What to Expect When Having Breast Augmentation
Anesthesia: General. You will sleep during the entire procedure.
Location of Operation: Hospital or outpatient surgery center.
Length of Surgery: 1 hour.
Length of Stay: Breast augmentation is done on an outpatient basis.
Discomfort: Initial discomfort is well controlled with oral medications including pain relievers and muscle relaxants. For below muscle augmentation use the muscle relaxer Flexeril for 10 days and the pain medication Vicodin as needed. For above muscle augmentation, usually Darvocet or Celebrex are prescribed for minimal pain.
Swelling and Bruising: There is minimal swelling and bruising. Swelling tends to be more with a larger implant, but disappears quickly. Avoid purchasing new bras for 3 weeks to allow swelling to resolve and implants to settle.
Antibiotics: Will be prescribed for 10 days after surgery.
Bandages: The initial dressing is a 6-inch elastic Ace wrap used to compress the breasts. The day after surgery, this wrap is removed only by Dr. Hainer or one of his staff. You will then be given a cotton bra to wear the first 2-3 weeks. An additional bandage called a Bandeau will also be provided to help push the implants down and help them settle. This Bandeau is to be worn the first week day and night, as is the bra. Once the post-op ace wrap dressing is removed showering is allowed. No tub baths for 3 weeks.
Stitches: Stitches are dissolvable and are covered initially by paper steri-strips.
Work: For sub-muscular augmentations, off work time is usually 3-4 days unless work entails manual activity. If your job requires lifting or other upper-body activity, job modification may be required.
Exercise: Aerobic activities can be resumed at one week. To allow for implant settling, upper body exercises, upper body weight training, and swimming are restricted for the first 4-6 weeks. Routine lifting and childcare is allowed. A support bra or tailored-cup sports bra should be worn during exercise.
Sun Protection: Scars should be protected from sun exposure for 1 year with at least sunscreen SPF 15 or higher to prevent permanent discoloration.
Final Result: Results are obvious immediately, will be near complete by 3 months; with final scar quality reached at 1 year. The breasts will have a natural contour and feel by 3-4 weeks.
Special Care: For sub-muscular augmentation, an implant massage protocol should be started at the end of the first week. These massages should be done 3-4 times daily the first 6 weeks and then once daily thereafter. A massage sheet is provided to you. No massage is done the first week due to discomfort and swelling. You are also encouraged to sleep or lay on your chest after the first week. This pressure will also help soften the breasts. In some cases, sloshing or gurgling can be felt or even heard particularly during massage. This is simply some trapped air around the implants, which typically resolves in 2-4 weeks and is completely normal. For sub-glandular augmentation, once daily massage is started one week after surgery to maintain the softness of the breasts. NO SMOKING IS RECOMMENDED!!!! If you smoke, it is best to stop 4 weeks prior to and at least 4 weeks after surgery for adequate healing.
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