Breast augmentation surgery or mammoplasty: rehabilitation after the intervention. Rehabilitation after mammoplasty (breast fascination) How often can you shower after mammoplasty

The rehabilitation period is an integral stage of mammoplasty, during which the breast tissues heal, fixation and installation of implants in the breast, swelling disappears, blood circulation normalizes and the final postoperative form of the mammary glands is formed.

During rehabilitation, the patient must strictly adhere to the recommendations of the plastic surgeon and follow all the rules in order to prevent the manifestation of unwanted complications and side effects.

The rehabilitation period can be easy and quick, and can also be significantly extended in time. The duration of the recovery period depends on the volume of plastic surgery, the individual characteristics of the patient's body and her age.

Hospital stay after breast augmentation

Usually, the woman spends the first day after the operation in the intensive care unit under the supervision of medical personnel and the doctor who performed the operation in order to receive emergency medical care in time in case of complications after general anesthesia or plastic surgery.

On the second day, if the patient feels well, she is discharged from the hospital and sent home with a list of recommendations and prescriptions for medications.

Medications after surgery

After the operation, the doctor prescribes the following medications to the patient:

• Painkillers: 90% of women in the first days after mammoplasty experience intense pain and discomfort associated with stretching of the breast tissue by the implant, muscle damage during plastic surgery, and increasing swelling of the mammary glands.
• A complex of antibiotics and antiviral drugs that help prevent infections, purulent complications, recurrence of herpes.
• External use for postoperative sutures: silicone patch (Meliform), Contractubex cream, Dermatix.
• Other drugs if indicated.

Postoperative sutures

Care of postoperative sutures is very important, as scars on the chest can significantly spoil the results of plastic surgery.

To prevent the formation of a rough and wide postoperative scar, it is necessary to fix the edges of the wound with special adhesive strips or plasters to relieve tissue tension on the sides of the scar, as well as regularly wear specially selected compression underwear (during the first month - daily).

Sutures are removed 7-10 days after surgery, some surgeons use self-absorbable suture material.

During the first month, the scars must be sealed with a silicone plaster (for example, Meliform), Dermatix ointment can be used.

When the scar becomes white and elastic, you can start applying Contractubex ointment for the final resorption of scars. Earlier use of the ointment on an unformed scar can lead to the formation of a large and wide scar.

puffiness

Breast swelling after plastic surgery is a normal reaction of tissues and the body to surgery. Puffiness can be significant in size, it looks like an unnatural increase in the upper half of the breast above the nipple. Breast edema persists from 2 weeks to 3 months.

Compression underwear helps to reduce swelling, which massages the breast tissue, activates blood circulation and lymph flow.

The following factors contribute to the growth and increase in swelling:

• A visit to the solarium, prolonged exposure to the sun.
• Taking a hot bath or shower.
• Sexual arousal causing blood flow to the chest.
• Visiting the sauna and bath.
• Intense physical activity.
• Refusal to wear compression underwear.

To reduce and eliminate puffiness, the patient must observe the following rules:

• Take a shower with cool, slightly warm water.
• Avoid sexual intercourse and intense physical activity for at least 4 weeks.
• Wear for at least 1 month after surgery.
• For 1 month, refuse to visit the solarium, baths, saunas, the beach.

Physical activity after mammoplasty

The patient must comply with the following restrictions during the rehabilitation period:

• Do not raise your arms above shoulder level, do not lift objects heavier than 3 kilograms, do not make sudden movements with your arms, turn and tilt your body (at least a week after surgery).
• You can drive a car no earlier than 10 days after the operation and only if you have a power steering.
• Housework can be performed only from 2 weeks after the operation, provided that it is not associated with lifting weights, performing actions in an inclined position of the body.
• You can return to sports training only 1 month after the operation and only after consultation with a plastic surgeon. It is necessary to engage in compression underwear, gradually increasing the load.
• For the first 2-3 weeks after the operation, it is not advisable to pick up a small child or pets, if this is still necessary, then you should sit down, keeping your back straight, wrap your arms around the child and gently lift it up.

Postoperative breast massage

Plastic surgeons usually prescribe a massage 1 month after the operation, in some cases - 1-2 weeks later. The massage techniques and techniques are shown by the doctor, so the patient can self-massage at home or contact a specialized massage therapist.

