Understanding the post-op symptoms after breast augmentation mammoplasty and what they mean can be confusing. Recovery is a journey that all patients undergoing breast augmentation mammoplasty surgery will experience. Every patient will have a unique experience and no recovery will be the same as another. There are however certain guidelines that patients can follow to help their recovery and avoid and manage complications. This blog post aims to outline the common symptoms of recovery after breast augmentation mammoplasty surgery and distinguish between what’s normal, and what’s not. It is important to take this information as a general guide. You should always contact your operating surgeon if you are unsure about anything during your recovery.
Normal Symptoms
Breast augmentation mammoplasty recovery is known for its wide array of weird and wonderful symptoms. It can be confusing to distinguish between which are normal and which are a cause for concern.
Pain
After breast implants it is completely normal to feel discomfort and pain. Pain will come in varying levels depending on the individual’s pain threshold, skin type, and more. Pain is generally very manageable with the right pain relief. It’s not uncommon for this pain to also relate to a feeling of being “’sunburnt” in the chest. The stretching of the skin from the breast implant can create this feeling and is totally normal. Gently massaging the breasts with bio oil or vitamin e cream can be an effective remedy for this symptom.
One of the most common symptoms that patients contact our Brisbane plastic surgeon clinic about is shooting pains. It’s extremely common for patients to have intermittent tingling and sharp shooting pains up until one year after surgery. This is nerve regeneration and is a great sign that you’re recovering well.
Bruising and Swelling
Bruising and swelling are part and parcel of recovery. It is completely normal for patients to have some degree of swelling in one or both breasts. Bruising can also appear down the torso and surrounding areas of the breasts. There are some cases in which swelling could be a concern, so keep reading to find out when it should be flagged with your surgeon.
Minor drainage from the breast implant incision on the first day is normal. However, any excess drainage after this point should be flagged with your surgeon. It’s important to keep any dressings on until your first post-op appointment. This is to aid your body’s healing in this important stage of recovery.
For the first month or more after surgery your breasts will certainly feel swollen and sensitive to touch. It’s important to take care of yourself. Avoid physical contact with the breasts as much as possible for the first 6 weeks. This helps to ensure you are not doing any damage and that the capsule around your breast implants is developing normally.
One of the unexpected and often latent symptoms of breast augmentation mammoplasty recovery is feeling moody or anxious after surgery. Not only is the decision to undergo breast augmentation mammoplasty surgery a significant emotional journey, but the process of anaesthesia and invasive surgery has an undeniable impact on the body. Healing through this phase and adjusting after invasive surgery can cause emotional changes, which for most people are temporary.
Abnormal Symptoms
While there are many breast augmentation mammoplasty recovery symptoms that are completely routine and normal, it’s most important to understand which symptoms may be of concern and should always be flagged with your operating surgeon. If any of the following symptoms occur it’s important to not panic. In most cases with early detection and treatment the symptoms are manageable.
If one of your breasts suddenly swells significantly and becomes tense, you may have a haematoma. This swelling may be accompanied by large dark bruising. A haematoma is an abnormal collection of blood outside a blood vessel. Haematoma can occur during recovery potentially as a result of physical trauma to the breast. If you experience this sudden onset swelling you should contact your surgeon right away to ensure they can manage any complications quickly and efficiently.
Increased severe pain, feeling feverish, widespread redness, or an offensive discharge coming from the wound are all telltale signs of breast implant infection. Antibiotics can treat infection if caught in its early developing stages. If infection worsens, you may require IV antibiotics at the hospital. In severe cases, the breast implant may need to be removed. It’s extremely important in this case to flag any suspicious redness, severe pain, or offensive discharge with your surgeon. Another common sign of breast implant infection is when the breast is warm to touch or has a red rash. This will be one of the first questions your surgeon or the nurse will ask you if you have a suspected infection due to redness or other symptoms.
Urgent Care Required
If you are feeling light headed after surgery, experience dizziness, nausea or vomiting you should contact your surgeon immediately. You should also contact your surgeon immediately if you see a change in colour in your legs or arms to a red or blue tinge, are experiencing cramps in your legs or swollen painful legs. If you have trouble breathing you should seek medical help or call 000.
What to do when abnormal symptoms occur
A very important aspect of recognising abnormal symptoms is developing a prudent judgement when it comes to notifying the right people. If you have symptoms that you are concerned about such as you suspect you may have an infection or may have a haematoma, call your surgeon. If you think you might have a blood clot or are having trouble breathing, moving, or are in severe pain, call 000.
Conclusion
The general consensus of patients who have undergone breast augmentation mammoplasty recovery is that it is much easier and less painful than expected, however it’s important to equip yourself with the right information. This involves developing a thorough understanding of the symptoms surrounding breast augmentation mammoplasty recovery and when you should seek help from your surgeon or other medical professionals. If you have any questions regarding breast augmentation mammoplasty in Brisbane and the recovery involved, don’t hesitate to contact the Brisbane Plastic Surgeon today.