After breast augmentation, it is best to avoid bathing or showering for a few days to allow your body to heal and reduce the chance of infection. When you do shower, you should take Care when washing your incisions and massage very gently or not at all.
You can use a mild, fragrance- free, non-abrasive soap and water to clean your body and rinse your chest area. Be sure to use warm water, not hot, to protect the healing skin around yours incisions. Do not use a loofah, scrubbing brush or any type of hard sponge.
Dry your incision area gently with a clean towel. Do not use a hairdryer to dry the incision area. If your doctor recommends using an antiseptic solution, you can do so after patting the area dry. Lastly, check your incisions daily for any signs of infection and contact your doctor if you experience any redness, pain, discharge or swelling in the area.
How long after breast augmentation can I submerge water?
After your breast augmentation, you should wait for at least three weeks before submerging your breasts in the water. This waiting period will allow your body to heal and the implants to settle. Most medical professionals advise waiting for longer periods, at least six weeks post-surgery before participating in activities such as swimming and water sports.
During the healing process, your body is adjusting to the implants and the incisions. Any activity that increases pressure on the area can cause the implants to shift, so submerging the breasts in water may be a bad idea.
As you consider long exposure to water and other activities, be sure to consult with your doctor who can provide advice specific to you and your surgery.
How do you shower with stitches in your breast?
When showering with stitches in your breast, the most important thing to remember is to follow your doctor’s instructions and take proper care of the wound. The main goal is to prevent the area from getting wet and reducing the chances of infection.
First, if you are instructed to do so, apply a thin, waterproof or water-resistant dressing to the wound. Make sure the adhesive tape used to secure it is not too tight, and be aware of any irritation it might cause.
If you are only allowed to cover the stitches with a loose bandage, you should do this before showering. This will help to keep the area dry and protected. Loosely securing the bandage while still allowing some air to reach the wound may help to promote faster healing.
When in the shower, you should be gentle to ensure that the stitches are not disturbed. Avoid rubbing the area with a towel and try to avoid extremely hot water. Once you are out of the shower, the area should be patted dry with a soft towel to avoid friction and keep the wound clean.
Be sure to follow all the instructions given by your doctor to keep the wound clean and dry and promote proper healing.
Can I wear a sports bra instead of surgical bra?
No, you should not use a sports bra instead of a surgical bra. A medical-grade surgical bra typically provides increased support and compression in places where you need it the most, such as around the ribs and chest.
A sports bra does not offer the same level of compression and support and cannot be used as a long-term solution for post-surgery recovery. As well, it’s not designed to stay in place for long periods of time, unlike a surgical bra which is designed for support and stability during recovery.
You should only wear medical-grade surgical garments that are designed specifically to lend maximum comfort and promote faster and better recovery. Talk to your doctor to determine the best recovery options for you.
Does it hurt to have drains removed after breast surgery?
The answer to this question depends on the type of breast surgery you had and how you responded to it. Many people who have had drains inserted after breast surgery don’t experience pain or discomfort when the drains are removed.
The drains are typically used to help collect and remove any extra fluids that may have accumulated during and after the surgery. When the drains are removed, your doctor will usually apply pressure and massage the area to ensure all the fluids have been drained.
This can cause a small amount of discomfort, but most people don’t experience pain. If you have experienced a lot of swelling, you may experience some soreness when the drains are removed, but that should be temporary.
Ultimately, you should consult your surgeon to determine whether it will be painful or uncomfortable to have your drains removed.
What is the stringy stuff in my surgical drain?
The stringy stuff in your surgical drain is likely surgical gauze. Surgical gauze is a medical absorbent material used in the care and treatment of wounds. It is made from cotton or polyester and is used to absorb blood, exudate, and other body fluids.
In addition to its absorbent qualities, surgical gauze is also often used to compress and hold a wound in a dressing or to provide a sterile barrier between the wound and any further medical interventions.
It is also commonly used to fill body cavities and surgical drains or retain parts of a dressing in place. This can be the case when surgical gauze is combined with absorbent material, like a foam or cotton pad, and placed in a drain placed directly into the drained area.
What happens after drains are removed?
Once the drains have been removed, you may experience some brief discomfort as it can cause some pulling or tugging on the incision line or tightened skin. Your incisions will need to be covered until the sutures are removed and the healing process begins.
Areas of swelling, bruising, or discoloration around the incision site may take weeks to resolve. During this time, you will need to clean your incisions regularly to reduce the risk of infection. Additionally, you should minimize activities that may cause excessive swelling or discomfort on the area, such as prolonged sitting, standing, or exercise.
