It’s been 9 days since my breast lift and I am feeling more and more like me every day. I’m starting to realize that the biggest change is not so much what I look like, but how I feel about myself. My husband has been a huge help in getting me through this process. He’s been encouraging me to take it easy and rest, but he also knows that I have more energy than usual right now, so he’s been great about taking our daughter out on errands while I relax at home.

My recovery has been very uneventful so far, which was my goal all along! The worst part has been getting up in the morning—I get tired easily, so it takes me a little longer than usual to get going each day, but once I do get moving and start working out again, the rest of the day gets better.

I’ve noticed that my skin feels tighter than usual—I imagine this will last for a few months—and because I’m still swollen from surgery, my clothes don’t fit quite right yet (I’ll be posting about how to dress your new body soon!). But overall? It’s just nice knowing that if everything goes as planned

9 days post op breast lift with implants

9 Days post Breast Augmentation and Lift

Hi! So, I’m getting this out a little later than I had anticipated.  Today is 9 days post breast augmentation and breast lift surgery and my second day back to work.  The surgery and post surgical  process has been very eye opening and a learning experience for me, for sure.  I can tell you that I am so excited about what my end result will be and I can’t wait to share the rest of this process with all of you.  Thank you to everyone for their kind words and for checking in on me since my surgery, I definitely am a lucky girl to have so many people supporting me through this process.

Surgery Day

My procedure was first thing in the morning at our Kansas City area Plastic Surgery Center.  I showered that morning and came with no make up or contacts.  I was so excited  and didn’t really have an nervous feelings until I was back in the pre-operative surgical area.  Everything started to definitely feel real at this point.  I changed into my surgical gown, my vital signs were taken and everything was great and Dr. Chhatre came in to do his surgical markings.  Everyone was great! I expected nothing less, but experiencing our staff from a patients point of view was an awesome experience.  Leslie made sure I was comfortable with a warm blanket and explained everything she was doing as she did it and answered all questions I had.  Kim, went over my health history and explained everything I needed to know about anesthesia and what to do after and left me with no questions and made me feel completely at ease and comfortable.  Dr. Chhatre came in and did his surgical markings, which I’ve seen done tons of times so I wasn’t surprised with all of the marks, my husband wasn’t too sure what was going on , but he just sat back and took it all in.  They then brought me into the OR and I got on the surgical table, Kim started my IV, I remember her and I talking about our weekends, then the next thing I know, I’m in recovery.  I remember feeling groggy and feeling a little pressure on my chest, but not much pain.  As you can tell by the pictures, I wasn’t the most glamorous looking patient- look at that hair!!! I’m so glad that I had it planned for Jennifer to braid that mess before I went home.  I don’t really remember much until later that day in the recliner at my house.  Before leaving the office, they gave my husband, Ryan, a sheet of instructions of when and how often to give me my medication and everything he needed to do for my post-op care.

The week following surgery

I split time between the recliner and our spare bed.  I quickly learned that I could NOT use my arms.  The pain was not what I expected at all.  There was a heaviness/tightness in my chest which made it hard to take deep breaths, but the actual pain was on the side of breasts under my arms and the very upper part of my abs.  There was no way I could push myself up in anyway.  Try laying down or sitting up with out using your abs or arms- not happening.  I have to say, I am so lucky to have such an amazing husband, that follows great instruction and did what ever he could to make me as comfortable as possible.  He gave me my scheduled medication every time is was due to try to keep the pain to a minimum.   I slept more than I was awake the first 3 days, which was perfect and I recommend!  I did not see my sweet dogs for  a couple of days but they knew where I was and sat right outside the door waiting.  I started feeling much better after that and able to move around more on my own.  By Friday(surgery was Monday) I was taking no pain medication, just ibuprofen.  I left the house a little here and there over the weekend.  I wouldn’t say I was in pain, just uncomfortable.  I kept ice on when I could, and rested more than not.  I was bored, I’m not one to typically sit around, but I was trying to be as cautious as possible and I also knew I needed to let my body heal.  I think the hardest thing for me is going from such a regimented daily schedule to nothing.  I weigh and measure everything I eat, and I workout  a lot.  This part was what I was the most concerned with and is definitely what I’m struggling with the most.  I haven’t had much of an appetite, so eating has been a little hard for me, but I’m working on getting my meals in and I feel like I’m improving every days. I did go to the gym 1 week after my surgery and I just walked on the treadmill.  I walked a mile at a slow pace- it felt good to be in the gym and moving, but hard to only walk.  I know that this will all be worth it and I will be back to my normal workouts before I know it!