Breast skin care

Breast skin after mammoplasty, in the absence of comprehensive care, gradually loses its elasticity, wide striae may appear on it, which significantly worsen the appearance of the breast.

Breast skin care includes the application of special creams and lotions, oils, which can be done as early as 1 week after plastic surgery, immediately after a shower. It is advisable to apply creams and lotions at night, any nourishing and moisturizing creams, creams from lifting series, lotions for breast enlargement, toning the skin and preventing the appearance of stretch marks, are well suited for the breast.

Creams and lotions must also be applied to the chest before the massage and evenly distributed over the skin.

1 month after plastic surgery, the patient can start undergoing a course of salon cosmetic procedures that will help tighten the breast skin, maintain its elasticity and firmness.

For breast skin care, you can use the following products:

• Alginate masks for breast skin. The composition of such masks includes alginate acid and its salts. Masks are available in the form of powders that must be diluted with water or a solvent, or in the form of gels. Additional components of the masks are extracts of medicinal plants (for example, chamomile), mineral clay, ginseng root, essential oils (lemon, orange, grapefruit, lavender, rosemary).
• Seaweed wraps. Brown algae (for example, kelp, fucus) are mainly used for the procedure, but ready-made compositions for algal wraps made in the form of a cream can also be used. In its composition, algae contain Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, iodine, alginates, vitamins A, C, D, groups B, E, PP, K, calcium, sodium, silicon, sodium, magnesium and other trace elements. The algae wrapping procedure can be carried out in 2 main ways: cold or hot.
• Special Serums(for example, Chicco Mamma Donna breast serum or Perfect Body Firming Bust & Décolleté Gel from Oriflame). Regular application of serums helps to improve the smoothness and elasticity of the skin of the chest, décolleté, improve breast contours, stimulates the production of elastin and collagen. Serum for the breast should be applied 2 times a day (morning and evening) in a circular motion, preferably after taking a shower.

Maintaining normal body weight

The volume of a woman's breasts is more influenced by body weight: the slightest change in body weight (weight loss, weight gain) leads to a change in the shape and volume of the breast.

If a woman plans an operation and at the same time wants to lose weight, then first she must lose weight to the desired level, stabilize it, and only then carry out breast plastic surgery.

Changes in weight during the rehabilitation period can adversely affect the results of plastic surgery, worsen and severely deform the shape and volume of the breast. So, a sharp weight loss will make the implant visible under the skin, and a sharp weight gain will lead to stretch marks on the skin of the breast, sagging of the mammary glands, and a significant weight gain in combination with the additional volume of the implant will make the breast unnaturally large and unnatural.

On the video: about the features of the postoperative period

Change of compression underwear to normal underwear

The moment of transition from compression underwear to regular underwear is determined individually by the plastic surgeon in each case. Some patients may be allowed to wear normal underwear as early as 1 month after surgery, others may need a longer period (up to 1 year).

The transition from compression underwear to regular underwear should be gradual. When choosing a regular bra that can be worn after support underwear, you should pay attention to the following factors:

• Cup.
• Base.
• Straps.
• Bones.

The bra must meet the following parameters:

• To be as convenient and comfortable as possible, hypoallergenic (you should give preference to underwear made from natural materials), pleasant to the touch.
• It should not pinch the mammary glands, cut into the skin, rub, fall off, crawl up the back.
• Should support new large breasts well and securely.

If the patient has a large postoperative scar under her breast, then the bones of the new bra can cause inconvenience and discomfort at first, rub, so an elastic bandage must be used. The bandage should be wrapped around the scar area, which will help close and protect the scar, and a new bra can be put on top of the bandage.

The first year after the operation, you can not wear 2 categories of underwear:

• Push-up (deforms and squeezes the mammary glands).
• Strapless bras (deprive the chest of the necessary support, so the chest can quickly stretch, sag, lose shape).

Mammoplasty is a surgical intervention aimed at correcting the shape and volume of the mammary glands.

Breast augmentation is the most popular procedure in cosmetic surgery, the methods of which are constantly being improved so that women after plastic surgery can resume their daily lives in the shortest possible time. It is important to understand that the recovery period is a relatively short but important step in achieving the most favorable results.

