The reality of breast augmentation is that it is not always so cut in dry from when you decide to have breast augmentation to your results. While recovering from breast augmentation, you may be surprised to find that your transformation may take a few strange turns before you reach your desired results.
What you will find is that most of these occurrences are absolutely normal and necessary for great end results. Knowing what to expect after breast augmentation will help you navigate your recovery and protect you from unnecessary panic. Here are five of the most common yet seemingly strange changes that happen after breast augmentation.
1. Uneven and Misshapen Breasts
In the first few weeks after breast augmentation, your body will be healing from the procedure. You may have expected to experience some swelling, bruising and discomfort, but what you might not have expected were uneven or misshapen breasts. While this may appear to be a cause for concern, it is actually very common and very normal.
As your body heals, it takes time for implants to drop and settle into their final position. A few things could happen during this time. Your breasts may appear unnaturally high on your chest, or they may appear torpedo-like in shape. One may look larger than the other, or one may sit lower than the other. Your nipples may appear uneven.
While this may make it hard to adjust to your new look, these are all normal changes that occur after a breast augmentation and will adjust as your body heals and the implants settle. In most cases, by the 3-month mark, your breasts should be approaching their final position.
2. Discomfort in Unexpected Areas
No doubt, your post-op instructions mentioned that pain and discomfort are common after a breast augmentation. However, many women are shocked to find that sharp pains, particularly in their nipples, are a normal part of the breast augmentation recovery process.
These sharp pains are a common side effect as the nerve endings in the breasts begin to heal. You may also experience odd chest muscle spasms and even pain in your upper back. In many cases, it’s common to spend some time hunched over after breast augmentation due to the chest being sore. This can affect the muscles in your chest and back.
In addition, changes to your normal sleeping position can affect your muscles, causing spasms and discomfort. This is normal and will usually subside as your body heals and adjusts to the changes.
3. Bloating and Stomach Discomfort
When you have any surgery, it is a shock to your system. In the case of a breast augmentation, your breasts aren’t the only area affected. Anesthesia and medications after the procedure can contribute to nausea and vomiting, as well as affect your appetite for days during your recovery. This is normal and will improve with time.
In addition, pain medications, such as opioids, and reduced activity can contribute to constipation and bloating. Drinking plenty of water during recovery can help reduce constipation, as well as stool softeners or laxatives. If constipation becomes a problem, talk with your surgeon and see what they recommend.
4. Feelings of Engorgement
After breast augmentation, it takes time for your body to adjust to the implants. This is a foreign substance in your body and your muscle, skin and breast tissue need time to get used to this. As they heal and adjust, you may experience tightness in your chest, including the feeling of engorgement in your breasts.
They may feel tender to the touch, heavy and firm, as well as inflamed. This is all normal and to be expected. However, if they become warm to the touch or you have a fever, you should contact your doctor immediately.
In rare cases, women can experience lactation after a breast augmentation. This is often due to the increased blood flow during healing or the proximity of the implants to milk glandular tissue. Pressure from swelling and the implants can cause fluid in the milk ducts to come out, similar to lactating.
Implant massages after surgery can often cause this fluid to be expressed. This is normal and, while it may shock you, should not cause you to be alarmed.
5. Re-establishing Good Posture
During recovery from a breast augmentation, it is common to hunch over for the first few weeks in an effort to protect your sore and healing chest. This can contribute to back and chest muscle pain, but it can also be the start of bad posture.
As you adjust to your larger breasts, it is important to focus on your posture as soon as possible. Not only will this allow you to show off your new breasts, but it will also help to reduce the strain that poor posture can place on your chest, shoulders and back.
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