Ace Wrap is a company that specializes in orthopedic braces. This case study is about the Ace Wrap After Breast Augmentation
You’ve just undergone breast augmentation surgery, which is an excellent procedure for patients who are unhappy with their breast size and shape. Unfortunately, many patients also experience pain as a result of the surgery, which can last several days or even weeks. In this guide, we review the aspects of Ace Wrap After Breast Augmentation, compression bandage after breast augmentation, how long to wear compression band after breast augmentation, and when do breast augmentation stitches dissolve.
Ace Wrap after breast augmentation is a special bandage that contains acepromazine (ACEE), which is an animal tranquilizer used on dogs and cats in veterinary practices. In human medicine, ACEE has been shown to block the release of chemical neurotransmitters that transmit pain signals from the body to the brain.
How Long To Wear Ace Wrap After Breast Augmentation?
Dressing with Ace Wrap after breast augmentation immediately soothes any remaining discomfort from your surgery. It’s easy to use and can be applied at home by you, so there’s no need for additional doctor’s appointments or trips to the pharmacy!
Patients who have received liposuction need to wear their compression garments for 4-6 weeks after surgery. It is OK to remove the garment for several hours during the day but again, try to wear it as much as you can.
What to Avoid When Using After Breast Augmentation
- Don’t Wear an Underwire Bra– After surgery we will send you home wrapped in gauze and surgical dressing. This will be removed after a few days. Once the gauze is removed you can start wearing a soft cup bra, like a sports bra. Avoid wearing an underwire bra until you are fully healed. The wires can irritate the sensitive breast tissue and keep the implants from settling. Wait until you have the go ahead from your surgeon to start wearing regular bras.
- Don’t Worry about Scarring– Breast augmentation surgery does leave scars, although we make every effort possible to hide and minimize scarring. Right after surgery your scars will be very pink and firm. This will fade in time. Don’t worry about your scars right away. They may appear to widen or grow during the first few months after surgery. This is all normal. Time is needed for your scars to begin to fade.
We are here to help you throughout the breast augmentation surgery process whether you are having breast enhancement on its own or with other procedures as part of a mommy makeover. While there are some great online resources for information, Dr. Haws and Dr. Gingrass want you to feel free to contact them with any concerns after surgery. They are your surgeons and your experts and do not expect you to have to surf the net if you have a post operative concern. They do these surgeries all the time but know this is your only experience. They expect you to call if you have a concern and are available to address it promptly.
compression bandage after breast augmentation
After breast augmentation, the surgeon will give some recommendations and tips for a smooth and flawless recovery. Wearing a compression bandage is part of this recovery process. Read all about the benefits of using it here.
The time has finally come. You have been looking forward to it for a long time and then the day of your breast augmentation has arrived.
The procedure is completely painless under intravenous anaesthetic. The surgeon carefully inserts the implants using our unique MIBIS technique. With an incision of only 2 to 3 cm, this technique is the least invasive, safest and most sterile.
The symmetry is expertly checked one last time. After this, we apply a compression bandage that is tightly wrapped around the breasts.
How long should you wear the compression bandage?
It is important to remember that the efficiency of the compression bandage should not be undervalued. It is a factor that contributes to the outcome that you envision. After approximately two weeks, the bandage will have completed its function and can be removed once more. From that point on, you will be able to take pleasure in your ideal breasts without any restrictions or worries.
how long to wear compression band after breast augmentation
Some plastic surgeons use a ‘band’ or ‘strap’ on the upper aspect of the breasts of patients following the surgery to reduce the fullness of the upper pole of the breasts, or to keep the breast implants from migrating upwards.
These bands and straps became popular among cosmetic surgeons when shaped breast implants were first introduced. This is because upper breast (upper pole) fullness is more common with shaped breast implants because most of these implants are taller than they are wide. This abnormal, excessive upper pole fullness was particularly noticeable immediately after the implants were first put it.
More Discomfort
Most patients find that these ‘bands’ or ‘straps’ cause a significantly higher amount of pain and are uncomfortable to wear without providing much, if any, benefits. Dr. McMahan finds these contraptions to be useful only in the rare instance when a breast implant is slow to settle into position. However, in order for a ‘band’ or a ‘strap’ to be used, the patient should have undergone the breast augmentation procedure at least a week earlier. Normally, after a week following the procedure, a ‘band’ or a ‘strap’ is more comfortable to wear.
For patients who are required to wear a ‘band’ or ‘strap,’ it is normal to have a feeling of tightness during the first couple of days. However, following this time, patients get used to wearing their garment. In fact, some patients find that they like their ‘band’ since it gives a feeling of stability and support.
In patients where there is more fullness in the upper pole on one side or the implant seems to be sitting higher on one side, putting differential pressure on the breasts can improve symmetry and potentially avoid a secondary procedure. In these cases, we find that using a six-inch elastic bandage wrapped around the chest over the breast that has the higher implant and below the other breast. Wearing this bandage firmly, but uncomfortably so, can help to move the higher implant down and prevent the lower implant from dropping any further, improving symmetry.