Mammoplasty is usually performed on an outpatient basis under general anesthesia, although in some cases the operation can be performed with local anesthesia. Patients can usually go home after the procedure. Breast augmentation is often combined with surgeries such as breast lift, abdominoplasty (tummy tuck), liposuction, lipolysis.

Factors Affecting Recovery Time

Rehabilitation after mammoplasty depends on a number of factors, including:

• breast tissue density
• implant size,
• implant placement,
• surgical technique.

It is important to understand that the amount of time it takes to recover from mammoplasty varies greatly depending on the individual.

Breast implants are available in a wide range of sizes. The size of the implant may have an impact on the recovery time. For example, large implants put more pressure on the pectoral muscle, and can cause stretching of the overlying skin. This can lead to the fact that rehabilitation after breast augmentation will take a little longer.

Breast implants are placed either above or below the pectoral muscle, according to the patient's lifestyle and aesthetic goals. Axillary (submuscular) placement is more invasive because, in addition to requiring a skin incision, this method requires the separation of a portion of the pectoral muscle to make room for the implant. This placement option is often recommended for women who desire the most natural looking results and who do not regularly participate in activities that require significant upper body effort.

When breast augmentation involves placing implants under a muscle, the muscles can "trap" the implant and keep it in a high position. Lowering the implant can take two to three months or more.

The recovery time after breast augmentation is shorter with the subglandular technique (under the mammary gland), compared to submuscular breast augmentation. Discomfort in the first case lasts about 4 days, and in the latter - 10-12 days.

As in the rehabilitation period after any operation, recovery after mammoplasty will take time. To better prepare patients for their recovery time, below is information on what to expect in the coming weeks and months after surgery. Patients should carefully follow all postoperative instructions to minimize discomfort and speed up the healing process.

Each plastic surgeon has their own recommendations for recovery after mammoplasty, but in general, rehabilitation after breast augmentation includes the following steps:

• 1) discontinuation of pain medications: 1-2 days;
• 2) return to work: 3 days;
• 3) light exercise: 2-3 weeks;
• 5) Scar maturation: 12 months.

First weeks after surgery

During the first 24 hours there is a risk of early bleeding. Ice packs can be used during this time to reduce swelling, and any type of heat in the chest area should also be avoided.

The first 4 days are an inflammatory period, which is characterized by swelling, pain, discomfort. During this period, the vast majority of drugs are used and regular monitoring of body temperature is necessary.

A normal consequence of mammoplasty is a feeling of tightness in the breast area as the skin adjusts to the new size of the breast and breast implants.

For the first two to three days after surgery, patients should wear an elastic bandage or a special surgical bra over dressings. After the dressings are removed, a surgical bra must be worn for the next few weeks.

From days 4 to 10, you can take a shower if allowed by the surgeon, after which it is necessary to dry the wounds and dressings thoroughly (use a hairdryer). At this time, you can not wash your hair yourself, because it is forbidden to raise your hands above your head.

Constipation is possible due to a side effect of pain medications. Pain tends to decrease throughout the day with less need for medication. However, the pain is usually observed at night between 3 and 6 o'clock. The pain is worse when implants are placed under the muscle.

In the period from 7 to 10 days, bleeding or infection is possible. Bruising and swelling are normal after surgery and usually subside within a few weeks.

Patients are advised to avoid any heavy work or strenuous exercise for several weeks after surgery. The use of the lever for everyday activities, that is, such movements as are required when brushing teeth, eating, combing hair, should be limited.

Within two weeks after plastic surgery, it is important to stop using any medications or supplements that can cause bleeding, including fish oil, herbal supplements, aspirin.

While sleeping, place at least two or three soft pillows under your upper back and head to keep your torso elevated. This helps relieve pressure on the treatment area, reducing swelling and pain. You can't sleep on your stomach.

Patients should avoid driving until they are no longer in pain from the seat belt, which can take several weeks.

On days 10 to 21, there is a decrease in the risk of infection and bleeding. It is possible to increase physical activity, perform simple exercises designed for the lower body. The vast majority of edema begins to subside. Sometimes there is pain at night. The nerves begin to wake up, which can lead to tingling sensations in the nipple area.

