Breast Augmentation 101: Getting Your House & Life Ready for Breast Augmentation Surgery

Will you be taking the breast augmentation plunge in the new year? Consider yourself virtually high-fived. No doubt you’re excited about the changes to come!

Of course, before you are ready to hit the town with your new curves, you will need to recover. The good news is that it’s typically a swift, smooth process—our Little Rock breast augmentation patients return to work within a week on average. However, for a few days, you’ll be sore and moving pretty slowly, so it’s important to focus on taking care of yourself.

While the temporary hiatus on things you normally do with ease can be a little frustrating, it’s essential to heed your cosmetic surgeon’s instructions before and after surgery to avoid complications and ensure that your results heal beautifully. Luckily, there are simple things you can do to prepare for breast augmentation surgery and get your house, your family, and even your wardrobe ready for a smooth and relaxing recovery.

First, prep your recovery crew (a.k.a., your family & friends)

Every single breast augmentation patient needs at a minimum one trusted adult to help them on their surgery day and for 24 hours after. This person will need to drive you to and from the surgery center, help you get in and out of the car, and keep a close eye on you for the first 24 to 48 hours as the normal grogginess and other effects of anesthesia wear off. Often, this is a spouse/significant other or family member, but you can also recruit a close friend—or even hire a nurse, if you live alone and wish to keep your procedure totally private.

If you have young kids, explain to them that you won’t be able to pick them up for a little while, but you can give gentle snuggles on the couch.

If you have kids, you’ll need to arrange for full time childcare for a few days, and you will need extra help for a couple more weeks after that. Why? Because you will not be allowed to lift anything over about 10 pounds to avoid straining your incisions (and possibly stretching your scars or worse). If you have young kids, explain to them that you won’t be able to pick them up, but you can give gentle snuggles on the couch. Delegate tasks such as getting the kids dressed, bathed, fed, and off to school to a trusted adult.

Don’t forget about your furry family members. While it’s okay to pet them, or even let your cat sleep in your lap, you should avoid things like scooping the litter pan or walking the dog (in case she pulls on the leash) to protect your healing results. Pet care is a great way for your little ones to help out and feel like a part of your breast augmentation recovery process.

Create a comfy breast augmentation recovery “lounge”

You’ll need a comfortable place to rest that:

• Is easy for you to get in and out of without straining or overusing your arms
• Does not run the risk of rolling over onto your chest if you fall asleep
• Allows you to move your legs (i.e., you don’t want to be pinned in)

You will need to rest and sleep on your back with your head and shoulders slightly elevated for several weeks after breast surgery. This avoids squashing your breast implants or straining your incisions and helps ease pressure from post-op swelling.

Your lounge can be your bed, with a bunch of pillows arranged to prop up your head, back, shoulder, and arms, or a recliner with a cooperative “up and down” bar. Have a table within easy reach and clear it off pre-surgery: you want plenty of surface area for books, your ipad, things to sip, etc.

It’s best if you can set up your “lounge” in a room with a comfortable temperature and access to a light switch, so you don’t have to stumble around in the dark if you wake in the night.

You also will need room to move freely about—getting up at intervals and walking a bit minimizes the risk of blood clots and will help you keep from getting stiff—so consider removing extraneous items from your recovery area before you have surgery.

Eating nutritious food (think fruits, veggies, whole grains, and lean protein) after surgery will help you heal faster and feel better—make it easy to eat healthy and prep, portion, and freeze soups, casseroles, etc., that are easy to reheat before your procedure date.

Prep meals ahead of time, or arrange for someone to cook for you

Eating nutritious food (think fruits, veggies, whole grains, and lean protein) after surgery will help you heal faster and feel better. While there’s nothing wrong with healthy takeout, the costs can add up—and you won’t be able to go pick up food for at least a couple of days anyway, as driving is strictly off limits while you are taking prescription pain meds.

Prep, portion, and freeze soups, casseroles, or any other healthy dishes that are easy to reheat. Alternatively, assign meal prep to a family member. Do them a favor (and ensure you get the foods you enjoy) by shopping for ingredients ahead of time.

Place necessaries at waist height

Remember, lifting and straining aren’t allowed for several weeks, and you may not have full range of motion to reach your arms overhead. Make things easier on yourself by placing your toothbrush, skin care, dishes, etc. in easily accessible locations, at waist-ish height.

For things that don’t make sense on a countertop, find a good workaround so you don’t have to bend or strain. Place a chair next to where you put on your shoes, tie an extension on the pull string to your ceiling fan, or consider buying a grabber to pick objects up off the floor.

Shop for a few button-up tops and other front-closing clothes

Have you ever tried to pull on a sweater or zip up a dress the day after doing 100 pushups? It’s not very fun, and that’s kind of how you’ll feel for a few days after breast augmentation. Make things easy on yourself (and avoid straining incisions) by getting a few pieces that open and close in the front, such as button up tops, sweaters, PJs, and wrap dresses.

Don’t forget about your bras—you will need to wear a soft, supportive bra for several weeks. Check out these front-close sports bra options from Her Room for examples, but before you buy a bra for after breast augmentation, talk to your cosmetic surgeon. They will be able to guide you on sizing and what features to look for.

Whether or not you’ve already set a date for your big day, it’s never too soon to start preparing for breast augmentation. If you have questions about breast augmentation surgery or recovery, please call us at 501-227-0707. We are happy to answer what we can on the phone, or schedule a personal consultation.

If you have your own tips for an easier breast augmentation recovery, leave a comment; we’d love to hear from you!