Symmastia
Your surgeon might advise using a specialized bra to help separate the implants into a more natural position in extremely rare instances where one or both implants have moved too far to the middle and there is inadequate separation of the breasts, known as symmastia. If surgery is required to correct this condition, it is advisable to wear this type of bra for several weeks to prevent it from recurring.
Under the care of Dr. McMahan, the patients do not need a ‘band’ or ‘strap’ to achieve the results they wanted from their breast augmentation procedure. In the vast majority of patients, the breast implants fall into the right place and, following the appropriate recovery time, patients can revel in their new look.
when do breast augmentation stitches dissolve
Suturing – the closure of a surgical incision or wound – is an area of surgical detail that has evolved a lot in recent years. Surgeons can sometimes deliver microscopic threads for sutures that will leave less telltale signs of an incision, but you must remember that all skin penetrating surgeries will leave a scar of some sort – even when you seek to minimise the scar through certain protocols such as Healite II, lasers or Collagen Induction Therapy. But many people have questions about sutures and if it hurts when you get your stitches taken out (suture removal) after a Breast Augmentation or Tummy Tuck Surgery. The good news is, that getting your sutures removed is often one of the easier aspects of the immediate post-op period of having breast implants or an Abdominoplasty surgery. When a skilled nurse or surgeon removes the sutures from eyelid surgery, they are frequently pain-free.
When will your sutures be removed after your plastic surgery? Getting your stitches taken out – does it hurt?
If you get breast augmentation using breast implants, or a breast reduction or a tummy tuck procedure, you will have an incision that will need to be sutured securely whilst your tissues heal from your surgical procedure. And you WILL have a post-op appointment when you get your stitches taken out (unless you had fully dissolvable sutures).
Why do you need sutures in the first place?
The incision closure is performed using sutures – or staples as a way of suturing the tissues together – essentially, a surgical version of ‘sewing’ or connecting the tissues that help enable your skin and underlying tissues to heal properly – ideally in a semi-controlled manner.
Having incisions and proper wound care may also help protect your internal tissues from bacteria or infections.
When will your Breast Augmentation stitches be taken out after you get Breast Implants?
All incisions require care. Each procedure is also different and your surgeon will let you know when to return for your post-op visits and have your sutures removed (your stitches are taken out).
Whatever sutures that are used that are not absorbable, they will typically be taken out within approximately 7 days to a few weeks after your procedure (depending on what procedure you chose to have performed by your Specialist Plastic Surgeon).
An example of how sutures help wounds or surgical incisions heal is illustrated below. But there are many different types of suture approaches. It really does depend on what you’re having performed in terms of your surgery procedure, and your Surgeon’s preferences for that type of incision.
Everyone is different, and for Tummy Tuck or Belt Lipectomy procedures, you will have a different type of suture than you might for a facelift or eyelid lift procedure.
Examples: If you have implants, you will have an incision where the breast implant pocket will be created – as well as sutures (known more commonly as ‘stitches’) to help the incision heal and reduce scarring.
If you have a tummy tuck, you’ll have a scar along your lower abdomen area and potentially also near the navel area. The tummy tuck scar may be able to be hidden under swimwear, undergarments or clothing. But yes, you’ll have a scar – and you’ll have sutures to help the wound heal after surgery. Depending on how your body heals, how much swelling you have, what your post-op period is like and how the scar forms, you may be able to see visible marks where the sutures were (this is common) although over time these do tend to fade for many patients.
Cosmetic Surgery – what sutures will they use? Stitches and sutures in Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery
If you have cosmetic surgery with one of our Specialist Plastic Surgeons, the great news is that you’ll get excellent post-op care including suture removals and scar minimisation protocols at our Hawthorn East or Berwick locations.
Where required for some scars or incision points, a special scar minimisation protocol from your Surgeon’s colleagues at Coco Ruby Skin & Anti-Ageing can make a big difference in how visible the scars are or how rapidly and well they heal.
But some of scar healing is entirely up to you and your body, and will depend on how healthy you are in general and how much you follow post-surgery instructions in relation to caring for your incision area and sutures.
How does Coco Ruby Plastic Surgery and Coco Ruby Skin & Anti-Ageing Team help with scars, if needed?
From Healite II sessions to Dermapen to Fraxel options, there are many ways your Specialist Plastic Surgeon and his skincare team can help you reduce your incision scars, or prepare your skin for the surgery process – or stimulate skin healing afterwards – to help you heal a bit quicker after surgery. Just ask about this during your consultation! Not all surgical procedures require this type of scar minimisation care, but if you have a large scar or a skin type that might benefit from some of the latest minimisation techniques, our top Clinicians at Coco Ruby are available to assist you.
But what about the sutures? What types are there and how are what is good to know about types of stitches and removal of stitches or sutures after a cosmetic surgery procedure?
Suture removal is usually a welcomed part of the surgery process, as getting your stitches taken out means you are well on your way to healing.
That noted, you don’t want to get your sutures removed TOO early – you’ll need to have some patience until it’s time – and you’ll want to follow the specific wound-care and suture care advice given to you by your Specialist Plastic Surgeon and the Nursing team.
