Recovering From Your Surgery Breast Augmentation Recovery Oklahoma City

CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE RAPID RECOVERY PROTOCOL

At Jones Plastic Surgery, we have learned that the aesthetics of a woman’s breast can greatly affect her confidence and body image, and experience and evidence have shown Breast Augmentation to be a very effective method for addressing this.  In addition, breast Augmentation is a procedure with a history of very high satisfaction with a very low complication rate and usually an easy recovery.

Despite the above, many women are fearful of the recovery process from Breast Augmentation.  As a result, we feel it is extremely important to not only employ advanced techniques in a state of the art facility, but also thoroughly educate patients of what to expect and how to care for themselves both before and after surgery.  This comprehensive approach aids to make recovery from breast augmentation as easy as possible with as little risk as possible.

Prior to Surgery

At Jones Plastic Surgery in Oklahoma City, OK, we feel the recovery process from breast augmentation begins prior to surgery. This process begins with proper nutrition at this time and stopping medications or supplements that can be harmful.  Our common recommendations to help prepare you for surgery include:

• taking Vitamin A, C, and Zinc supplements to aid in future healing
• stopping smoking and all nicotine products that can interfere with healing
• stopping weight loss medications as they can interfere with anesthesia and healing
• eating a nutritious diet with adequate calories and protein to enhance healing
• stopping blood thinners such as aspirin and ibuprofen (as possible) to limit bleeding
• stopping birth control or estrogen supplementation to limit the risk of blood clots
• discussing all medical conditions with Dr. Jones and staff so they can be managed appropriately prior to surgery or the surgical plan adjusted as needed
• stopping any muscle building of the pectoralis muscles (if planning on a submuscular technique)
• stopping many herbals and supplements as many of their effects on healing and anesthesia are unknown (discuss with staff)

Immediately After Surgery

At Jones Plastic Surgery, you will undergo your breast augmentation procedure in a fully accredited surgical facility.  Dr. Jones will employ advanced techniques with optimal results, limited risk, and rapid recovery a focus.  Immediately afterwards, you will be transported to our recovery room where your recovery process will begin.  Here you will remain for an average of one hour while you are monitored by a Registered Nurse.  When you have passed protocol for discharge, you will be allowed to go home or to where you have chosen to recover for the night of surgery (within 30 minutes of our facility).  You must be with a responsible adult at all times.

Common experiences for the night of surgery:

• Many patients have the feeling of a ‘tight’ chest/breasts
• the breasts commonly look high and small
• Pain varies, but is usually very manageable and more of a soreness/tightness for most
• It is common to hear or feel fluid and/or air around the implants
• You will be wearing a post-surgical compression bra and will have gauze covering your incisions
• You will commonly take an oral antibiotic and oral pain pills
• Most patients will begin icing their breasts (20 minutes every couple hours)
• Most patients will begin anti-inflammatory medication (ibuprofen)
• Most patients will begin gentle upper breast massage
• You are encouraged to be up and around as you feel able, but DO NOT OVER DO IT.  

Many patients feel perfectly fine and normal almost immediately other than some tightness or soreness.  Some go out to dinner, etc.  (of course this varies)

CLICK TO VIEW THE POSTOPERATIVE SUGGESTIONS AND GUIDELINES

Early Recovery from Breast Augmentation

At Jones Plastic Surgery, Dr. Jones sees all breast augmentation patients the day after surgery.  During this visit, he will answer any questions you have, as well as examine you.  He will also review your instructions for care, as well as limitations of activity.

On this visit:

• you will view your breasts without a bra and the tape (steri strips) covering your incisions. Dr. Jones will answer any questions about your breasts and recovery.
• Dr. Jones will review with you the care of your dressings and incisions
• you may shower 48 hrs after surgery and then pat the strips dry and take a blow dryer to them on the cool setting to assure dryness.  Then place clean gauze between the bra and tape.
• Dr. Jones will also teach you the massages for your breasts usually 3 massages performed 3 times a day, 10 reps each, to begin on postoperative day 3 (see video)
• Dr. Jones will also review your limitations at this point:
• do not work up a sweat or get your heart rate or blood pressure up for the next 2-3 weeks (until further notified)
• limit any activity or motion that will stress your chest muscles or incisions (ex. reaching high above your head or behind you)
• do not lift greater than 10 lbs (Dr. Jones will teach you how to lift/hold your ‘little ones’.
• do not operate machinery (including a vehicle) until you have finished taking narcotics and you feel you can operate the machinery safely and appropriately
• wear a soft, stretchy bra similar to your postop bra that does not irritate your incisions

Common experience at this point:

• many patients are able to stop narcotic pain pills in the next day or two and take only Ibuprofen and Tylenol (not ALL patients, which is normal and ok)
• breasts are commonly tight and high (can take 2-3 months to soften and settle-varies)
• very common to have tingling pain and numbness at this point (usually resolves)
• many patients resume normal leisurely activity
• minor differences in breast swelling and shape are very normal at this time
• patients are commonly concerned that breasts look small
• a small amount of blood on the dressings happens on occasion and is ok
• bruising does not usually occur, but does in some patients and is usually ok
• some patients will experience shooting pain from nerves stretching
• dry skin can be very normal from the stretching and surgical solutions

2-3 Weeks after Surgery

By this time, most patients are feeling back to normal and are ‘itching’ to do more. At this visit, Dr. Jones will again examine you and answer any questions you may have.  He will also review your massages and check to see how your implants are beginning to move.  As before, you will also review you instructions for care and limitations of activity.