Yesterday(Tuesday) was my first day back to work here in the MedSpa.  I was so ready and excited to a) get out of the house and b) get back on my normal routine.  I had a full day scheduled, which I was so excited about, but…it was rough.  I didn’t think about all of the moving I do during the day.  I can’t tell you how many times I have to pull a heavy door open, or move lasers around or reach for products, by mid afternoon I felt swollen and uncomfortable.  I went straight home and sat with ice and tried to recoup.  I was pretty sore this morning when I woke up, and today is a little slower for me and I’m sitting more with ice when I can.  After talking with Kansas City Plastic Surgeon,  Dr. Chhatre, I probably should have started slow with 1/2 days for the first week, which is too late now, but it’s good to know to tell people based on what they do for a living.  My muscles aren’t sore, I think most of the tenderness I am still feeling is from the breast lift procedure rather than the implants.  I can tell you that while the implants are still sitting pretty high behind my muscle(which is completely normal) and they will for several weeks,  I am THRILLED with the way everything looks this far.  Once the muscles relax and the implants  settle and all of the swelling is down , I really think I will be the perfect size and shape for my frame!

things to avoid after breast augmentation

What Should You Avoid After a Breast Augmentation?

If you’re planning to undergo breast augmentation, congratulations. This is one of the most exciting procedures available to women who want to add or restore feminine curves. And Dustin C. Derrick, MD, the lead plastic surgeon at Cosmetic Surgery of DFW in Fort Worth, TX, specializes in procedures like breast enhancement and mommy makeovers. You can therefore trust you’re in great hands before, during, and after your surgery.

What Should You Avoid After a Breast Augmentation?

After your body experiences a dramatic change, such as that brought by surgery, it needs time to recover. This is why you must take the appropriate time to heal. Equally important, you must also follow the post-op guidelines we provide. These will largely be tailored to suit your individual needs, but some suggestions are universal.

For instance, one of the first recommendations we’ll make is that you refrain from smoking. It’s best to quit one month before surgery, as the chemicals contained in cigarettes can negatively impact your ability to heal and surgery results. Nicotine in particular can put you at risk for infection and damage the capillaries near your surgical wounds. This effect impedes blood flow. If you’ve ever needed a reason to quit smoking, your surgery may provide just that.

Don’t Wear an Underwire Bra

You’ll need to wear a surgical or sports bra after surgery for three to four weeks. The support provided by these garments can keep your breasts in place and help you sleep more comfortably. An underwire bra, on the other hand, can irritate your incisions and prevent implants from properly settling.

With this in mind, you should also delay shopping for new undergarments. You might be tempted to invest in a few lush bras, but you won’t know your new cup size until your breasts ease into their final, more natural position. We recommend that you simply rest and enjoy taking some time for yourself. You’ll have plenty of time to shop for new bras after you’ve recovered.

Don’t Sleep On Your Stomach or Side

The position in which you sleep can greatly impact the appearance of your breast augmentation. This is why it’s crucial you sleep on your back for a short time after surgery. Your body should also be elevated, particularly while you sleep. This enhances circulation, reduces fluid buildup, and keeps the breasts in a more natural position during healing.

Sleeping while you’re elevated can also assist with mobility. You need some upper body strength to get out of bed. But after surgery, we strongly recommend you not use your arm or chest muscles (more on this in a moment). Sleeping upright can keep you from needing these muscles, and many patients sleep in recliners or against a stack of pillows to help them stay in the proper position.

Maximize Your Surgery Results

Sleeping on your stomach or side can apply pressure to your implants and incisions during the recovery process. Rest assured you can return to your normal sleep habits soon enough. In fact, you’ll likely be cleared to return to side sleeping while wearing a supportive bra within just two weeks. Sleeping on your stomach, however, is off the table until a member of our staff gives the go-ahead.