First few months after surgery

During the 4-6 weeks of the rehabilitation period, wound healing occurs at a constant rate. Painkillers are rarely needed. You can begin the transition from low-activity activities to aerobic exercise. Any contact with the breast should be gentle for four to six weeks.

Changes in the sensation of the skin of the breast and nipples are common side effects after plastic surgery. Numbness in the breasts and nipples may be felt by some women up to a year after breast reduction surgery, while others may experience hypersensitivity in the breast area. It is important to keep in mind that in some cases these altered sensations may become permanent.

Some surgeons recommend wearing a well-fitting sports bra 24 hours a day for up to three months after surgery. An underwire (or push-up) bra can be worn for at least 6 weeks until the wounds have properly healed and the breast implants are in a permanent position. Can I sleep on my stomach or side after mammoplasty? For 6 weeks, you must sleep on your back, sleeping on your stomach or side is prohibited.

Breast massage can facilitate correct positioning of breast implants and prevent capsular contracture.

Patients should be aware that their breasts may swell and become firm during the first postoperative period. In addition, some women may experience sporadic pain for several months, especially during menstruation. Your doctor may prescribe pain medication to relieve these symptoms and reduce discomfort during the recovery period.

Up to 9 months there is a progressive relaxation of scar tissue and resolution of the remaining 5-10% swelling. The chest as a whole becomes softer. During this time, most patients accept implants as part of their body.

Although the breast becomes stable in its new shape, it is important to understand that the shape of the mammary glands can fluctuate in response to hormonal changes, weight changes, pregnancy, and the onset of menopause.

During the year, it is necessary to protect the incisions from direct sunlight and refrain from visiting the solarium, because the skin in these areas is thinner.

Complications after mammoplasty

Soreness and pain

After mammoplasty, patients may experience some painful attacks or general discomfort. These symptoms sometimes persist for several weeks.

Probably the most important factor in improving the ability of patients to recover from surgery is the elimination of pain. Adequate pain control is considered by some surgeons to be very important in the early rehabilitation period. Individual pain thresholds vary greatly. Women who have had children tend to experience less postoperative pain as they have a much higher pain threshold. Some patients compare pain during recovery to that experienced during breastfeeding.

Surgeons recommend that patients take prescribed pain relievers regularly every 4 to 6 hours, especially during the first 24 to 48 hours. Patients usually take pain medication (ibuprofen, paracetamol, Tylenol) for 1-2 days. Patients should not take ibuprofen if they have stomach, kidney or liver problems, or if they have had them in the past.

Edema

Edema is a normal postoperative consequence. Usually swelling and puffiness disappear within 2-3 weeks. Since the breast tissue is significantly disturbed during the operation, edema may persist for up to 3-4 months, although it may be very small, noticeable only to the patient. The final size and appearance of the breasts can be assessed after 3 months, when 90% of the swelling has resolved and the breasts become soft.

Treatment for prolonged edema includes increasing fluid intake (preferably water), decreasing sodium intake, and physical movement such as walking.

scars

While mammoplasty scars are permanent, in most cases they will fade and improve significantly over time. Plastic surgeons go to great lengths to hide and minimize stitches and scars.

To place the implants, the surgeon makes an incision in one of the following areas: on the underside of the breast in the submammary fold (inframammary incision); under the arm (axillary incision); around the nipple (periareolar incision).

The inframammary incision creates an inconspicuous scar under the breast. Periareolar incision is made exclusively along the border of the areola. A periareolar incision can cause problems with changes in nipple sensation, but the scars are usually hardly noticeable. In the case of simultaneous abdominoplasty, a transabdominal incision is used (on the skin of the abdomen in the bikini area).

When reduction mammoplasty is performed, rather large incisions are used. The surgeon may hide some incision lines in the natural contours of the breast, but others will be visible on the surface of the breast. Fortunately, incisions can usually be limited to areas of the breast that can be covered by a bra.

Patients should follow all postoperative instructions and monitor the condition of the sutures to control infection. Caring for your incisions can help reduce the appearance of scars and speed up healing time. The stitches are removed after about ten days.

Smoking dramatically slows down the healing process and can lead to serious complications. Nicotine causes blood vessels to constrict, inhibits the function of red blood cells, and reduces the level of oxygen in the blood. Cells must divide and grow in order to heal wounds, and without sufficient oxygen, this process can be significantly delayed. Nicotine can also greatly increase the risk of infection.