It’s also important to keep the area dry and moisturized, as dryness can lead to scarring. Your doctor may prescribe ointment to help with the healing process, or recommend specific types of clothing or compression to promote proper healing.
Additionally, you may receive instructions on how to massage the scarring to reduce any visible scar tissue. After several weeks of recovery, you should be able to return to your regular activities.
How much drainage is normal after surgery?
Following surgery, the amount of drainage one may experience varies depending on the type of surgery they have undergone. Generally, it is normal to expect some fluid drainage following an invasive surgery, and the amount will typically be less than 10 milliliters per hour and should not have an offensive smell.
This drainage may consist of blood, lymphatic fluid, and serous fluid coming from the wound site.
The drainage should not be more than slightly pink in color and it should not produce a strong odor. If there is a large amount of drainage, if it is bright red in color, or if it has an unpleasant smell, the patient should contact their healthcare provider.
If any drainage is ongoing after 24 hours, a light dressing should be applied to the wound to help absorb the drainage. The dressing should not be too tight – it should be changed as necessary.
In some cases, drains may be left in for a few days following surgery to aid in flushing out the wound. These drains are typically removed as soon as any drainage stops or is a low enough volume to be easily managed.
If the patient experiences any signs of infection such as redness, swelling, and fever, they should contact their healthcare provider immediately.
What happens if JP drains come out too early?
If the JP drains come out too early, it can be a sign of an infection. This is because the JP drains have a negative pressure that can draw bacteria and other infection-causing organisms into the body.
If the JP drains are removed before the infection is fully resolved, bacteria can spread and become more severe. In some cases, this can cause inflammation or abscesses to form. These can be painful and difficult to treat, and can require medical intervention.
Depending on the severity of the infection, long-term antibiotics or even surgery may be necessary to clear it up. In the worst case scenario, an untreated infection can spread to other parts of the body or lead to serious or life-threatening complications.
Therefore, it is important to follow the doctor’s instructions and wait until the infection is completely gone before removing the JP drains.
How long should a JP drain stay in?
The length of time for a JP drain to be left in will vary depending on the circumstances surrounding its placement within the body. Generally, a JP drain should be left in until wounds have fully healed and are no longer draining fluid.
This is usually assessed by a healthcare provider, who will need to perform a physical exam of the wound, take into account its rate of healing and review any laboratory tests that might have been ordered.
In some cases, a JP drain may be left in place for approximately one week or more until the wound has sufficiently healed. In other cases, the JP drain may be taken out sooner if the patient’s condition has improved, or if there is an increase in the amount of fluid produced.
If in doubt, it is best to consult a healthcare provider for further guidance.
What activities can you not do with breast implants?
Once you’ve had breast implants inserted, there are certain activities that you will need to avoid, due to the risk of damaging or displacing the implant. In general, it is best to avoid activities that involve a lot of jumping, such as running, jumping jacks, basketball and volleyball, and any contact sports, such as football and rugby.
You should also refrain from activities that cause your chest to vibrate or your body to jolt, such as rollercoasters or other amusement park rides, motor sports, water skiing and heavy weightlifting, as this can cause the implant to rupture or tilt.
Additionally, you should wait at least three months before participating in any of these activities, as the breast implant needs time to settle into place.
Is it OK to run with breast implants?
Yes, it is generally safe to run with breast implants. However, it is important to consider any specific restrictions your surgeon may have advised in your post-surgical care. Generally, it is best to avoid any contact sports or movements that put too much strain on the chest.
Running can be done carefully and with caution, provided it is not too strenuous. When you begin running after surgery, it is best to start slow and gradually increase intensity. Make sure to wear a supportive sports bra and pay attention to your body’s signals.
If you feel any pain or discomfort, stop and take a break. Talk to your doctor if you have any questions or concerns about engaging in physical activity after your surgery.
Can exercise damage breast implants?
No, exercise itself does not damage breast implants. However, it is important to take certain precautions to ensure the safety of your breast implants before and after exercise.
Before exercising, it is best to wear a supportive front-closing sports bra to reduce the impact of physical activity on the breast implants. Make sure the sports bra fits properly and is suitable for the type of exercise you are participating in.
Additionally, you should avoid breast implants bouncing as this could cause discomfort and impact the safety of the breast implants.
After exercising, it is a good idea to rinse off the area around the breast implants to ensure all sweat and bacteria have been removed. As with any other activity, you should also not forget to drink plenty of water.
Overall, exercise itself won’t damage breast implants but it is important to take precautions to ensure the safety of your implants. Wearing a supportive sports bra, avoiding bouncing, and thoroughly cleaning the area are all important steps to take before and after exercising.