Breast augmentation increases the breast size and balances the contours of the body. Implants entail using saline or silicone-filled sacs and suturing them beneath the glandular tissue or the breast muscles using incisions while the patient is under general anesthesia. However, there is a lot of inflammation and swelling for the first couple of weeks after surgery. There are guidelines you can follow to reduce the swelling and pain.
Follow Post-Operative Instructions
One should follow the instructions of your surgeon during and after the surgery. Such instructions can refer to details on the dosage and frequency of the medicine, the type of the medicine, the ways the wound should be dressed, and the body movements one is restricted from taking. Compliance with these recommendations assists in lessening the probability of some of the complications such as infections or delayed wound healing which leads to inflammation. Thus, by minimizing these problems you can facilitate your body reaching its normal state faster, having moderate to low discomfort or pain throughout the recovery.
Wear Compression Garments
Wearing compression bras or garments is an essential part of post-operative care. These specially designed garments offer even, mild compression to your breasts as they dissipate fluids that may lead to swelling. Moreover, the support they provide aids in immobilizing the surgical zone, which limits unwanted movement that might interfere with the healing tissues. By providing this kind of support, the compression garments play a role in increasing the probability of a less painful and less swollen recovery process.
Elevate Your Upper Body
Lying or sleeping in an inclined position of 30-45° makes a big difference in how and how fast you recover. Post-operative elevation also aids in the enhancement of blood flow and reduces the build-up of fluids that cause surgical site swelling. To do so, an additional pillow or even an adjustable bed is best because it aligns your sleeping position to improve blood circulation and reduce swelling so that you can recover faster and without complications.
Stay Hydrated
Hydration is an essential component of the human body and it is difficult to overstate the value of water in the healing process. It helps the body to detoxify the congested fluid in the body leading to swelling. Sufficient intake of water helps support the efficiency of all the organs in your body including the healing organs within your body. Drinking water also helps in ensuring that the body will be well equipped to reduce inflammation while also providing support the site of the swelling.
Maintain a Healthy Diet
It is crucial for patients to adhere to a diet containing foods that are capable of helping the body heal after undergoing surgery. Increased consumption of foods such as vitamin-rich vegetables and fruits, folic acid, and antioxidant foods assists in enhancing the body’s healing capacities, therefore decreasing inflammation and the rate of swelling. Healthy and balanced meals which are made up of fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and whole grain allows for the supply of nutrients required in the repairing of tissues. By eating nutritious foods you give your body what it needs to recover and thereby not experience prolonged swelling.
Avoid Salt
One of the ways that are known to help in the recovery process is also reducing the portion of salt or avoiding salty foods altogether. The consumption of salt aggravates the situation, and the swelling and pain become worse because the body retains water. When you decrease the amount of salt you intake, you also decrease the probability of water being held and increase the chances of fluid turnover in the body. The diet change may also help prevent the extent of the swelling that takes place in the healing process, offer relief, and facilitate speedy recovery.
Take Prescribed Medications
Prescribed oral anti-inflammatory drugs or analgesics that your surgeon may have advised you could do much in handling inflammation and pain. These products have been created and serve as anti-inflammatory drugs. Hence, with the help of your doctor, you can reduce the pain that you feel during the recovery process. Compliance with medications as prescribed also helps in reducing inflammation and thus relieves the patient's discomfort.
Gentle Massage
After receiving the go-ahead from your surgeon, massaging the area can be helpful to reduce fluid accumulation and avoid scar tissue formation. Tactile stimulation of the breast area can help in the movement of the lymphatic fluid to the larger vessels and thus reduce swelling. Also, it will be beneficial to receive massages often to stop the formation of dense scar tissue and therefore attain better results. Therefore, whenever possible, it is recommended that you integrate gentle massages into your recovery plan for healing and minimizing the chances of inflammation that may persist for a long time.
Limit Physical Activity
Restriction from such activities as lifting heavy objects, engaging in sports, and doing any rigorous work in the first few weeks after the surgery is paramount in preventing the formation of clots and swelling. Being active too early may hinder the healing process and increase inflammation. The time you invest in sleeping helps your surgical area recover properly. Reducing one’s level of activity will aid in keeping the swelling at a bearable level and in preventing setbacks in the healing process.
Cold Compresses
Cold packs should be applied to the breasts to make them less inflated. Cold therapy helps to decrease the distribution of blood to the affected area because it constricts blood vessels thus minimizing inflammation. It is necessary to put a barrier such as a piece of cloth between the skin and the cold pack to avoid frostbite. Applying ice packs for brief intervals within the initial two days after the surgery can help you in terms of how comfortable you feel and the degree of inflammation in the area which will make the healing process easier.
Conclusion
Overall, the care and prevention of swelling after breast augmentation surgery is achievable by following some of the strategies discussed above. Through the directives of your surgeon; wearing compressing garments, raising your upper part of the body whenever in bed, drinking sufficient water, eating a balanced diet, avoiding too many salts, taking prescribed medicine, gently massaging the breasts, avoiding strenuous exercises, and applying of cold compresses, you can minimize on swelling and consequently fasten your recovery process. Following these tips will not only improve comfort but also facilitate the healing process and allow for the best outcome of your operation.
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