Scars may be swollen and red for several months. Scars usually begin to fade and soften after 3-6 months. The final result can be seen in a year. In practice, in 3-6 months, the scars will be very close to the final result, in the form of thin white lines, becoming less noticeable.

There is evidence that the most severe scars (hypertrophic scars) occur in about 10% of inframammary incisions, about 5% of areola incisions, and less than 1% of axillary incisions.

Capsular contracture

If an implant is inserted into the breast, the body reacts by forming a protective coating around it. The capsule is formed by its own living tissue. In some women, the capsule tends to shrink and compress the implant. This is called capsular contracture. The denser the capsule becomes, the firmer the breast becomes.

Capsular contracture does not cause rupture of the implant, since the compression force is applied evenly over its surface.
Medical therapy for capsular contracture is rarely successful.

Capsular contracture is usually treated with surgery.

Only a relatively small percentage of women with implants develop capsular contracture severe enough to require surgery. After removal, recapsular contracture rarely develops.

Physical exercise during the rehabilitation period

For the first two weeks, exercise is limited to walking to prevent additional swelling or fluid buildup during the recovery period. After 3-4 weeks, some light exercise is acceptable. Vigorous exercise should be avoided for three weeks, but walking and non-upper body exercises are possible for two weeks.

Vigorous physical activity can open wounds or dislodge implants.

Sport after mammoplasty implies a gradual increase in the level of stress during exercise / training only in the second month of rehabilitation. Only after 8 weeks, patients are allowed to return to activities that require powerful, repetitive effort, such as push-ups and weightlifting. It is important that the breasts are well supported by a sports bra, especially when doing activities such as running or aerobics.

If the implants are placed under the muscle, the gym is not recommended for 6 weeks. Patients may describe discomfort after going to the gym, as if they did too many push-ups. This deep muscle soreness is not really pain.

Child care during rehabilitation

If patients have small children, they may need help with the babies for the first two to three days after surgery. If the children are small, you can not lift them from a standing position, because this requires a lot of effort from the pectoral muscles. Children can be lifted from a seated position by keeping the elbows close to the body. Light care for young children can be completed in 2-3 weeks and full care can be resumed within 5-6 weeks.

Postoperative risks

All surgical procedures carry some degree of risk. Some of the potential complications of all surgeries are listed below:

• adverse reactions to anesthesia;
• hematoma or seroma (accumulation of blood or fluid under the skin that may need to be removed);
• infection and bleeding;
• changes in skin sensitivity;
• scarring;
• allergic reactions;
• damage to underlying structures;
• unsatisfactory results that may require additional procedures;
• thrombus formation.

The most common complications of mammoplasty are:

• unevenly spaced nipples;
• breast asymmetry;
• loss of sensation in the nipples or breasts (often temporary, but sometimes permanent);
• capsular contracture;
• inability to breastfeed after surgery.

These risks can be serious or even life-threatening, but they are rare.

When to Seek Medical Care

The doctor or clinic where the operation was performed should be contacted immediately when patients notice any unusual symptoms such as chills and/or fever with fever, excessive bleeding. Excessive breast swelling accompanied by very severe pain are signs of internal bleeding.

Signs of infection include:

• redness, swelling, and pain in the chest;
• intense burning in the chest;
• discharge from wounds;
• chills or high temperature (fever);
• vomit;
• noticeable discoloration of the nipples.

During healing, you need to regularly measure the temperature. Body temperature is a sure indicator of the presence of an inflammatory process. Chest pain and difficulty breathing are also signs of potentially serious complications of mammoplasty.

Complications and restrictions in life after surgery

Implants are not lifelong devices. The longer the period after breast augmentation, the more likely local complications become. The most common local complications of mammoplasty and poor outcome are capsular contracture, reoperation, and removal of the implant. Other complications include tears or deflation, folds, asymmetries, scarring, pain, and infection at the incision site.

If implants are removed but not replaced with new ones, women may experience unwanted breast changes such as dimpling, wrinkling, and loss of breast tissue.

If patients with breast implants notice any pathological changes in their breasts, they should contact their doctor immediately.

The presence of implants slightly increases the risk of developing a rare type of cancer called anaplastic large cell lymphoma in the breast tissue surrounding the implant.

