Post Op Instructions for Breast Augmentation

Immediately Following Surgery

You will be transferred to a recovery room, where a team of medical professionals will monitor your condition. As you gradually wake up from your anesthesia, you will likely feel achy and groggy and may experience some nausea.

Typically, you can go home a few hours after your surgery, but you must have someone available to drive you. Before you leave, your surgeon will wrap your breasts with a bra or another type of elastic support garment. Do not engage in even moderate physical activity, make important decisions, or sign documents for at least 24 hours. Take it easy. Your body has been through a lot. You will have some soreness and significant swelling for two to three weeks. This is normal and is no cause for concern.

Medication

Your doctor will prescribe medications to address issues such as pain, swelling, infection prevention, and muscle cramping.

If you are aware that you are allergic to certain medications, tell your doctor. If you experience hives or itching after taking a medication, you are likely having an allergic reaction. Call your doctor immediately.

Take your meds exactly as directed, and always remember to take pain medication with food. The combination of your medication and decreased physical activity can cause constipation. You can purchase an over-the-counter stool softener if needed.

No Aspirin

Do not take aspirin or similar medications such as Motrin, Advil, and ibuprofen for at least four weeks following your surgery, as they can promote bleeding.

Used as directed, Tylenol is a good option for pain management.

Diet

You’ll be restricted to clear liquids and a soft, light diet the day of your surgery.

You can resume your regular diet the following day but cut way down on salt, which causes water retention and can increase swelling.

Bathing and Hygiene

You can resume showering as usual 48 hours following your surgery. But stay out of bathtubs, hot tubs, swimming pools, and steam rooms for at least two weeks, if not longer.

Sleep

To promote optimal healing, you will be directed to sleep on your back rather than on your stomach or sides for several weeks.

Post-op Bras/Support Garments

These garments are designed to maximize your post-surgical comfort, but they also provide stability, improve circulation, and help promote proper lymph drainage.

You will be required to wear a bra for at least six weeks after surgery. After that, you may transition to an underwire bra.

Swelling

It is normal for your breasts to swell significantly following your breast augmentation.

This swelling may make your breasts appear asymmetrical for a while, but they will become more even as your swelling subsides.

Breast Augmentation Patient With Curly Hair Post Op

Stitches and Scars

If your surgical stitches are dissolvable, they will not need to be removed. If small pieces of specialized tape were used in your procedure, they can be removed in 14 days.

Non-dissolvable stitches are usually removed within five to ten days following your surgery. For about six weeks, your scars will appear pink and firm. It will take at least six months for your scars to fade and flatten. Remember that while your scars will never completely disappear, your surgeon will have made your incisions minimal in number and small in size and will have placed them discreetly in “camouflaged” locations.

Incision Site Care

Two days after your surgery, begin washing with antibacterial soap and water three times a day. Always wash your hands thoroughly before touching your incision sites.

Keep the area surrounding your incisions moisturized with Vaseline or Aquaphor. Check your incision sites for smelly drainage, deep redness, warmth, or swelling, any or all of which may indicate infection. Your doctor will recommend a scar treatment program that you may start two to six weeks after your breast augmentation as determined by your medical staff.

Breast Massage

Starting four days following your surgery, and continuing for two months, begin massaging your breasts for five minutes, three times a day.

Place one hand on your breast, then use your other hand to apply a downward over-pressure. Move your hands side to side and then upward.

Activity

For two weeks, less is more—no lifting (even groceries) for at least a week.

After two weeks, you can resume light exercise—such as slow walking on a treadmill. Wait an additional four weeks before ramping up to more vigorous activity. Avoid sit-ups for a month and no push-ups or other pectoral exercises for nine months.

Driving

You must wait until you are no longer taking prescription pain medication and you can sit comfortably behind the wheel.

Make sure you are able to perform all motions necessary for safe driving.

Tanning

You may resume tanning two weeks following surgery, but cover your incision sites with sunscreen for two months.

Failure to do that can make your scars darker and more noticeable.

Smoking

Now would be a pretty good opportunity to stop.

In any case, don’t smoke for two weeks following your breast augmentation.

When to Call Your Doctor

If you have continuous or heavy bleeding
If you have difficulty breathing
If you have a fever or chills
If you have continual nausea or vomiting
If you have excessive drainage from your surgical area

Breast Augmentation Patient Dressed In Grey Sweater Post Op

Sexual Activity

You may resume sexual activity, as long as it’s comfortable, usually about three weeks after your surgery.

Follow-up Appointments

Your surgeon will schedule one or more follow-up visits. Keep those appointments and bring a list of any questions or concerns you may have.

Breast Augmentation Home Care Plastic Surgeons of Akron

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