How To: Look After Your Breasts Following Surgery
The excitement of having new breasts can be a monumental time in many women’s lives. Whether it has been a long time coming or a recent insecurity fixed, breast augmentation can be a life-changing surgery for many. Amongst the excitement, caring for your breasts post-surgery is crucial to ensure an uncomplicated recovery whilst healing the best way possible.
We spoke to consultant plastic and cosmetic surgeon Mr Adrian Richards about his top tips for looking after your breasts, as well as his personal recommendations on suitable products to speed up the healing process!
Home-time preparations
Most surgeries require you to stay overnight at the hospital, however, after a breast augmentation at my clinic, patients can leave five hours later! Thanks to the developments in modern medicine, local anaesthetic and adrenaline reduces bleeding and allows the recovery process to be quicker. I use Tiva, a general anaesthetic, at my clinic which means patients don’t feel sick after waking up and are in minimal pain.
I advise my patients to be chaperoned home and looked after by someone post-surgery – no public transport is to be taken as patients are slowly recovering from the anaesthetics. I recommend this for my patients as an external person can help with any carrying or activities which requires lifting the arms. If the patient lives far away from the clinic, I suggest staying locally overnight. However, if you are planning on having surgery abroad, be prepared to stay locally for six weeks in case of complications. Antibiotics are prescribed for five days post-surgery to reduce the risk of infection.
Take it easy
After a breast augmentation, patients tend to experience swollen and achy breasts as common symptoms, rather than full body pain. If it’s too uncomfortable, I prescribe Co-dydramol which contains codeine along with antibiotics. Paracetamol is to be taken if needed.
I advise my patients to sleep on their backs to avoid added pressure. Obviously, people tend to move around whilst sleeping which I don’t see as a problem for recovery but do try to ensure you don’t sleep on your side or front.
After surgery, patients wake up in a surgical bra with micropore tape over the scar. From day two, patients will be able to wash normally but try to avoid getting the tape too wet. Also, remember to take it easy! It’s important to keep your blood circulating around your body by going for short walks but avoid anything too strenuous which can cause your heart rate to rise. Some patients say they feel ‘blue on day two’ and this is because they are so pleased when they wake up and feel invincible, but the next day, discomfort begins to kick in along with the tiredness from surgery, so I recommend taking a week off to recover fully!
I advise wearing compression stockings for the first week to prevent blood clots from developing as well as a supportive bra or compression vest. My top suggestions for compression bras include: Macom compression garments, Lipoelastic, and Voe Compression by Recova. After a week, my patients receive a follow-up appointment to make sure their breasts are recovering well.
Banish your scars
At the six-week appointment, my patients are assessed once more. Breasts are sisters, not twins, but if they begin to look like distant relatives, then patients are to notify their surgeon. The stitches I use dissolve so there is no removal, but your surgeon may differ from this, and stitches may need to be removed. The scar is usually 3-4cm and hidden in the inframammary fold at this point, which means the recovery is slowly progressing.
After six weeks, I advise patients to begin caring for their scars as these have been covered with tape to support the tissue and prevent it from widening. At six weeks, the tape is removed, and scar reduction products should be applied to the scars to assist with fading. My top scarring products to apply to your breasts include Kelo-Cote topical silicone gel, Prosil silicone scar stick, Lipoelastic scar sheets and Cica-Care silicone gel sheets. Scars will usually fade over time, but some scarring can still remain, so be patient!
Check your breasts!
You should always be giving your breasts the support they need post-surgery. Even after your six-week appointment, bras should continue to be worn during the day. We know that bras can start to be uncomfortable after a while, but they support the breasts so they don’t sag over time. At my clinic, a check-up appointment is given every year free of charge, to assess scarring, symmetry and the overall look and feel of the breasts. If you experience any complications, at my clinic we have a 24-hour hotline with experienced nurses on call. Complications can vary from trouble breathing, redness and warmth in the area to more serious issues such as rotation of the implant and infection, rupture and nerve damage, in which case patients should contact their surgeon immediately. All surgeries come with risks, so it’s important to be aware of them. Patients are usually diligent in checking their breasts for any abnormalities or lumps before surgery so keep checking them regularly to notice any unusual signs. Don’t forget, it’s important to get to know your breasts again post-surgery and discover what the new ‘normal’ is for you and your breasts. Having new breasts is an exciting investment for many women, so ensure you give them the TLC they deserve!