After surgery
You will likely be prescribed painkillers and antibiotics after to reduce the chance of infection.
Your surgeon may recommend a certain type of bra to wear after surgery to promote healing. You’ll also have surgical dressings for the first few days and Steri-strips along the incision lines. Your surgeon will give you instructions about when to remove the dressings and when it is okay to shower. The Steri-strips are usually left in place and will fall off on their own.
As a normal part of the healing process, you should expect:
- Your upper body to feel stiff and sore for the first 2 to 5 days following surgery
- Your breasts to feel tight and sensitive to the touch
- Your skin to feel warm or itchy
- The skin 1 to 2 cm around your incisions to be red (if it spreads beyond this, seek medical attention)
- To see or feel the knot from your stitches at the end of the incision
- Bruising and swelling (this will mostly resolve within a month)
- Feelings of sharp shooting pain, burning sensations and general discomfort
- Your scars to fade over time
The number of check-ups needed following surgery varies from person to person. You’ll likely have one or two check-ups with your surgeon. You can also see your primary care provider about any concerns in the post-operative period.
When you visit your surgeon or primary care provider, they should check your surgical sites to make sure there are no infections or wound-healing problems. They will ask questions about pain, bleeding and fever, and how you are feeling physically and emotionally.
Recovery time (the time it will take you to get back to your usual activities) varies from person to person, so always follow the advice of your own surgeon.
Many people feel comfortable within a week following the surgery, but you’ll need to get plenty of rest in that first week. It is common to return to your daily activities gradually over the next 3 to 4 weeks. Some activities, such as driving, heavy lifting and exercise, may be restricted in the post-operative period. Your surgeon will give you advice about when it is okay to resume these activities.
In some cases, due to healing complications, a surgical revision of a breast construction (breast augmentation) may be needed. You can speak with your surgeon about whether a surgical revision is appropriate. If your surgeon determines a revision is medically necessary, they will apply for funding. MSP will typically only fund revisions that are related to pain or function. Only revisions related to appearance are generally not covered.