The main conditions for a quick recovery after breast augmentation are moral preparation, strict adherence to the doctor's recommendations and a positive attitude. The rules and restrictions that surgeons must adhere to will reduce the risk of unwanted consequences, and drug therapy will alleviate the condition and improve the outcome.
Possible complications
Complications caused by wound infection can appear in 1-2 weeks: increased swelling, severe pain, fever.
In patients suffering from a bleeding disorder, in the first 3 weeks they allow physical activity or take off the compression underwear, hematomas appear.
Injury to the glands, load of the pleural girdle, running, flexion can cause rotation, rotation of the implant.
In women with a lack of glandular and adipose tissue, visualization, probing of the endoprosthesis, wrinkling (skin ripple) is possible. These defects are corrected by lipofilling.
After 3 - 12 months, the following are diagnosed:
- capsular contracture (hardening of the fibrous membrane);
- asymmetry of glands, nipples;
- stagnation of lymphatic fluid (seroma);
- hypertrophic keloid scars;
- anaplastic lymphoma (about 100 cases / 1 million operations).
History of the recovery period
The complexity and duration of rehabilitation depend on the degree of complexity of the mammoplasty. After a simple augmentation with implants, women heal faster and easier than with a complex endoprosthesis combined with a facelift, the removal of excess tissue.
The postoperative wound heals in 5-7 days. Implants take root within 8-10 weeks. A new breast forms up to six months. To check the dynamics of wound healing, to identify complications, the surgeon conducts scheduled examinations.
The result of the operation of 30% depends on the experience and knowledge of the doctor. 70% of the result is formed by the correct behavior of the patient. A woman should know how to behave, which sensations are the norm and which are a deviation.
First postoperative week
The first day the patient is in intensive care. The effects of anesthesia are felt: weakness, drowsiness, nausea. Pain in the chest area is dull in nature. To alleviate the condition, analgesics are prescribed. By the end of the first day they can walk. On the second day they issue an extract.
The first 3 - 6 days are the norm:
- increase in temperature to 37. 9 degrees;
- a feeling of tension, fullness in the mammary glands (the greater the volume of the endoprosthesis, the stronger the sensations);
- edema, hematomas (the appearance of new hematomas, an increase in the size of the edema is an alarming symptom);
- loss of skin sensation in the nipple area, lower pole.
A compression bra is required. It is impossible to remove underwear for 30-45 days even at night. You must show up for dressings on the days specified by your doctor. It is forbidden to raise your hands, sleep on your side and stomach, take a bath, lift objects weighing more than a couple of kg.
Second postoperative week
From the 6th day, the pain and discomfort disappear. The sutures are removed on the 7-10th day. The swelling persists, invisible under the linen.
The chest pleases with the volume. Women can engage in non-physical jobs, carry out simple household chores.
In order for the implant to maintain the correct position for a month after breast augmentation, it is impossible:
- walking, sleeping without compression underwear;
- lie on your stomach, on the sides;
- lean forward, downward;
- jump and run, load the shoulder girdle, press;
- weght lifting;
- overheat.
One month after surgery
After 4 - 6 weeks, the swelling of the glands is little noticeable or disappears. There is itching, tingling, mild pain in the scar area.
Women lead normal lives: go to bed without underwear, take a hot bath, go for long walks. The compression bandage, with the permission of the doctor, is replaced with an underwire bra, a sports top.
Yoga and Pilates classes are allowed. At home they do a light warm-up, avoiding the movements that cause pain and discomfort. Loads on the legs are not contraindicated. The mammary glands must be protected from shocks, pressure, shaking. Still cannot overheat, sunbathe, fly.
More than a month after implant placement
Most restrictions are removed after 60-75 days. During this period, a capsule is formed, the pectoral muscles adapt to the endoprosthesis. The risk of displacement, coup of the plants is reduced.
From the third month it is allowed to sleep on your stomach, relax in the sauna, on the beach, take a bath. You can pump up the press, do inclines, exercise, healthy walking on the street or a treadmill. The doctor will allow jogging, jumping in 4 - 5 months, loads of power - in six months.
You can play sports in the first year only with a tight sports top. Traumatization of the gland should be avoided for the entire period of use of the implant.
Medicines, drugs, diet to shorten the rehabilitation period
In the first week, patients come to the clinic to get dressed, then take care of their breasts themselves. The doctor prescribes:
- antibacterial and antifungal therapy (7-10 days);
- antiseptics for the treatment of seams (bright green solution, iodine, antiseptic solutions for 15-20 days).
When the scabs come off, the scars are smeared with healing agents. Depending on the stage of healing, surgeons recommend anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial ointments.
When buying bras, you need to choose models with wide straps, deep cups. To make the breasts heal faster, include a large amount of protein foods in the diet: fish, poultry, cottage cheese. Eat fresh fruits and vegetables, dishes on jelly (aspic, jelly), containing zinc, peanuts, pine nuts, beans.
Frequently asked questions, answers to them
I want to decide on the operation, but don't know what to expect?
You will see the aesthetic result on the monitor screen after 3D modeling. After the procedure, the pain is insignificant, the discomfort is felt in the first 5 days. If you follow the restrictions, process the seams correctly, in a couple of months you will be able to admire the new forms, forgetting about the operation.
Do bad habits (smoking, alcohol) affect the rehabilitation process?
The use of alcohol, nicotine causes vasospasm, which leads to an insufficient supply of oxygen to the tissues. After each cigarette, the vessels remain constricted for up to 90 minutes. In patients who smoke, drink alcohol, rejection, tissue necrosis occurs three times more often.
I go to the gym quite often. Are there any restrictions?
You can go to the gym from the fifth week, but you will have to limit yourself to walking on treadmills, exercises for the press, leg muscles. Yoga, Pilates are allowed. Track running, dumbbell exercises are available after 4-6 months. Professional bodybuilding and weight lifting are prohibited for women with implants placed under the pectoral muscle.
Sex is important to me. Is it possible to have an active sex life during rehabilitation?
In the first three or five days, discomfort, pain do not contribute to the awakening of sexual desires. From the end of the first week, you can and should have sex. It is necessary to protect the chest from pressure, shaking. Choose the positions where the man is behind, place your hands on a solid support to reduce the sway of the body and have fun.
Can you tell us about the rules of rest after surgery?
Your doctor recommends resting in a semi-sitting position for the first three days. For 20-30 days you can only sleep on your back.
I cannot find on the Internet a detailed description of the implementation of hygiene procedures during the rehabilitation period. Can you give me an advice?
It is allowed to take a shower for 3-4 days. The water temperature is 36 degrees. The seam can be wet, but you can not touch it with your hands, a towel. Use baby soap, neutral pH gel. After the bath, it is necessary to treat the scar with an antiseptic, apply a bandage, put on compression underwear. After 30 days, a hot bath is allowed.
My job involves frequent business trips. Is it possible to use air transport often?
The ban on air travel is lifted after 90 days. The frequency of flights is not limited.