1. Wearing a Bra
The advice not to wear a bra might seem strange to you. After all, if your breasts are bigger, they are going to need more support than ever before. But during the first few weeks after surgery, your implants will need time to settle into place and the pocket needs to be lined with the capsule that will form. Wearing a bra, particularly a super supportive underwire bra, can interfere with the settling process and cause the capsule to form only arround the breast implant instead of arround the entire pocket. We want the breast implant to move freely inside the capsule so the breast feels and acts naturally.
2. Drink Alcohol While Taking Medication
There are a few reasons to avoid alcohol right after breast augmentation. For one thing, it can interact with any pain relievers your surgeon prescribes. For the sake of your well-being, skip the glass of wine while you’re taking meds. You may also want to continue to avoid alcohol for a few weeks after you’ve stopped taking pain medication. Alcohol can cause your body to retain fluids. You will likely be swollen enough as it is after your breast augmentation. Drinking can make the swelling worse.
3. Skip Your Exercises
During breast augmentation, your surgeon will place the implant between the chest muscle and the lower part of the breast or under the muscle. They will create a pocket of space in the area to make room for the implant. As your body heals from the surgery, a capsule of scar tissue will form around the implant. Ideally, the capsule will stay loose and supple. If it doesn’t, a condition known as capsular contracture can occur. In severe cases, the contracture can cause the breast to look distorted and can be very painful. To help lower the risk for capsular contracture, your surgeon will show you how to do a number of breast implant massaging exercises after your surgery. It’s important to do these exercises daily, as directed, to improve healing and reduce the risk for complications.
4. Go to the Gym
Although massaging exercises are a must post-op, there are some exercises you’re better off avoiding for some time after surgery. Any sort of strenuous exercise, such as lifting weights at the gym, going to a Barre or Pilates class, or going for a run, needs to be avoided for at least a month after breast augmentation. Your surgeon will let you know for sure when it’s OK to take up exercising again. Although you can’t go to the gym during the first few weeks after surgery, that doesn’t mean you should be a couch potato during that time. Some light activity, such as taking a walk around your neighborhood, is OK. In fact, going for a walk every day is usually recommended, since it will help you bounce back, reduces swelling, and can help prevent blood clots.
5. Smoke or Use Tobacco Products
If you smoked before your breast augmentation, your surgeon most likely had you quit a few weeks before the surgery. It’s also important to continue to avoid smoking for several weeks after breast augmentation. Along with having many drawbacks for your health, smoking can interfere with the healing process after surgery. Nicotine slows down blood flow, which can make it more difficult for your incisions to heal or can make scars more visible. It can also put you at a greater risk for complications during your recovery period.
6. Sleep on Your Side or Stomach
Sleep on your back after breast augmentation, even if you’re usually a stomach or side sleeper. Sleeping on your back minimizes pressure on the implants and can help with healing. You might also find that sleeping with your chest slightly elevated helps reduce swelling more quickly. To keep yourself slightly elevated, prop up several pillows under your back. Another option is to sleep in a recliner, rather than in a bed. If you’re wondering “after breast augmentation, when can I sleep on my sides again?” the answer is soon. Usually, it’s safe to go back to stomach or side sleeping after a couple of weeks. Your plastic surgeon will give you a more accurate idea of when it’s fine to resume your preferred sleep position.
7. Have Sex
Even if you have a naturally high sex drive, you might find that you aren’t interested in sex for a while after the surgery. Your body is likely to be sore or you might not feel comfortable enough to have sex immediately after surgery. That’s perfectly fine, as it’s better to postpone any sort of sexual contact for at least a few weeks after your breast augmentation. After a couple of weeks, when you do resume sexual activity you might find that your breasts are still a bit tender, so be sure to communicate that with your partner.
8. Take a Shower
It is perfectly ok to take a shower after a breast augmentation as the incision site is protected with a waterproof tegaderm. Showers of 5 minutes with warm not scalding hot water are best and encouraged.
9. Take Aspirin
Pain relievers can help you manage discomfort or soreness after your surgery. But some types of pain medication should be avoided following breast augmentation, at least during the first six weeks. Aspirin thins the blood and can make you more susceptible to bleeding. If you’re not sure which types of medication are safe to take immediately after surgery, you can always ask your surgeon for more guidance.
10. Be Sedentary
Some movement is advisable starting a day or two after your surgery. It’s fine to walk around your house or even to take a walk around the block. If you don’t move at all or spend all day sitting or lying in bed, there’s a chance that blood clots will form in your legs. Keep your blood flowing by making an effort to get up and walk a little bit throughout the day.
11. Sun Yourself
It’s a good idea to minimize sun exposure whether you’ve had breast augmentation or not. The sun’s UV rays accelerate the wrinkling and aging process and can also increase your risk of skin cancer. The sun’s rays can darken the incisions near your breasts, causing long-lasting, if not permanent hyperpigmentation. While you might be looking forward to showing off your new figure in a bikini on the beach, remember to take all regular sun precautions. Wait at least a few weeks before spending time in the sun. When you do go out in a bikini or swimsuit, apply lots of sunscreen, with an SPF of at least 30. If possible, spend the day under an umbrella or, better yet, wear a rash guard with UPF protection.