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Mammoplasty is an operation that is performed on a woman's mammary glands. For females, beautiful breasts are a source of pride that gives self-confidence. This is the part of the body that attracts a man in the first place.

The most popular is augmentation mammoplasty, which allows you to change the volume and shape of the breast. There is also a reduction of the breast, this is its reduction and tightening.

The duration of this operation is approximately 2 hours, performed under general anesthesia.

The services of a plastic surgeon are used by young mothers whose breasts have changed their shape after feeding. Mammoplasty surgery solves all aesthetic problems associated with the mammary glands.

How long does it take

The rehabilitation period is the time after the operation, during which the patient must follow certain recommendations in order not to harm the result.

Full recovery after mammoplasty will take approximately two months.

The postoperative wound itself heals within a few days, but the process of engraftment of the implant and the formation of the breast takes longer, usually within 6-8 weeks.

With augmentation mammoplasty, the rehabilitation period usually takes about 6 weeks. This time is necessary for a firm fixation of the implant in the woman's tissues.

Video: Question to a plastic surgeon

What is?

The recovery period after mammoplasty can be divided into two stages.

1. First stage- this is an important period, the first three weeks, when you need to almost completely eliminate physical activity. It is necessary to get rid of the load on the muscles of the shoulder girdle, so it is necessary to constantly wear compression underwear both day and night with a buttoned tape.
2. Second phase- this is the next three weeks, a less strict period, because a slight increase in physical activity is already possible. Such sports as swimming, running are welcome, you can raise your hands, so at this time the patient feels more confident, there is no discomfort associated with the operation.

As a result, six weeks end with the removal of compression underwear, then a woman can choose new underwear for herself, which significantly improves her mood.

Scarring

Scars after surgery are quite normal.

Larger scars can only occur if very large implants have been used.

Mammoplasty is a surgical operation, and any operation is stressful for the body, and therefore it is necessary to take a conscious approach, deciding to take such a serious step, very serious attention should be paid to all factors, especially the rehabilitation period.

Of great importance in the success of the operation and obtaining the desired result depends on the choice of clinic and doctor. The doctor must be a professional and have a lot of experience.

The quality of implants plays a very important role in breast augmentation. More complex and traumatic is the operation, which is done to lift or reduce the mammary glands.

With such a surgical intervention, more incisions are made, and accordingly it requires a longer rehabilitation period.

1. insufficient seam care;
2. refusal to wear compression underwear;
3. Unacceptable physical activity can lead to very undesirable consequences.

The postoperative period depends not only on the qualifications of the doctor and the work performed by him, but also to a large extent on how the patient will follow all the recommendations.

Preparing for the operation, you should be aware of the importance, and be prepared for the fact that you will definitely have to follow the rules, and only if you follow all the recommendations you will get the desired result.

How is the recovery after mammoplasty by day

• The first day after the operation, the patient will be under the supervision of a doctor.

So that in case of complications after surgery or anesthesia, you can immediately receive emergency assistance.

Most likely, the first days you will have to take painkillers, since most women experience pain during this period.

Pain is associated with swelling of the chest and stretching of tissues, muscle damage. Also, the doctor will definitely prescribe antibiotics to prevent purulent complications.

By evening, if the patient is in a satisfactory condition, you can get up and walk around. After three hours you can drink water, and after five hours you can eat a little.

• On the second day, the doctor examines the patient, and, if necessary, a dressing is done.

With a favorable course, hospitalization is no longer needed, and the patient can safely go home, be sure to take with her recommendations for recovery.

• On the third - fourth days, you should follow the home regimen.

It is worth doing the restoration of the body. This will help good nutrition and walks. You can gradually return to your usual way of life. It is useful to engage in normal walking.

A careful attitude to the restoration process ensures the absence of complications and the correct engraftment of implants.

• On the fifth day the patient should come to the clinic for an examination, if necessary, make a dressing, and if everything is in order, then you can go home for a week.
• Then, if there are no deviations, then only on the twelfth day the patient will have a follow-up examination in the clinic.
• Six weeks later, the last examination, evaluation of the result of the operation.

During this time, the patient's sensations returned to normal and it is possible to fully return to a full-fledged active life.

