild soap, then apply a thin layer of a mild antibiotic ointment such as Bacitracin. If Steristrips or tape are in place, you can remove them if they become loose by gently pulling along the line of the incision rather than across it.

By the third or fourth day you may be bored and possibly a bit depressed. This is perfectly normal at this point when the mind is active but the body still requires rest. You are also probably anxious to see the final result of your surgery, but you must be patient. As your swelling resolves, your new body will emerge. For now, keep your mind off your appearance by reading, watching television, or doing light projects.

Most patients are driving by the fifth to sixth day, and return to work or school in one to two weeks, depending on the level of activity required and the rate of recovery. When implants are placed above the muscle, soreness and discomfort usually resolve in five to seven days. With under the muscle placement, resolution takes about twice as long.

By two weeks, half of the swelling is resolved, three-quarters by one month, and the remainder in three to six months. Eighty percent of our patients retain the same degree of nipple sensation after swelling has resolved. Ten percent experience an increase and ten percent a decrease in sensation. Any change following surgery may be temporary; resolution can occur over several weeks to several months. Although breast feeding is desirable for infants, it can have an effect on the operated breast, sometimes resulting in size reduction, implant firmness, and discomfort. This should be considered before a decision is made about breast enlargement and subsequent pregnancy and nursing.

It is only logical to assume that implants, like caps on the teeth, may eventually need to be replaced. Many of our patients have remarked that even if they had to undergo replacement surgery every ten years or so, the improvement in their appearance warrants the financial investment and any inconvenience involved.

BREAST SURGERY POSTOP INSTRUCTIONS

1. If you experience discomfort, cover your skin with a small washcloth, then place a very light ice bag (a baggie half filled with ice chips, for instance) on any sore area, ten minutes on and ten minutes off.
    
2. If you are uncomfortable with a snug dressing, your assistant can loosen it by cutting it halfway down the back. If you are wearing a tight-fitting bra, it can be loosened or unbuttoned while you are lying down and rebuttoned when you get up.
    
3. Be sure that you have assistance getting out of bed the first day. Here is a simple method:
   Roll partially toward your side of the bed. Bring your legs up towards your waist and let them slide off the side of the bed. Have someone push you up at the center of your back or gently help yourself up with your hands and arms up to your elbows, but limit the tension and movement on your armpit and shoulders. With feet on the floor, shift weight to feet and balance the body weight to stand erect.
    
4. It is not unusual for your breasts to look swollen and "high" for a few weeks until the swelling resolves.
    
5. Numbness or extreme sensitivity of the skin or nipple can occur. This will usually disappear anywhere from a few days to as long as a few months after surgery.
    
6. For five to seven days, your arms may be moved "in slow motion" to the point of discomfort—then stop. Do not rapidly reach or stretch.
    
7. The following conditions should be reported to our office immediately:
   1. Dressings that feel much too tight.
   2. One breast much more swollen or painful than the other.
       
8. A light bra should be worn during the day for comfort. If wearing a bra is uncomfortable, then discontinue it until you are able to comfortably wear one. Do not use bras with metal stays for six weeks.
    
9. If your breasts sit high, then you should go without a bra until they settle (two to four weeks).
    
10. You may experience some numbness after surgery. This is due to swelling and some slight stretching of the sensory nerves. You may notice some mild shooting discomfort for up to three months, along with some itchiness or extra sensitivity for a few weeks. This is due to the nerve fibers becoming alive and responsive again. Your oral Vitamin E will help.
     
11. You will be seen in the office a few days after surgery, and the following week for suture removal. Two weeks after surgery the final pull-out suture is removed. The doctor will check you yearly year post op.
     
12. No smoking for two weeks.
     

A Note on Satisfaction and Dissatisfaction

It is important that you work with the doctor to establish realistic appearance goals. More than seventy items contribute to a surgical result. With aesthetic surgery, good results are nearly always achieved. When you are willing to reserve final judgment for a period of six months to a year, our results are usually excellent and unparalleled.

Beautiful paintings and sculptures by world-renowned artists always have small imperfections, but these are rarely scrutinized. Instead, one sees the overall beauty and mastery of the art. In order to remain natural looking, cosmetic surgery will result in small imperfections when closely scrutinized. To avoid these, the doctor would have to use techniques such as pulling your skin tight enough to distort the features. Instead, we utilize an artistic approach while maintaining your safety. We strive for a youthful, yet natural look—the mark of an artist.

Click Here for More Pre & Post-Op Instructions