Thursday, June 11, 2009
Recovering from Breast Augmentation Surgery
Breast augmentation surgery has become one of the most widely performed cosmetic surgical procedures in the world today. The procedure is relatively simple for an invasive operation and recovery from the surgery, though it takes some time, is less incapacitating than with other surgeries. However, as with any procedure, precautions must be taken and physician instructions closely followed to minimize the chance of infection and to ensure the muscle and tissue around the breast implants heals correctly.
Saline vs. Silicone Gel Breast Implants
Breast implants are available in two forms: Saline implants and silicone gel implants. Each implant type has pros and cons associated with it. Saline implants are most often used in the United States. The surface of this type of implant may be smooth or textured. The shell of the saline implant is made of a strong silicone and the saline is added to the implant at the time of surgery. The advantage of saline implants is that if the implant bursts, the saline is non-toxic and readily absorbed by the body. The two major producers of saline breast implants in the US are the Mentor Corporation and Inamed.
Silicone Gel implants are the most controversial of implants. Women have made claims of connective tissue disorders (CTD) and silicone implants are believed by some to be the cause. However, the actual causes of CTD are yet unknown. In 1992, the Food and Drug Administration placed a moratorium on silicone-filled implants. However, in 2006, the FDA approved the use of silicone gel implants. These implants are widely used today for breast augmentation surgery.
Unlike saline implants, silicone gel implants are obtained pre-filled prior to surgery. The newly approved silicone gel implants have three layers of coating to protect the body from silicone gel bleed and prevent ruptures. Due to the pre-filling of the implants, the incision required to insert the device must be larger than with saline implants. Like saline implants, the texture of the surface of saline gel implants may be smooth or textured.
Recovery Time
Recovery time after breast augmentation surgery is different for everyone. However, you may expect to experience quite a bit of discomfort for a few days to a few weeks after the procedure. Size and placement of the breast implants will determine level of discomfort. For example, larger implants will cause more discomfort. Most important is that you continue to take prescribed medications, particularly antibiotics, to ward off infection. One of the leading causes of death in hospital is from infection. Be sure to keep your body strong after the procedures with plenty of rest, plenty of water and taking all of your prescribed medication.
Immediately after the surgery, the breasts will appear misshapen and swollen in parts. The process of the breast tissue completely healing and the breasts taking on their permanent shape will take approximately six to eight weeks. Stitches will generally dissolve in about one week. However, swelling and bruising may continue for several weeks. Your doctor will prescribe a compression bra or bandage. Immediately after surgery, compression bandages prevent the build up of fluids. The compression bandage / bra used over the first few weeks after surgery helps to keep the implants in place and helps speed recovery after breast augmentation surgery.
Tips to Reduce Pain
Your physician will prescribe pain medication for the days following the surgery. Use as prescribed. When the pain has subsided, you may wish to use ibupropin or another over the counter pain reliever. Warm showers will sometimes relieve mild pain. As your doctor when he / she recommends that you be able to shower and bathe after surgery.
Recommended Exercises
Very mild exercises are recommended for the weeks following breast augmentation surgery. As to be expected, the muscles of the upper torso will be swollen, sore and bruised. For exercise during these times, try a low impact leg workout or a sitting workout. It is important that you do not stretch the surgical area until proper healing has occurred. After about a month, you should be able to resume your normal exercise routine. Be sure to get clearance from your doctor prior to returning to exercise.
Returning to Regular Activities
Full breast augmentation surgery recovery will take at least a few months and will vary with each individual. You may return to regular activities, including your job, after about two weeks recovery time. Your doctor will provide details regarding using the muscles around your implants and how to minimize the chance of complications from returning to activities too soon.
Learn more about breast augmentation by coming back to my blog every day. Learn about plastic surgery procedures performed by plastic surgeons all over the United States.
Saline vs. Silicone Gel Breast Implants
Breast implants are available in two forms: Saline implants and silicone gel implants. Each implant type has pros and cons associated with it. Saline implants are most often used in the United States. The surface of this type of implant may be smooth or textured. The shell of the saline implant is made of a strong silicone and the saline is added to the implant at the time of surgery. The advantage of saline implants is that if the implant bursts, the saline is non-toxic and readily absorbed by the body. The two major producers of saline breast implants in the US are the Mentor Corporation and Inamed.
Silicone Gel implants are the most controversial of implants. Women have made claims of connective tissue disorders (CTD) and silicone implants are believed by some to be the cause. However, the actual causes of CTD are yet unknown. In 1992, the Food and Drug Administration placed a moratorium on silicone-filled implants. However, in 2006, the FDA approved the use of silicone gel implants. These implants are widely used today for breast augmentation surgery.
Unlike saline implants, silicone gel implants are obtained pre-filled prior to surgery. The newly approved silicone gel implants have three layers of coating to protect the body from silicone gel bleed and prevent ruptures. Due to the pre-filling of the implants, the incision required to insert the device must be larger than with saline implants. Like saline implants, the texture of the surface of saline gel implants may be smooth or textured.
Recovery Time
Recovery time after breast augmentation surgery is different for everyone. However, you may expect to experience quite a bit of discomfort for a few days to a few weeks after the procedure. Size and placement of the breast implants will determine level of discomfort. For example, larger implants will cause more discomfort. Most important is that you continue to take prescribed medications, particularly antibiotics, to ward off infection. One of the leading causes of death in hospital is from infection. Be sure to keep your body strong after the procedures with plenty of rest, plenty of water and taking all of your prescribed medication.
Immediately after the surgery, the breasts will appear misshapen and swollen in parts. The process of the breast tissue completely healing and the breasts taking on their permanent shape will take approximately six to eight weeks. Stitches will generally dissolve in about one week. However, swelling and bruising may continue for several weeks. Your doctor will prescribe a compression bra or bandage. Immediately after surgery, compression bandages prevent the build up of fluids. The compression bandage / bra used over the first few weeks after surgery helps to keep the implants in place and helps speed recovery after breast augmentation surgery.
Tips to Reduce Pain
Your physician will prescribe pain medication for the days following the surgery. Use as prescribed. When the pain has subsided, you may wish to use ibupropin or another over the counter pain reliever. Warm showers will sometimes relieve mild pain. As your doctor when he / she recommends that you be able to shower and bathe after surgery.
Recommended Exercises
Very mild exercises are recommended for the weeks following breast augmentation surgery. As to be expected, the muscles of the upper torso will be swollen, sore and bruised. For exercise during these times, try a low impact leg workout or a sitting workout. It is important that you do not stretch the surgical area until proper healing has occurred. After about a month, you should be able to resume your normal exercise routine. Be sure to get clearance from your doctor prior to returning to exercise.
Returning to Regular Activities
Full breast augmentation surgery recovery will take at least a few months and will vary with each individual. You may return to regular activities, including your job, after about two weeks recovery time. Your doctor will provide details regarding using the muscles around your implants and how to minimize the chance of complications from returning to activities too soon.
Learn more about breast augmentation by coming back to my blog every day. Learn about plastic surgery procedures performed by plastic surgeons all over the United States.
Posted by admin2 at 5:52 PM
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
0 comments:
Post a Comment