Read more below about the key types of sutures or stitches used in plastic cosmetic surgery including Breast Surgery (Breast Augmentation/Breast Implants, Removal and Replacement, Breast Reduction, Tummy Tuck and Facelift Surgery).
For the past several decades, new medical techniques and scar minimisation strategies have developed to the extent that Plastic Surgeons can perform very delicate surgeries and treat many different cosmetic issues and scars in ways that are very different to the past.
Cosmetic Surgery Stitches – First of all, what is a suture?
A suture represents the closing stage of your cosmetic surgery procedure. It is the closing of a wound or of a surgical incision (a cut using a sterile and very sharp surgical blade or in some cases, a laser or other method).
Sutures essentially are the ‘thread like’ techniques to “sew up skin incisions.” They can also be used in surgical repairs of different parts of the body, internally as well as the outer layer of your body (your largest organ, your skin). They can also be used to tie off blood vessels to prevent unwanted bleeding and encourage wound healing in some areas.
Sometimes a ‘staple’ type of wound closure is used and at other times, a surgical thread.
Suture(s) using threads can be created with the help of two different components: a surgical suture needle and a surgical type of thread known as a suture or ‘stitch’.
Your Surgeon should also have the skills to consider the healing process of the incision, although there will always be some unpredictable variety in how each individual patient heals. Remember, no two patients are alike.
Three suture classifications for stitches after Cosmetic Surgery Procedures such as Breast Surgery or Face or Nose Surgery
Sutures can be classified based on (a) their usage, (b) type/production, (c) suture size (diameter). Your Surgeon can choose the best way for treating a specific wound or for the closing of an incision from your plastic surgery or plastic cosmetic surgery procedure.
Sutures – types of needles (what needles will your Plastic Surgeon use to stitch up the surgery incisions)?
There are also different sizes, shapes, and cross-sections for surgical needles. Ask your Breast Surgeon or Tummy Tuck Surgeon to show you some of the suture equipment or the early post-op photos of patients who’ve had these surgeries, if you’re really curious about what they look like. They may look very different to what you envision!
The main distinction of types of sutures or stitches is often based on their ability to be absorbed – or not absorbed – by the body.
Absorbable stitches need to be removed by your Surgeon or more likely, by your Surgeon’s Nurse, each with decades of experience performing this procedure of taking out your stitches after your face surgery, eyelid surgery, tummy tuck surgery, breast implant surgery or other cosmetic procedure.
The good news is that for most plastic surgery procedures and for many patients, getting your sutures or stitches removed after cosmetic surgery is rarely uncomfortable.
Removing your stitches after surgery might ‘tickle’ a little bit but it is rarely uncomfortable for most patients. Most patients find it to be one of the easier and more welcomed aspects of their initial few weeks of healing after surgery.
But here’s more to know about the suture types, themselves.
The timetable for the absorption of the suture by your body depends on the material used for suturing although some other factors may have minor impact on this, and each patient may have a slightly different experience – but in general, there are ranges from a few days to a few months.
What are absorbable sutures made of – and are they natural, animal or synthetic (manufactured)?
Some absorbable sutures come from natural materials and others are manufactured.
For example, catgut (made out of the gut of cattle) sutures dissolve in just a few days, vicryl, in a few weeks, and PDS in a few months. Absorbable sutures depend in usage on the location of the wound or incision. For example, for sutures that are placed internally, it is more useful to use this type of material; otherwise, it would mean that the surgeon would need to reopen your external stitches in order to remove the internal ones.
Non-absorbable sutures are not dissolved by the body and will stay with you forever if the surgeon does not decide it is safe, after your incision has healed, to manually remove them. Usually, these sutures are made of synthetic materials and polymers like nylon, or polypropylene.
Do Breast Bands Help Implants Drop
In the world of breast augmentation, one common concern for patients is the position of their implants. Many women desire a natural-looking result, which often means having the implants settle into a lower, more natural position on the chest. One method that is sometimes recommended to help implants drop is the use of breast bands. But do these bands actually work?Before we delve into the effectiveness of breast bands, it’s important to understand why implants may not drop into the desired position on their own. When implants are first placed, they can sit higher on the chest due to factors such as muscle tightness, swelling, and the body’s natural healing process. Over time, gravity and the stretching of the tissues can help the implants settle into a more natural position.So, where do breast bands come into play? Breast bands are elastic bands that are worn around the chest to apply gentle pressure on the implants, encouraging them to drop into a lower position. The theory is that the constant pressure helps to stretch the tissues and muscles, allowing the implants to settle more quickly.While some plastic surgeons may recommend the use of breast bands, there is limited scientific evidence to support their effectiveness. Some patients may find that wearing a breast band helps their implants drop more quickly, while others may not see much of a difference.It’s important to note that the use of breast bands should always be done under the guidance of a plastic surgeon. Improper use of these bands can potentially cause harm or discomfort, so it’s crucial to follow your surgeon’s instructions carefully.In conclusion, while breast bands may be a tool that some patients find helpful in encouraging implants to drop, their effectiveness is not guaranteed. As with any aspect of breast augmentation, it’s essential to consult with your plastic surgeon to determine the best course of action for achieving your desired results.