On this visit:

• examine breasts for softness, implant position, mobility, etc.
• will remove dressings and examine incisions and review incision care-if any
• may commonly be able to begin using scar creams at this time
• will review breast massages
• will again review activity restrictions
• you may commonly resume low impact exercise at this time.  This includes a stationary bicycle, walking, low impact leg exercises, an elliptical without using the arms, etc.  You may work up a sweat and get your heart rate and blood pressure up, but no jogging, running, pectoralis exercises or any exercises that will stress your incisions.  Still be careful lifting greater than 10 lbs.
• will review the type of bra you can wear (commonly still a soft, stretchy bra, but with more options like a bralette or spaghetti strap cami, etc. as directed by Dr. Jones)
• answer any questions

Common experience at 2-3 weeks after breast augmentation:

• Many patients will be pain free at this time and will have a hard time limiting their activity (but it is very important to still be careful)
• Some patients can still feel that their breasts are small and tight and high (or boxy)
• pain or soreness can still be common - especially shooting pains on occasion or point tenderness
• feeling or hearing fluid can still be very normal
• numbness can still be very normal
• some patient’s dressings fall off on their own at this time.  Please notify Dr. Jones if this occurs.  This is very normal, but we want to know so we can asses your incision asap
• noticeable swelling has usually mostly resolved

6 Weeks after Surgery

By 6 weeks after surgery, most patients are more than ready to do whatever they are allowed.  Many patients have settled and softened as much as they would like and are just wondering if they have any more restrictions and what bras they can wear to maintain their result.  Some still need to settle and soften more, which is very normal.  As with your other visits, Dr. Jones will examine you closely and answer all questions and review your restrictions.

On this visit:

• examine breasts for softness, implant position, mobility, etc.
• will again examine incisions and review incision care-if any
• will review breast massages (commonly reduce massages at this visit)
• will again review activity restrictions
• you may usually resume all activity at this time, but pectoralis muscle exercises are discouraged for patients with submuscular silicone breast implants
• will review the type of bra you can wear (may be able to wear more supportive bras at this time depending upon implant position)
• answer any questions

3 Months after Surgery

By 3 months after surgery most patients feel completely normal and ‘recovered’. Most patients implants have settled completely (or almost completely) and are in a good position.  There are usually no activity restrictions and many patients have been exercising for over a month.  This visit is commonly a review of how things have gone and education for the future.

On this visit:

• examine breasts for softness, implant position, mobility, etc.
• will again examine incisions and review incision care-if any
• will review breast massages (commonly reduce massages again at this visit and educate for lifetime implant care)
• will again review activity recommendations
• some patients are discouraged from pectoralis building exercises depending upon their body type and implant position
• will review the type of bra you should wear and if you should sleep in a bra
• answer any questions
• will commonly take postop photos, which are emailed upon request
• will schedule one year postop visit, or others as necessary

One Year Postop

For most patients, one year after surgery is very similar to three months postop.  The breasts are commonly soft and most patients are very comfortable with them by now.  Many women state that their breasts now feel ‘like their own’ and they have settled into what bras they like, etc.  By now most incisions have faded nicely and any swelling that may have been present still at three months is gone.  This visit is a good time to review the care of implants going forward and to answer any questions.  It is possible to still have numbness and tingling at this time and this may still improve. 

Contact us today to schedule your consultation.

2-3 Weeks After Surgery

• examine breasts for softness, implant position, mobility, etc.
• will again examine incisions and review incision care-if any
• will review breast massages (commonly reduce massages at this visit)
• will again review activity restrictions
• you may usually resume all activity at this time, but pectoralis muscle exercises
• are discouraged for patients with submuscular silicone breast implants
• will review the type of bra you can wear (may be able to wear more supportive bras at this time depending upon implant position)
• answer any questions
• Many patients will be pain free at this time and will have a hard time limiting their activity (but it is very important to still be careful)
• Some patients can still feel that their breasts are small and tight and high (or boxy)
• pain or soreness can still be common - especially shooting pains on occasion or point tenderness
• feeling or hearing fluid can still be very normal
• numbness can still be very normal
• some patient’s dressings fall off on their own at this time.  Please notify Dr. Jones if this occurs.  This is very normal, but we want to know so we can asses your incision asap
• noticeable swelling has usually mostly resolved