Many women are dissatisfied with the size of their breasts. For them, breast augmentation procedures may provide the solution. However, before you decide to undergo breast augmentation, knowing how to plan for a safe and effective recovery will ensure you achieve optimal results.
To get started with a breast augmentation in Long Island, here are a few things to do:
- Select a board-certified plastic surgeon
- Get prepared prior to your procedure
- Follow best recovery practices
- Maintain your healthy lifestyle, including an exercise routine and a nutritious diet
Breast Augmentation Recovery Tips
1. Get Prepared
A key step in preparing for your recovery is ensuring that both your home and work schedule are arranged to limit stress following your procedure.
Take plenty of time off work, fill your prescriptions, prep some nutritious meals for your freezer, ensure childcare is arranged, and design a comfy, relaxing space filled with sufficient entertainment.
2. Rest and Relax
Following your breast augmentation, rest and relaxation are essential. Keep in mind, you may need more rest than you think.
You’ll need at least a week off work and four to six weeks off from strenuous activities. You can negatively impact your incisions and breast tissue position by resuming normal physical activities too early.
3. Sleep Correctly
Following your breast augmentation, your sleep position is important. Avoid sleeping on your stomach or sides as these positions place undue pressure on your new chest contours and incisions. For two to four weeks, try sleeping on your back, propped up by pillows.
4. Compression Garments
Compression garments and bras support the breasts and minimize swelling following recovery. Typically, surgeons recommend wearing support garments full time for four to six weeks.
5. Follow Up Appointments
Maintain regular communication and follow-up appointments with your surgeon to make sure you’re on track for recovery. Track how you feel and let your surgeon know immediately if you feel anything unusual.
6. Nutrition and Hydration
Following your breast augmentation, it’s important to fuel your body by staying hydrated and eating a nutritious diet. Be sure to drink plenty of water and fill your diet with fresh vegetables and fruits, lean proteins, and healthy fats.
7. Drinking and Smoking
Drinking alcohol and smoking both negatively impact the body’s ability to heal itself. Alcohol thins the blood and reduces its clotting ability, increasing the chance of bleeding complications. Also, alcohol shouldn’t be mixed with any prescribed pain medications.
8. Take a Walk
While you’ll need to avoid strenuous exercises for four to six weeks, slow, brief walks are an effective way to resume exercising once your surgeon clears you for activities.
9. Incision Care
Keep incisions clean, dry, and protected during breast augmentation recovery. You won’t be able to shower for about 48 hours after your procedure. Be careful when cleaning the skin around the incisions.
10. Scar Care
Dr. Vandegrift uses techniques to minimize scarring from your breast augmentation, but proper scar care can help reduce their appearance. Topical creams or other cosmetic treatments help minimize, or even eliminate, breast augmentation scarring.
Meredith Vandegrift, MD—Your Long Island Breast Augmentation Expert!
Board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Meredith Vandegrift is ready to be your dedicated partner through every step of your breast rejuvenation journey with your breast augmentation in Long Island.
Contact us today or call (631) 935-0303 to learn more!