Anyone considering breast augmentation surgery often thinks about possible post-operative consequences and the rehabilitation process after mammoplasty. Few people can afford to drop out of today’s fast-paced, energetic lifestyle for long. Therefore, questions about recovery time and features of the rehabilitation period concern everyone.
Many have heard about the pain and difficulty of the post-operative period. However, such opinions are often exaggerated. Naturally, mammoplasty is not a simple cosmetic procedure, but unfounded fears should not deter someone from fulfilling their dream. So, what does the post-operative period after mammoplasty entail?
Most patients leave the clinic the day after the implant placement. Along with their new breasts, they are given instructions for medication use and a schedule for follow-up consultations.
The First Few Days
What can a woman expect at home? Primarily:
- Discomfort. One inevitable consequence is swelling, which stretches the skin and causes some discomfort. Normally, swelling subsides within a week, after which the woman can begin to appreciate her new shape.
- Moderate pain. While painkillers are administered in the clinic, any lingering pain can be managed with prescribed medications.
- Bruising. Although uncommon, if bruises appear, there’s no need to worry as they will resolve naturally. Healing can be sped up using ointments or gels containing troxerutin or heparin.
- Redness and firmness around stitches. Initially, surgical stitches may swell or redden. To prevent them from widening, patients are advised to apply special paper tape (steri-strips) for 2–3 months until the stitches fade significantly.
Conditions for Successful Recovery
To ensure a smooth recovery, a woman should:
- Consistently wear compression garments to help the skin adapt to the implants and aid scar healing. For underarm implant placement, these garments help position the implants correctly.
- Avoid physical activity, including sexual activity, for at least three weeks. Returning to work is possible about a week after surgery with a doctor’s approval.
- Refrain from visiting beaches or tanning salons.
- Use special gels to smooth scars (e.g., Contractubex, Strataderm).
- Perform light massages with moisturizing creams to prevent fibrous capsule formation.
Some women report general malaise during the post-operative period. This is normal as the body adapts to the presence of foreign objects. However, if symptoms cause significant concern, consulting a doctor is better than risking complications later.
Complications
Although breast augmentation surgeries have been performed for years, complications are rare but do occur. These can be general surgical or specific to the procedure.
General Surgical Complications
- Infection of the wound. This can result from poor hygiene or medical negligence. Treatment may require strong antibiotics or even implant removal.
- Keloid or hypertrophic scars. These arise from individual tendencies and may require surgical removal of excess tissue.
- Nipple sensitivity loss. Damage to nerves during surgery can result in permanent sensitivity loss.
Specific Complications
- Implant rupture or leakage due to defects.
- Capsular fibrosis, which deforms the breast shape. This occurs more often with smooth implants.
- Implant displacement.
- Implant wrinkling.
In cases of specific complications, revision surgery to replace the implant may be necessary. To minimize the risk of such issues, patients must strictly follow medical advice and undergo regular check-ups throughout the recovery period.
