Undergoing breast augmentation surgery can enhance your curves and your confidence. It’s one reason why it’s the most popular cosmetic surgery procedure in America. That said, Lake Country Plastic & Hand Surgery patients will note some pain and other side effects after getting breast implants. That is why they will be prescribed pain killers while they heal.
Dr. Tracy E. McCall would like to go over the issue of pain after getting breast implants. The team at our Waukesha, WI plastic surgery center can provide more insight into patient recovery during the consultation process.
How Bad Is Pain After Breast Augmentation Surgery?
Pain is to be expected following any kind of surgical procedure. It’s normal for the chest and breasts to feel sore after surgery. You might notice soreness as your chest is getting used to the implants, and even lingering numbness and other sensations in the weeks following surgery. This is normal.
The discomfort following breast augmentation can be managed with a combination of pain medication and proper aftercare. Most patients will require pain medication in order to rest with relative comfort for the initial days of recovery.
Prescription Pain Killers
Prior to surgery, we will prescribe you pain killers to help manage the soreness in the crucial first few days of healing. Be sure to fill this prescription prior to your surgery date. This will ensure your pain relievers are ready to use as soon as you return home from surgery.
Always Follow Instructions for Prescription Medications
While the pain may be rather intense in those first days of recovery, it’s important that you only take your prescription pain killers as instructed. Never exceed the recommended dosage.
If you experience excessive discomfort and pain killers are ineffective, you can contact our Waukesha plastic surgery center right away. We will look into the issue as soon as possible in case it’s an indication of a medical emergency.
Over-the-Counter Pain Medication
Patients will notice improvements in the severity of their pain over the course of a few days. As the recovery process continues, patients can switch to over-the-counter pain relievers. During your first follow-up visit at our practice, we can get an idea of if you will still need prescription pain killers or if you can transition to over-the-counter pain medications.
Good Over-the-Counter Pain Relievers After Surgery
Your best options for over-the-counter pain relief after breast enlargement are non-opioid analgesics (Tylenol). You can also take nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS), such as ibuprofen (Advil), naproxen sodium (Aleve), and celecoxib (Celebrex).
Bad Over-the-Counter Pain Relievers After Surgery
While some drugs are good after surgery, some are bad for you. Be sure to avoid aspirin and products that contain aspirin, such as Bufferin, Anacin, an Excedrin. Aspirin thins the blood, which can have a negative effect on your body’s ability to heal quickly.
How Long Will I Need to Take Pain Relievers?
Generally, patients can expect to use pain medication for the first week or so after their surgery. Pain thresholds and recovery times can vary, so be sure to be attentive of your body’s needs and to follow your surgeon’s instructions closely.
Other Methods of Managing Pain After Surgery
In addition to pain medication, getting ample rest is helpful for pain management. Wear your surgical bra as much as possible, and avoid any strenuous activity or bending at the waist.
We also recommend walking a little bit each day to help with circulation and blood flow as you are healing. This tends to lead to falser recovery and a lower risk of blood clots and other complications.
Learn More About Breast Augmentation
For more information about recovering from breast augmentation surgery and how to improve the healing process, be sure to contact a skilled cosmetic plastic surgeon. Lake Country Plastic & Hand Surgery can be reached in Waukesha by phone at (262) 546-8170.
