Breast augmentation can help you feel more confident about your appearance by increasing the size of your breasts. If you’ve long had difficulty finding clothing that fits or have felt embarrassed about being “flat-chested,” breast augmentation can help.
Managing Pain and Swelling After Breast Augmentation
Although swelling and pain can be signs that your body is working hard and healing itself, you don’t want to be in constant discomfort during the recovery period. Fortunately, there are things you can do to reduce swelling and relieve pain during the initial part of your recovery. Applying a cold compress to the area around your incisions will help bring any swelling down. You can ice the area for about 40 minutes at a time, then take a 20-minute break. Although we’re using the term “ice” here, we don’t mean you should put ice cubes or an ice pack directly on your skin. Ice is actually too cold and will make you more uncomfortable. Instead, wrap an ice pack in a thick towel or fill a bag with ice cubes, then wrap it in a towel before applying it to the area. Cold helps bring down swelling but heat makes inflammation and swelling worse, according to the Cleveland Clinic. During the first days after surgery, avoid using anything too warm on the area near the breasts.
That includes taking hot showers or using a hot washcloth when bathing. You have a few options for managing pain and discomfort after breast augmentation. It helps to be aware of your own level of pain tolerance going into the surgery. Some people find that they can tolerate pain quite well and only need an over-the-counter medication. Others prefer a prescription medication, which can be a little stronger, to help them manage post-surgical pain. Different types of medicines treat pain differently, as the Mayo Clinic notes. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen, help to reduce inflammation and relieve pain. Some medicines, such as opioids, change the way your body perceives pain. You might be concerned about taking opioid medications to help manage pain after breast augmentation. If that’s the case, you have other options. Your plastic surgeon can prescribe an NSAID or other pain reliever to help you cope with the pain.