Know the Long-Term Risks of Breast Implants
The FDA has identified an association between breast implants and the development of breast implant-associated anaplastic large cell lymphoma (BIA-ALCL), a type of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.
Some plastic surgeons recommend wearing a surgical or sports bra after breast enhancement. However, other surgeons may advise not to wear a bra after surgery and for up to a month afterward. Some surgeons say not to wear a bra at first because the implants need time to 'settle in.
The biggest reason many women prefer silicone implants is because they look and feel more natural than saline in most cases, particularly in thin patients. The gel has a more convincing consistency that feels realistic.
Silicone breast implants tend to feel more like natural breast tissue than saline alternatives. This is particularly true of the form stable (“gummy bear”) breast implant, which is filled with a cohesive gel that mimics the feel of natural breast tissue almost perfectly.
When you first wake up from your breast implants surgery, your new breasts will likely be high up on your chest and feel hard to the touch. Don't be alarmed; this is completely normal, and your newly augmented breasts will eventually settle and soften, typically within 6 months. Read on as Dr.
In the first 1 to 2 weeks, you can use your arm normally up to shoulder height for light activities, such as face washing, hair brushing and eating. But avoid lifting your arm above the height of your shoulder. Don't lift anything heavy, but you can use your arm to lift a cup of tea.
Back to Work: 1-2 Weeks
Most likely, you'll feel ready to get back to non-strenuous work a few days after surgery, but it's best to wait a week to give your body a little more time to recover. Even just sitting at your desk all day may be surprisingly fatiguing in the first week or two after breast augmentation.
Avoid bras that apply pressure to these incision areas for at least three months. At first, we recommend sleeping without a bra, unless that bra was provided by your surgeon. After a six week period, patients may sleep with a bra if they find it more comfortable.
After breast augmentation, many women find it difficult to sleep, especially if they're used to sleeping on their stomachs. Discomfort, getting used to a new position, worrying about injuring themselves can all play a role in getting the rest you need to heal.
TAKE SHOWER (no tub bath) with soap and water. It is ok to get the incisions wet and soap on them. It helps to have a plastic chair or stool in the shower to sit when you shower. Also it is advisable to have someone else there with you to help.
Breast implant illness (BII) is a collection of symptoms that occur in people with breast implants. There isn't an official medical diagnosis for BII. Symptoms may include fatigue, joint pain, brain fog, dry eyes and many other health concerns. Healthcare providers diagnose BII by ruling out other health conditions.
Many have described it as a cramping type of pain, which can be helped with a muscle relaxant such as Valium. The actual incisions for the implants (which are usually an inch to inch and a half or so for a saline implant, and 2 – 2 1/2 inches for a silicone implant), have minimal pain.
Painful or uncomfortable implants can indicate a number of issues that require a breast implant revision, including capsular contracture, damaged lymph nodes, a developing seroma, pinched nerves or poor implant placement. If you have silicone implants, pain may be a sign your implant has ruptured or is leaking.
Both saline and silicone breast implants are considered safe. Research on how safe both types of implants are and how well they work is ongoing.
After surgery, avoid salt, sugar, caffeine, alcohol, and refined carbohydrates for at least a month. After three days you can resume any vitamin or herbal supplements. The closer you follow the guidelines above, the better your surgical experience and recovery will be.
According to Men's Health, the biggest tipoffs that men look for to determine if a woman has had breast augmentation surgery are based on sight alone. Indicators include the breasts being too close together, appearing abnormally large, or sitting too high on a woman's torso.
Don't do any exercise that will tighten your chest muscles. If you have any questions about this, talk with your doctor or nurse. Don't lift any objects heavier than 5 pounds (2.3 kilograms) for 4 to 6 weeks. Check with your doctor or nurse before starting heavy exercises, such as running, jogging, or lifting weights.
Your First Week after Augmentation
You will see very little side or bottom rounding of the breasts, often looking square, with little outward projection and minimal bottom fullness. Have no fear! This is all normal.
This capsule, made of primarily of collagen, can contain some scar tissue which, over time, may harden and squeeze the implant. This condition, known as capsular contracture, can produce discomfort and can alter the appearance of your breasts.
The truth is that the nipples are kept on what we call a pedicle – a blood supply with an artery and a vein to allow the nipple and areola to get blood and oxygen. So, the nipple and areola are moved upward with breast tissue and soft tissue surrounding it. The entire mound gets elevated. There is no “cutting off”!