If you are concerned about sagging breasts, a breast lift may be able to completely transform your life by assisting in the restoration of your self-confidence. After a successful breast lift, many women report experiencing an increase in both their mood and their level of energy. A woman’s sagging breasts may be an emotionally draining experience and an unpleasant distraction in her day-to-day life and activities.
These reasons, in addition to a great number of others, are what drive women to seek out breast lift procedures from cosmetic surgeons. The great majority of women find that the process of having their breasts lifted is uncomplicated and gratifying, which ultimately leads to a positive outcome.
That being said, here are seven tips for an easier recovery process after your surgery in Toronto.
1. Be Mindful And Take Care Of Your Surgical Incisions
Make sure that any surgical incisions you have are kept clean, and check them every day for any indications of infection. You will be able to take a shower the day following surgery; but, if your surgeon has placed steri-strips over your incisions, he or she may advise you to avoid getting them wet so that they do not come off prematurely. However, your sutures are typically absorbable and are meant to dissolve on their own over the course of one week before they need to be removed.
Avoid submerging your incisions in water until any scabs that may have developed have fallen off. This means staying out of the pool, hot tub, and bathtub for at least two weeks, depending on the kind of sutures you had and your surgeon’s assessment. After having a breast lift, you should refrain from driving for at least three days in order to prevent putting any tension on your incisions, which may lead to bleeding or enlarge scars. Check with your surgeon for the precise time that you should avoid certain things.
2. Be On The Lookout For Any Issues
Even though they are uncommon, it is important to be on the lookout for any symptoms of infection at the incision sites or hematoma, which is an accumulation of blood that has leaked under the skin. In the event that you develop a fever, chills, or a worsening of the discomfort, or if you see severe swelling, bruising, new bleeding, or discharge around the incisions, you should call your surgeon as soon as possible for an examination and the appropriate therapy.
3. Make Sure You Are Taking The Correct Prescription
You will only need to take oral pain medicine for two to three days, after which you may transition to Tylenol. In some circumstances, you could be prescribed antibiotics to take. Avoid taking any medicine, whether it be orally or topically applied, that has not been given the green light by your surgeon. This includes over-the-counter pharmaceuticals as well as herbal supplements. Do not take any blood-thinning drugs, including aspirin, fish oil, or vitamin E, since all of these medicines have the potential to induce bleeding if used.
4. Inquire About The Use Of Natural Therapies
There is some evidence that arnica and/or vitamin K cream or tablets may help lessen the appearance of bruises. It is possible that taking bromelain tablets or drinking pineapple juice can help reduce edema. Make sure to consult with your surgeon first before putting anything on your body of any kind.
5. Remain Calm And Try Not To Let Stress Get In The Way Of Your Recovery
Even while going for short walks on the first or second day is beneficial, you still need to make sure you get enough rest. In order to reduce swelling, try sleeping raised up at an angle of around 30 degrees. It is easier to get the blood flow to your breasts, which is essential for a speedy recovery if you sit up.
If you are concerned that you may roll off of your supported pillows while you are sleeping, you can consider purchasing a bed wedge or a wedge pillow. Avoid sleeping on your stomach at all costs. For the next several days, ask a close friend or member of your family to cook for you, help you reach for items, and lift things for you.
After that, take precautions to avoid putting pressure on the upper body for the next three weeks, and work your way back up to your previous activity level gradually. Contacting your surgeon with any questions or concerns you may have will help you prevent needless anxiety.
You may alleviate some of the discomfort caused by your enlarged breasts and stress by using cold compresses, which are another option for managing the condition. Take care not to impede your recuperation or cause harm to your skin by doing something too strenuous.
Protect your skin by using an ice pack that already has a cover or by wrapping the ice pack in a towel or shirt before applying it. You may leave it on for up to 20 minutes at a time to reduce the swelling, but after that, you should give yourself a break of at least 30 or 40 minutes before applying it again.
6. Maintain A Healthy Diet And Drink Plenty Of Water
If your surgeon recommends that you do so, reduce the amount of salt you consume in your diet. It’s possible that it’ll help keep the swelling at bay. Remember to consume a lot of water, often between 8 and 10 glasses on a daily basis. When recuperating from surgery, the last thing you want is for your energy level to drop, which is exactly what will happen if you do not drink enough water.
Additionally, you may have constipation after surgery; thus, drinking water will be of use to you in this regard. Consume a diet rich in nutritious foods to provide your body with the nutrients and energy it needs to recover in a timely manner. Eat plenty of foods that are high in vitamin K, such as iceberg lettuce, eggs, and yogurt. They are well-known for their ability to speed healing and decrease edema. Because drinking alcohol might promote fluid retention and dehydration, you should abstain from drinking any alcoholic beverages for the next three weeks.
7. Walk To Improve Your Circulation, But Keep Your Upper Body Motions To A Minimum
After surgery, as soon as you are able to move about the home, you should do so; however, you should have a companion with you if you are unstable. Walking and other forms of light exercise reduce the risk of developing blood clots and may help reduce swelling in the body. When you get back into working out, make sure you wear a sports bra that gives you enough support. An intense workout not only causes your breasts to become more strained and swollen, but it also increases the risk of developing further issues.
Have a conversation with your plastic surgeon so that the two of you can devise a strategy that will assist you in returning to your usual activities as soon as feasible without jeopardizing your ability to heal from the breast lift. In the vast majority of instances, you will only need to deviate from your typical schedule for a period of one month.
Additional Advice For An Easier Recovery Process
Talk Things Over With Your Surgical Team
If there is anything that worries you, such a loss of feeling in part of the breast or asymmetry, realize that it is common for these things to happen and that they will likely go away as your body recovers. Nevertheless, you should give your surgeon a call if your problem seems to be an emergency, such as symptoms of infection or a hematoma. You should also make a mental note to question your surgeon about anything that you are unclear about during your next follow-up appointment.
Once Again, Take Good Care Of Your Wounds
As we’ve previously mentioned, take care of your wounds and we can’t stress this enough. Your plastic surgeon should be able to effectively conceal the scars left behind by your breast lift. He will have positioned the incisions in such a way that they are not noticeable while you are wearing clothes. Even after the primary wound has healed, you should keep an eye on the growth of the scar. After the incision has been closed, you may hasten the removal of the scar by using a silicone product, such as a bandage or lotion. Showering regularly can help you maintain a good healing environment for your skin, which is important for preventing infections at the incision sites, which must be kept clean and covered.
During the time that the scar is in the process of lightening, you will also need to reduce the amount of UV light that it is exposed to. It is against the rules to use tanning booths, and it is probable that sunbathing on the beach will have to wait until next year. Sun exposure may cause scars to get darker, so be sure to lather on lots of sunscreen once you have been given the all-clear to wear a bikini and your wounds have finished healing.
Look Into Scar Reducing Treatments
After the healing process has started, you should see your surgeon about scar massage treatments to assist in reducing the appearance of the scar. In the event that you or your surgeon observes a thickening of scars, either injections or laser therapy may be recommended in order to reduce the look of the scar. Scars may not totally disappear for some individuals until years have passed.
Wear Those Clothes Proudly
Put on all of the garments that you have been itching to try on. You can start looking for shirts in your new size, but you should bear in mind that your breasts may continue to settle a little bit and that some swelling may still exist.
Get More Tips For An Easier Breast Lift Recovery In Toronto
Our team would be happy to give you more tips for your recovery. Contact us today or book a consultation to meet with our expert team. We’re looking forward to meeting with you and discussing your procedure!