When can you play sports

During the recovery period, your physical activity should be limited.

The first week you can not:

• sleep on your stomach;
• make too sudden movements;
• in particular, it is worth reducing the load on the shoulder girdle;
• you can not raise your arms above your shoulders, bend over;
• it is strictly forbidden to lift weights.

After a week and a half, you can start doing light housework, but you still can’t lift weights and bend over. It is also not recommended to drive for the first two weeks.

Sports activities will have to be stopped for a month in order to avoid displacement of the implant. For a month, you will have to exclude sex.

A few weeks is worth saving yourself and not overexerting yourself. You can return to training no earlier than after four weeks, be sure to consult with your doctor before that.

Loads should be increased gradually, and be sure to wear compression underwear for training.

What is compression stocking for?

Immediately after the operation, the doctor should put on compression underwear, it will help to take the correct shape of the breasts and prevent the displacement of the implants, and also support the breasts.

Compression underwear does not allow the implants to move below the desired level, contributes to their faster fixation, proper breast formation due to a good supporting effect:

• Due to the tight fixation, it prevents the divergence of the seams, and also prevents their stretching and expansion, blood circulation improves, which helps to accelerate healing.
• By reducing sensitivity to touch, it helps to reduce the strength of postoperative pain.

Compression underwear needs exactly the same care as ordinary underwear, so you should purchase at least two sets.

Important! You should not immediately switch to regular underwear, the transition should occur gradually, and you must first consult with your doctor.

In some cases, patients after surgery complain of a decrease in immunity and poor health. Do not be afraid, because during the rehabilitation period your body will have to adapt to the implants.

Often in the first days, patients feel that the sensitivity of the breast is increased, and the nipples are reduced.

Do not worry about this after a while everything will return to normal.

• You should be prepared for the fact that the first few months the breast will be hard, because it gets used to its new state.
• For two weeks it is recommended to give up alcohol.
• Do not worry about trifles, you need to carefully monitor your health.

The most important thing in the recovery period:

1. relaxation;
2. proper diet;
3. walks in the fresh air and the implementation of the doctor's recommendations.

Improving the shape and size of the breasts with the help of surgery gives an aesthetic result of a higher quality than diets, sports and cosmetic procedures. But do not think that it depends only on the art of doctors. After an operation such as mammoplasty, rehabilitation is of great importance. And here the patient must also make an effort.

Read in this article

Medications during the recovery period

The intervention takes place under general anesthesia. So the patient needs the first drugs even before the operation. But even then, recovery requires the use of drugs, which are divided into several groups.

This set of drugs is standard. But the individual characteristics of the patient's body, problems in postoperative recovery may dictate the appointment of additional drugs.

Seam care

Sutures to eliminate the divergence of the edges of the tissues are applied from absorbable or non-biodegradable materials. In the second case, they are removed 7-10 days after the operation. Important in rehabilitation belongs to the healing of sutures, and hence their care.

After mammoplasty, breast tissues change their position, that is, they need to be adapted. If an implant is installed, muscles, fascia
and the skin is stretched, the load on them is increased. This creates the prerequisites for the formation of a noticeable wide scar. To avoid the problem:

• the edges of the wound, in addition to the suture material, are fastened with a plaster;

• treated with antiseptics several times a day;

• are worn to reduce tissue stress.

You can use smoothing agents for the seam only when it becomes light. If you start fighting for its beauty earlier, it is easy to get the opposite effect.

Help with swelling

Breast swelling is one of the inevitable consequences of the operation. The upper part of the mammary glands looks swollen for at least a week after the intervention, and sometimes longer. But rehabilitation after mammoplasty involves fighting this symptom of healing of injured tissues:

• wearing compression underwear that acts like a gentle massage;

• special nutrition, in which there should be a minimum of salt and spices (they cause thirst, that is, the need to drink plenty of fluids);

• washing with moderately warm water, which helps to normalize blood circulation;

• stay in a cool room, avoid overheating of the body;

• protection of the mammary glands from physical contact with anything (except for compression underwear and clothing, which should be free);

• maintaining body weight at the same level.

It is necessary to control the scale of edema. The problem should normally decrease. If the swelling increases, this is already a complication that requires the help of a doctor, and not a side effect.

