You have your breast augmentation surgery scheduled and the big day is getting closer. You and your surgeon have discussed the procedure and what to do during your recovery, but you still have questions. What if you do something that you shouldn’t? While your surgeon provides you with post-op instructions, those “do’s” don’t often include a list of “don’ts.” Here’s what not to do after your breast augmentation surgery.
Don’t Sleep on Your Stomach
No doubt your post-op instructions advise you to get lots of rest after your breast augmentation surgery. However, how you rest is just as important as how much. After your surgery, your body is healing.
During this healing process, the body forms a natural capsule of scar tissue around your breast implant. This is why your post-op instructions recommend sleeping on your back or in an elevated position.
Sleeping on your stomach can cause post-surgical complications, resulting in the need for breast revision surgery.
Sleeping on your stomach can disrupt the healing process and slow down the formation of scar tissue. By sleeping on your stomach, you also place pressure on your breast implants which can cause them to slip sideways and create a lateral displacement, requiring breast augmentation revision surgery.
If you are a stomach sleeper, consider adding pillows to your sides in order to help prevent rolling over to your stomach.
Avoid Heavy Lifting after Breast Augmentation
While recovery from breast augmentation is relatively easy compared to other cosmetic surgeries, your body still requires rest in order to heal. Even if you feel relatively normal within a few days, now is not the time to decide the bookcase needs to be moved or you are going to bring in every grocery bag in one trip.
You need to refrain from any lifting, pulling or pushing for at least 2 to 3 weeks after your surgery to avoid any possible complications.
Don’t Smoke
If you were a smoker, now is not the time to start back up again. Cigarette smoking is one of the most common factors associated with postoperative complications. Smoking contributes to poor healing, increased risk of infection and often contributes to less satisfactory surgical outcomes. Smoking after breast augmentation is a big don’t.
Don’t Say No to the Bra Just Yet
After your breast augmentation surgery, you are advised to wear a post-surgical compression bra. These bras do an amazing job at providing support to your healing breasts. You should remain in your compression bra for at least 1 to 2 weeks or as advised by your surgeon.
And this doesn’t mean just when you go out. Your compression bra should be worn at all times aside from showering in order to provide optimal support. Your breasts should be well supported for at least 6 weeks after surgery.
Dr. Scot Martin concentrates on breast enhancement and body contouring at his practice in Las Cruces, New Mexico. A nationally recognized plastic surgeon, Dr. Martin is a member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons and the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery.
He looks forward to meeting you and helping you become the best version of yourself possible.
