Like many other people, you might want breast implants to make your chest area larger and boost your confidence. However, this is a surgical procedure, and after it comes rest and recovery.
During the recovery period, it’s normal to feel discomfort and pain, as well as bruising and swelling. The swelling can be particularly uncomfortable, especially since it can impede your daily life.
Before you go for surgery, here are a few tips to reduce swelling after breast augmentation. Not only can implementing these tips increase your comfort, but they can help you feel faster too. We’ll also give you a ballpark range of how long you can expect the swelling to last.
How Long Does Swelling Last After Breast Augmentation Surgery?
The initial, most noticeable swelling will last around one to two weeks, although every patient’s body and situation may differ.
As the healing process goes on, the majority of the swelling should be gone after a few months. Your implants will “drop and fluff,” meaning they’ll settle and soften, resulting in a more natural look and feel. This can take up to six months to happen fully.
Now that you understand how long it can last, let’s go over how to reduce swelling after breast augmentation surgery.
Follow All Post-Operative Instructions
It’s of the utmost importance to follow all post-operative instructions given by your plastic surgeon. They’ll have specific aftercare guidelines, which may vary from patient to patient, depending on their circumstances.
If you follow these instructions down to the last detail, then it’ll ensure proper healing. As a result, this will minimize complications, including swelling.
Wear Your Compression Garment
Your surgeon should’ve given you a compression garment to wear after your procedure. This device puts pressure on the area, which prevents fluid from building up and causing swelling. In addition, it improves your circulation and supports the healing tissue, so make sure you wear it as directed.
Over time, as the swelling goes down, the compression garment may become too loose. If this happens, get a new compression garment from your surgeon that’s smaller and tighter.
Elevate Your Upper Body
The effects of gravity can cause swelling, as fluids will accumulate in a downward fashion. So fight against this by elevating your upper body as best as you can.
Sleep on your back with your upper body elevated by either using an adjustable bed or pillows. This will reduce fluid accumulation in the chest area and encourage drainage. And a bonus is that you’ll strain your breasts less.
Stay Hydrated
Some people mistakenly think that if you drink water, it’ll cause more swelling. However, it has the opposite effect!
You should drink plenty of water to flush out excess fluids, which can then reduce inflammation. Also, avoid caffeine and alcohol since both can dehydrate you and worsen the swelling.
Use Cold Compresses
Get yourself some cold or ice packs, and wrap them in a cloth to avoid hurting your skin. In the first two days after your surgery, apply the packs to your chest for short periods, such as 15-20 minutes at a time.
These cold compresses can reduce swelling and inflammation. And if you’re in pain, they can numb the area and lessen your discomfort too.
Take Prescribed Medications
Your plastic surgeon may have prescribed you medications that can help with post-breast augmentation swelling and pain. Make sure you only take them as directed; if they’re not helping as much as you’d like them to, then contact your surgeon to discuss other options.
Try and refrain from taking over-the-counter (OTC) medications not approved by your doctor as well. Even though they don’t require prescriptions, it’s still ideal to clear OTC medications with your surgeon to avoid unpleasant side effects or complications.
Avoid Smoking and Nicotine Products
Your surgeon will ask you to stop smoking and using nicotine products at least a month before your surgery. Afterward, you shouldn’t pick it back up immediately, as you’re still healing.
Nicotine can delay healing and prolong your discomfort since it’s a vasoconstrictor. This means that it reduces healthy blood flow, which is needed for healing. It can add to the swelling too.
Move Around Gently
You’ll be advised to avoid strenuous activities for a while; heavy lifting and exercises can tear your incisions.
However, you shouldn’t stay bedridden either. Try and do light activities, such as short walks, as they can improve your blood circulation and prevent fluid buildup. If you push yourself too hard though, it may backfire, and the swelling will get worse.
Maintain a Healthy Diet
Doing everything you can to be healthy can aid the healing process, and in turn, it can reduce breast augmentation swelling. One way you can do this is by eating a wholesome diet.
There are several foods that fight inflammation you can eat, such as green leafy vegetables, fatty fish, and certain fruits (i.e. strawberries and blueberries). Stay away from junk food and reduce your salt intake; salt can cause water retention and add to the swelling.
Be Patient
Ultimately, swelling after surgery is normal and can take weeks or even months to fully disappear. Keep an eye out for excessive swelling though, as well as redness or warmth, since these are indicative of issues like infection.
If you notice any of the above symptoms, you should contact your surgeon immediately. Otherwise, you should have regular check-ups with them to ensure that you’re properly healing.
Use These Tips to Reduce Swelling After Breast Augmentation
We’ve given you some great tips to reduce swelling after breast augmentation, and hopefully, you won’t face any complications during or after your surgery.
The important things are that you adhere to your plastic surgeon’s advice and have open communication with them. By being proactive and diligent, you can make the recovery process easier and minimize swelling and other discomfort effectively.
Speak to us today if you want quality breast augmentation at affordable prices. Dr. Valdez is located in Mexico and has over 16 years of experience, with many successful surgeries under his belt.
References:
- Daniel Y. Maman M| NY, Monday S 25. The importance of compression after plastic surgery. American Society of Plastic Surgeons. Accessed November 24, 2024. https://www.plasticsurgery.org/news/blog/the-importance-of-compression-after-plastic-surgery
- Eric R. Mariotti M| C, Tuesday J 5. What does “drop and fluff” mean after breast augmentation? American Society of Plastic Surgeons. Accessed November 24, 2024. https://www.plasticsurgery.org/news/blog/what-does-drop-and-fluff-mean-after-breast-augmentation
- Foods that fight inflammation. Harvard Health. June 12, 2014. Accessed November 24, 2024. https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/foods-that-fight-inflammation
- Ice Packs vs. Warm Compresses For Pain. September 19, 2024. Accessed November 24, 2024. https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/treatment-tests-and-therapies/ice-packs-vs-warm-compresses-for-pain
- Silverstein P. Smoking and wound healing. Am J Med. 1992. Accessed November 24, 2024.