Physical exercise

Another important point in the recovery period is physical activity. Here you should be careful and consistent in increasing the load:

• The first week it should be minimal. It is strictly forbidden to raise your arms up, carry anything heavier than 3 kg, make sudden movements that affect the upper half of the body.

• You should not drive a car earlier than 2 weeks after the operation. If the steering wheel does not have power steering, then this will have to wait longer.

• After half a month, it is allowed to do simple physical work, if it does not require heavy lifting and sudden movements. With good health, you can close the sick leave, but only on the condition that the activity in the service is related to mental work.

• At the same stage, you should develop your arms and shoulders with the help of the “cheerful little man” exercise. It is the movement of the index and middle fingers along a vertical surface in small “steps”. The total load should be limited to simple walking for the time being.

• After 3 - 4 weeks, if the doctor does not mind, you can proceed to more serious exercises. But the effort involved in this should be minimal.

• After 2 months, you can run, exercise with dumbbells, go to fitness. But also only after consulting a doctor.

For information on when you can return to physical activity after mammoplasty, see this video:

Massage

One of the mandatory methods, which includes rehabilitation after mammoplasty under the muscle, is a massage of the mammary glands. Most often it is prescribed a month after the operation. But in some cases it is advisable to conduct a course and
before. Massage helps to quickly remove swelling, improve overall well-being.

And most importantly, it will help to avoid capsular contracture, that is, the formation of a thick and rigid shell of connective tissue around. Normally, it should be thin and elastic so as not to cause pain and support the endoprosthesis.

They do it with warm hands, the types of manipulations will be prescribed by the doctor. There are several procedures for the procedure after breast surgery, but all of them are aimed at softening the fibrous tissue, improving blood supply. Movements are usually made on the area where the base of the implant is located, stroking, rocking, soft pressure are included.

Skin care

After mammoplasty, breast skin requires special attention. As a result of the installation of the implant, it is greatly stretched. And with a decrease in the mammary glands due to excision of excess tissue, the load on the skin is also great. Therefore, care for it should ensure the maintenance of elasticity, prevent the appearance of stretch marks and other types of irregularities. The skin needs to be nourished and moisturized with creams and masks. They can be used already a week after the intervention, making sure that the composition does not get on the seams. For this purpose, it is allowed to take breast enlargement creams containing many moisturizing ingredients.

A month after mammoplasty, it is permissible to carry out the following procedures:

• Make alginate masks containing a special acid, extracts of medicinal plants, essential oils. They will help to fill the skin with moisture, while maintaining elasticity.

• Use seaweed wraps that contain fatty acids, vitamins, trace elements. With their help, it will be possible to preserve the youthfulness of the skin by stimulating the regenerative processes.

• Apply twice a day serums that promote the production of collagen cells. They will help to increase the elasticity of the skin, making it smooth.

To carry out these manipulations, you can use ready-made formulations intended for home use. It is not forbidden to go to the salon.

Other restrictions

The rehabilitation period after mammoplasty includes not only necessary actions, but also mandatory prohibitions. It is forbidden:

• for the first 2 months, drink alcohol and smoke, as bad habits will prevent the healing of sutures and adaptation of tissues to the implant, and contribute to the delay of edema;

• 4 weeks to go to the bath, take a hot bath, as the heat provokes complications;

• the same period to have sex, because it stimulates the flow of blood to the mammary glands, which will interfere with tissue regeneration;

• reduce or increase your own weight (this can push the deformation of the implant, the occurrence of breast asymmetry, skin problems).

Switching from compression to regular underwear

Beautiful breasts make you want to put on seductive lingerie as soon as possible. But this can not be done for at least 4 weeks after the operation, and for someone up to 3 months. And after the doctor has allowed to part with compression underwear, choosing a bra remains a difficult task. It must meet the following requirements:

• have a cup of sufficient depth, a wide base and the same straps;

• do not cause overheating of the skin, that is, be sewn from natural fabric;

• do not pull the chest, but also do not let it "hang out".

This means that for now it is forbidden to wear push-up and strapless models.

Recovery after breast augmentation is a rather difficult period in which life follows strict rules. And with such an intervention as reduction mammoplasty, rehabilitation is similar to that needed when installing implants. But the reward will be beautiful breasts and excellent health, for which it is worth trying.