Don’t Take Aspirin

Unless your medical doctor has suggested otherwise, it’s generally not a good idea to take aspirin during your breast augmentation recovery. Aspirin disrupts the normal aggregation of platelets, which can lead to prolonged or abnormal bleeding after your procedure. Additional reasons to skip aspirin as you recover include:

• Anemia
• Nausea
• Potential interactions with prescription medicines

If you were advised by a doctor to take aspirin every day for your heart, you’ll need medical clearance to stop this regimen before surgery. You should never stop prescribed aspirin therapy without your doctor’s guidance. Doing so may increase your risk for a cardiovascular event.

Don’t Take Medications Unless Prescribed

The first two weeks of your recovery are generally the most important. It is for this reason that you must be cautious with the medications you take. The best rule of thumb is incredibly simple: only take those medications prescribed by our office or your doctor. This protocol ensures you don’t take any medications that might interfere with your healing.

Don’t Shower

We know what you’re thinking: showering is a part of good hygiene. But for at least 48 hours, you must avoid this common practice. Incisions need about two days to completely close. Getting incisions wet too soon after surgery can cause them to re-open, interfere with the healing process, and even lead to infections. Once you’re outside of the 48-hour window, you can gently wash your breasts – but don’t scrub or rub the treated areas.

Don’t Swim

Getting into a pool, lake, or ocean can expose your incisions to bacteria, meaning you may be vulnerable to infection. We therefore recommend you resist swimming for a bit and simply relax poolside or walk along the beach. You should likewise avoid jacuzzies and hot tubs to further protect your incisions.

Don’t Sit in the Sun

As you’re outside enjoying nature, you should not expose yourself to the sun. Ultraviolet rays can, again, interfere with the way your incisions heal. Even after you receive clearance to go swimming, you should use caution in the sun. The same is true for tanning beds. Avoid them until we give the necessary approval. Or, better yet, make a conscious decision to stay out of the sun and tanning beds from this point forward.

Don’t Engage in Strenuous Activities

This recommendation is important enough that we’ll likely repeat it a few times. All strenuous activities, especially exercise, must be avoided for about a month. You can and should go walking during this time to encourage strong blood flow throughout your body. But other exercises are off the table.

We’ll likely clear you to engage in lower body exercises after your first month of healing. Then, gradually, you can start to again incorporate upper body exercises.

Don’t Lift Heavy Objects

Most surgeries require that you not lift heavy objects for a while. Breast augmentation is no exception. After your procedure, you won’t be able to carry groceries, pets, or even your child for at least a few weeks. This promotes rapid, healthy healing and beautiful results.

As long as you’re watching what you lift, it’s also important you not raise your arms above your head. This means no reaching for objects or lifting your arms to get into a shirt. With this in mind, you should plan to wear button- or zip-up shirts for a brief time.

Don’t Drink Alcohol

A small amount of alcohol is, for most people, absolutely fine. But you can hasten your recovery by abstaining for a couple of weeks. Alcohol is known to inhibit healing by:

• Impeding the immune system
• Contributing to dehydration
• Increasing the risk of bleeding

Don’t Get Steamy in the Bedroom

It’s best to delay intercourse for a brief time after surgery. You and your partner may want to try, but we recommend you wait. If you do decide to be intimate, you need to wear a sports or surgery bra and avoid placing pressure on your breasts.

Don’t Eat the Wrong Foods

A diet low in protein and vitamin C can put you at greater risk for post-operative complications. Your body needs these nutrients to heal, and vitamin C is crucial to collagen formation. You should therefore choose wholesome foods during your recovery like:

• Leafy greens like kale and spinach
• Red and yellow peppers
• Poultry
• Eggs
• Greek yogurt
• Tomatoes
• Cantaloupe
• Strawberries
• Seafood

If you cannot enjoy a diet rich in these nutrients for health reasons, such as digestive issues, it’s important you speak to our office. We can likely recommend dietary supplements that will provide the nutrition you need without compromising your well-being.

Don’t Neglect Your Rest

We’ve mentioned multiple times that your body needs to rest after breast augmentation. The exact amount of time you need to heal will depend on your body, but most women can safely return to work after about one week.

The time you are at home should be spent relaxing. This means napping when you need to and enjoying plenty of downtime. You’ll probably feel more like your old self after just a few days, but we urge you to continue resting. Your body will thank you by healing more quickly.

Get the Body You Want and the Recovery You Need

Augmentation can help boost your confidence and provide a more shapely silhouette. And with our team by your side, you can count on a timely recovery. Simply follow the post-op guidelines we provide and get the rest your body needs. If you have questions about breast implants or a mommy makeover