Breast Augmentation: Recovering

Getting that new look is exciting. You realize that you'll have a long list of things to do from your doctor in order to stay happy and healthy during this time. You might not know what to expect until after that doctor hands you the piece of paper. While most try to get you the information in advance, some wait until the morning of to let you know what you'll have to do to recover properly. If that's the case, you might be wondering what you can look forward to during your breast augmentation recovery.

Breast augmentation recovery starts at the hospital. This doesn't mean that you'll have a room for a week, though it does mean that it starts the minute you're wheeled out of the operating room and into the recovery room. While you're there, a nurse will monitor your condition. You may be out of this room quickly or you may be there for hours. It depends on how easily it is for the nurse to rouse you and other variables. Each recovery area has different guidelines. Should you feel sleepy, confused or disoriented, don't worry. These things are normal. If you feel cold or are in any pain, let the nurse know so she can give you a blanket or a pain reliever.

Once the nurse has determined you can go home, you'll be discharged. Your doctor should have given you a list of things to do and not to do following your breast augmentation procedure. One of the things on this list is cold packs. For the first 48 hours, your doctor will probably tell you to place cold compresses or ice packs on them. This will help to keep the swelling to a minimum. If you don;t have any you should purchase some prior to having the surgery. They can be purchased at any drugstore.
You also need to keep your the incision lines dry. The doctor may have put in sutures, tissue glue, steri-strips or a combination of all to close the wound. Keeping the area dry will help to keep infection down. Do not put creams or lotion on to this area, even if it feels dry. All you will do is inflame the incision point.

You may also have a drain in place that will remove excess fluid. Don't be alarmed if the fluid looks pink or brown, this is normal. Your physician will give you exact instruction on how to empty the drain, how to care for the tubes, and when they will need to be removed. Generally, you won't have them in for more than a week.

Breast augmentation can craft a whole new you. To keep your new look looking good and healthy, you should follow your doctor's advice to the letter. If it is getting close to your surgery date and he hasn't given you a post operation instruction list, ask him about it. You don't want to have him trying to explain it to you as you are coming out of anesthesia, because at that stage, it'll make no sense to you. Get the information in advance so that you can be prepared for what is to come and you can ask any questions that you may have.