If you’ve been contemplating breast implants, but are concerned about the recovery aspect and time spent away from your family, friends, and life, we have good news for you. Thanks to advanced plastic surgery techniques, the recovery for breast augmentation surgery is easier and quicker than ever. The rapid recovery technique, an advanced method being adopted by top plastic surgery centers, allows patients to resume their normal activities soon after the procedure and experience minimal downtime. Dr. Jules Walters in New Orleans, LA, has performed numerous rapid recovery breast augmentations and patients are thrilled with not only the results, but also with how quickly they’re able to bounce back from the procedure.
Rapid Recovery Breast Augmentation
A rapid recovery breast augmentation allows New Orleans area women to have less downtime and a shorter recovery time when compared to breast augmentation protocols of the past. This technique involves several factors, including the type of pain medication prescribed, how the surgery is performed, and post-operative instructions that allow patients to be mobile faster.
Surgeon Technique During Surgery
Today’s silicone implants are engineered to fit individual patient body types better. In the majority of cases, the implants are placed under the pectoralis muscle in order to put a layer of muscle between the implants and breast tissue. Placing the implants behind the muscle carries many benefits, keeping them protected, intact, safe from bacteria, and reducing encapsulation. While this method may have caused more post-operative discomfort in the past, new surgical techniques are used today that help with this, which is why surgeon skill is so important. During surgery, meticulous dissection is performed to create the pocket for the implants with minimal bleeding and trauma to the surrounding tissue. Additional care is taken so that during surgery the ribs are not touched, which can cause additional post-operative pain.
New Post-Operative Protocols
The main objectives of a rapid recovery breast augmentation are to reduce the amount of swelling that occurs after the procedure, and to minimize the pain and stiffness by stretching and moving the arms over the head, which in days past was not a part of the protocol. Various low-impact arm and chest movements are recommended immediately following the surgery to prevent the implants from resting in the same place for too long and to allow patients to be mobile and remain flexible. Staying on top of anti-inflammatory medication is helpful and recommended to help reduce the discomfort you experience following the procedure. Often, no narcotic pain medication is necessary.
How Does All of This Differ from Typical Recovery?
Breast augmentation procedures were typically associated with prolonged recovery times, along with a good amount of swelling and discomfort which need to be treated with pain medication. After a rapid recovery breast augmentation procedure you can expect to resume your normal activities within 24 – 48 hours. Some patients are even able to go out to dinner the same day of surgery. You can also return to work in as little as 2 – 3 days. As long as you’re staying on top of the stretches you won’t have much of a need for narcotic pain medication. Failure to continue the stretches or forgetting to take the medication when necessary may prolong the recovery time. You can return to the gym within a few days, but the activity will remain light (such as cycling or walking on a treadmill) for a period of about 4 weeks. A sports bra with extra support will need to be worn.
Some Perks of a Rapid Recovery Breast Augmentation
- Less pain and discomfort
- No post-op drains or tubes
- Prescription pain medication isn’t necessary
- Smaller incisions
- Normal range of motion following the procedure
- Quick recovery time
- Go shopping or out to dinner that night or the very next day
Am I a Good Candidate?
A good candidate for a rapid recovery breast augmentation procedure is a non-smoker who is in good physical health. Understanding post-operative protocols are also important and to follow them while recovering at home to expedite the recovery time. If you’re interested in moving forward with larger implants it’s good to know that rapid recovery is still possible, but some surgical cases may result in a little more discomfort. The larger the implant, the more stretching of the skin that will have to occur. If you fail to follow recovery instructions your recovery time may be jeopardized and you can expect it to take longer and with additional discomfort.
How Can I Find Out More?
There’s no longer a reason to put off a breast augmentation procedure when you can be back on your feet in record time. We understand that patients have careers and families that they need to get back to and prolonged recovery time isn’t an option.
If you’d like to learn more about a rapid recovery breast augmentation procedure then give our New Orleans plastic surgery office a call to arrange a consultation. You can meet with Dr. Walters and discuss your goals and desired results. Dr. Walters will also conduct a physical examination in order to determine whether or not you’re a good candidate for this procedure. You will also use this time to determine which size implants you’d like to move forward with. Risks, recovery time, and pricing will all be addressed during your consultation and Dr. Walters will answer any questions that you may have about the procedure.
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