Believe it or not, breast augmentation with breast implants requires little maintenance past the recovery phase. However, you’ll want to stay abreast of these tips to keep from hitting bumps on the road to recovery and keep your new breasts looking full, beautiful, and youthful for many years to come.
Out of a total of 1.8 million cosmetic surgeries performed last year, breast augmentation with breast implants continues to top the charts as the most popular cosmetic procedure, with over 300,000 procedures performed last year in the U. S. alone, according to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. (Source: https://www.plasticsurgery.org/news/press-releases/new-statistics-reveal-the-shape-of-plastic-surgery) While most breast augmentation with breast implants go off without a hitch and women enjoy years of their elevated aesthetic, there are mindful tips to take to protect your body-beautifying investment.
- Get Some Rest and Relaxation
Take it easy for a few weeks following surgery. Avoid any heavy lifting or strenuous, high-impact workouts for the first 4-6 weeks following surgery. Plan on taking a week or two off from work following surgery and 4 or more weeks if you have a more physical-based occupation.
- Assume the Position
For the first few months following surgery, patients find sleeping on their side or back alleviates pain or discomfort until bruising and swelling subside.
- Re-think Your Bra Collection
Avoid underwire bras as they can impede on healing and “dig” into incision sites. Your doctor will recommend a soft, full support bra that should be worn for the first month following your breast enhancement procedure. This will help your new breasts to achieve the desired shape more quickly, while also facilitating the “fluff and drop” phase.
- Get Rubbed the Right Way
Set aside some time each day for the first 3-6 months to perform gentle massages over and around your new breast implants. Daily massaging of new breast implants helps to: relax chest muscles to reduce stress on new saline or silicone implants; stretch out implants to create a more natural look, shape, feel; and reduce scar tissue buildup. Daily massaging is like a welcoming ritual for your implants.
- Keep Up with Follow-up Appointments
These appointments are crucial during the first six months of surgery to ensure your body is reacting well to the new implants and the “settling in phase” is going as planned. It’s always best to stay proactive with your healthcare and communicate any misgivings or concerns with your doctor. The U. S. Food and Drug Administration recommends patients with silicone implants undergo an MRI exam every 3 years following surgery to check for leakage, rupture, or damage. Be sure to commit to sticking to these crucial appointments.
- Be Mindful of Incision Sites
With the discretion of your doctor, keep incisions taped to optimize the diminishment of scars and follow your doctor’s instructions on changing, cleaning, and caring of drains and dressings immediately following surgery.
While low maintenance, breast augmentation surgery with implants is still a surgery that requires conscious care and must-have upkeep of both health and beauty beautification benefits. Just use common sense and practice the best judgment. Some words of wisdom: it’s probably best not to start competing in MMA fights anytime soon. While your breast implants can sustain some squeeze play and intimate fondling like natural breasts, it’s best to remember they are manmade, medical devices susceptible to damage if improperly handled. So, keep manhandling to a minimum.
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