Choosing to have a breast augmentation is an exciting time for women. While you focus on choosing the right surgeon, picking your ideal breast implants, and getting ready for your procedure, it is important to also give some thought to your breast augmentation recovery. Planning for your recovery can help ensure you are as comfortable as possible, and you are doing everything you can to achieve optimal results.
1. Prepare Your Recovery Location
Being comfortable and surrounded by everything you need is the key to a successful recovery. Whether you choose your favorite recliner in the living room or feel most comfortable in your bedroom, you want to prepare your recovery location before your procedure. Make sure you have easy access to healthy snacks, water, your phone and charger, and the television remote. It is also a good idea to have extra pillows and blankets in your recovery area to help ensure optimal comfort.
2. Sleep Is a Top Priority
Sleep and rest are the top priority when it comes to breast augmentation recovery. However, breast implants affect the way you are able to sleep, especially during recovery. Not only do you need to sleep on your back, but you also want your upper body to be slightly elevated in order to reduce swelling. It might be a good idea to spend the week or so before your procedure getting used to sleeping in this new position.
3. Enlist the Help of Loved Ones
While you likely know you will need someone to drive you home from your breast augmentation surgery, it may also be a good idea to enlist the help of loved ones for at least the first few days of your recovery. You will be limited in movement and the ability to lift for a few days, so having someone there to help with the kids and meal preparation can help make your recovery much easier and more comfortable.
4. Healthy Meal Prep Ensures Your Body Gets What It Needs
You won’t want or be able to prepare and cook meals in the first few days of recovery. If you have help at home, then eating healthy meals shouldn’t be a problem. However, if you are recovering alone, you don’t want to rely on fast-food delivery. While these can be convenient, they tend to be higher in sodium and increase dehydration, which can hinder breast augmentation recovery. In this case, you may want to prepare healthy meals before your procedure so that you can simply heat up and enjoy.
5. Functional Fashion is Key
When it comes to dressing for recovery, there are a few things to consider. In most cases, your surgeon will recommend wearing a post-operative bra or sports bra with a front closure. After your breast augmentation procedure, lifting your arms above your head or reaching behind your back is not advised and not comfortable. Finding additional sports bras with front enclosure is recommended. When choosing clothing, consider the same thing. Shirts that button or zip in the front will help you avoid lifting your arms above your head.
If you have questions about your breast augmentation recovery or are considering a breast augmentation, Dr. Drew Davis and his team are here to answer all your questions. Call (916) 318-5770 today to schedule a consultation.