5 Things to Expect After Breast Augmentation Surgery
For me, the scariest part of undertaking anything new has been the unknowns and what ifs that enter my mind. Undergoing a breast augmentation is no different. Although the doctor will prepare you for the recovery process, I believe that only someone who has undergone the procedure themselves can truly give you the best of idea of what to expect in your breast surgery recovery. To help ease your mind and give you an idea what to expect in your recovery, here is a list of 5 of the most common things associated with recovery.
- Pain: The type of pain you experience is often related to the location of your implants. If your implants are placed beneath the muscle, expect to have very sore chest muscles and a lot of pressure on your chest. If the implants are placed over the muscle, expect have some soreness and pressure, but no sore muscles.
- Numbness: This is normal and to be expected. Normal sensation should return over time but may take a few days or weeks depending on how your body heals.
- Swelling: As with any surgery, some degree of swelling is expected. Your breasts will be tender and swollen and may be warm to the touch. It is important to remember that everyone is different and the amount of swelling will vary from person to person.
- Bruising: Often a byproduct of the cauterization of blood vessels by the surgeon, bruising is completely normal and its extent varies. Like swelling, the amount of bruising is unpredictable as it depends on each individual.
- Zingers: Sharp, shooting pain in your breasts are known as zingers. These are quite common after surgery and can last up to a few weeks. Don’t be alarmed by this pain as they are actually a good sign that your body is healing.
Your surgeon may go into more detail on what to expect but I hope that these five common recovery experiences put you at a bit more ease going into your procedure. Although we can never predict exactly how your body will react, having an idea of what to expect will allow you an educated perspective and keep you calm during your recovery process.