Of course you are fully aware that breast augmentation, as with any cosmetic surgery, involves weeks
of recovery. However, you may be
surprise that “weird” things—but still considered normal by plastic surgeons—may happen during your healing time.
If you are considering breast implant surgery, these are some of the things you might want to know about:
* Squeaks and gushes
in your breasts
In case that you hear these weird noises coming from your
augmented breasts, don’t be alarmed since these are usually caused by air
bubbles and/or fluid build-up within the implant pocket.
The buzzing, gurgling, and crackling noises that typically
last a few weeks may also be caused by implants as they settle to their natural
position.
* Exaggerated
fullness in the upper poles
If the upper poles of your breasts appear unusually round
(which gives you the operated, fake look), don’t worry because weeks or months
following your breast augmentation, the implants will settle to their natural
position.
Some plastic surgeons recommend breast massage and
compression exercise after the incision site is completely healed. The theory is that massaging the breasts
would allow the implants to settle naturally, and prevent the scar tissue
around the devices to become too tight and dense.
In addition, it is not uncommon for the augmented breasts to
be quite firm and sit high up on your chest.
In general, they will soften up and drop to a more natural position.
Your plastic surgeon may recommend strap or elastic bandage
wrapped around the upper chest, under the arms, before reaching the top half of
the breasts; in this way, the implants will go down.
* One breast sits higher on your chest
The breast implant on your dominant side (right- vs
left-handed) may not drop as fast as the other one, leading to asymmetrical
appearance. If this happens, don’t worry
since both implants will settle properly weeks or months after your breast augmentation surgery.
* Oversensitive
nipples
More often than not, oversensitive nipple (right after
breast augmentation) is associated with some “erection” which further
aggravates the sensitivity. For this
reason, don’t be surprised if your plastic surgeon recommends using Band-Aid
(especially if you have large ones) or nursing pads that will protect the area
from the abrasiveness of your clothing.
* Numbness in the nipples
While some patients experience oversensitive nipples, others
complain about numbness in the area, which is also something normal during the
first few weeks or months following the surgery.
For most women, the sensation returns although the process
often involves some itchiness, heat, tingling, and sometimes pains, which are
all temporary.