The Body
Before the operation: Successful breast augmentation begins with good preparation
It is essential to stop smoking at least 3 weeks before and 3 weeks after the operation. Nicotine increases the risk of infection by 400 to 600%! You should also arrange for help to look after your children and do the housework for the next 3 weeks after the operation, for example a partner or friend. On the day of the operation, we advise you to wear loose-fitting, dark clothing (training style). It is also important to come without any jewellery, make-up or body cream on the day of the operation.
To ensure that you arrive with complete peace of mind, you should decide on the final size you would like to have at least 48 hours before the operation. You should arrive on an empty stomach on the day of the operation. The anaesthetist will call you and explain when you should stop eating solids and liquids
The day of the operation
After the operation, you can go home the same day. We check that everything is in order and, once Dr. Favre has given you the go-ahead, you can go home. One thing you should not do immediately after the operation is drive. So make sure you have someone with you to drive you home safely. To prepare as well as possible for your convalescence, please pay attention to the following
- Pain
On the first day after the operation, your breasts will be quite sore and still very swollen. The pain is even greater when the implant is placed under the muscle. We usually notice that the pain is greatest in the first 4 hours, which is why you stay with us for a few hours so that the anaesthetist can give you suitable painkillers. The pain diminishes but is still quite significant in the first 4 days. The painkillers we give post-operatively are as follows: Dafalgan 1 g every 6 hours, 4 times a day. Novalgine 500 mg every 8 hours, 3 times a day. Tramal 15 drops every 6 hours, 4 times a day. After a week, the pain becomes much more bearable.
- Wear a sports bra
Until 8 weeks after your breast augmentation, you should wear a Marena sports bra. This should only be removed when showering. The first shower should be taken two days after the operation. The bra must offer sufficient support, and it is important that it fits properly after the breast augmentation. In particular, it is very important that it is positioned just below the submammary fold and not underneath it, otherwise there is a risk of the implant moving downwards.
From the first day to 21ᵉ day after the operation: essential instructions for a successful recovery
- Do not: physical exertion
During the first three weeks after the operation, you should take it easy and put as little strain as possible on your body. This means:
not lifting anything heavier than 1 kilo
not lifting your elbow higher than your shoulder
not putting your arms up
not running, cycling or doing any other sporting activity for 8 weeks
- Do: shower after 48 hours
You can shower after 48 hours, keeping the sports bra on, or you can shower the whole lower part of your body. At one week, you will be fitted with a specially waterproof bandage that you can shower with. However, bathing is not recommended for the first eight weeks.
- Don’t: sleep on your stomach or on your side
You probably won’t think about it so soon after the operation, but you will need to pay attention to the position in which you sleep: for the first 4 weeks, it is important to sleep only on your back. You can place an extra pillow on your back as well as on your sides to prevent you from turning while you sleep. From the 4ᵉ week onwards, it is permissible to sleep on your side. From 8ᵉ week, it is allowed to sleep on your stomach. If you do not pay attention to this and sleep on your stomach, there is a risk that the implants will migrate into a position that you do not want. During the first 8 weeks after the operation, a fibrous layer will form around the implant, which will then be unable to move.
- To do: scrupulously follow the instructions on the Bellefontaine sheet
After the operation, we will give you a detailed personal explanatory sheet that you should scrupulously follow to get the best results.
- Don’t: drink alcohol and smoke
You must not drink alcohol during the first week after the operation, as it is contraindicated with the medication you have to take. As mentioned above, you should also stop smoking 3 weeks before and 3 weeks after the operation. Nicotine narrows blood vessels, disrupts healing and increases the risk of infection. This also applies to the use of nicotine patches and chewing gums.
- Do: get plenty of rest
During the 21 days following your breast augmentation with implants, you need to take it easy. This means getting plenty of rest and not doing any heavy housework. After a week you can make yourself something to eat, but remember not to carry anything heavier than 1 kilo. Is there anyone who happens to prepare delicious meals for you or help you dress and undress? After an operation, you may find it difficult to get up, so it’s a good idea to have someone to help you. You should still take short walks to reduce the risk of thrombosis or embolism.
Three weeks after breast augmentation: do’s and don’ts
After about 21 days, you will feel much less pain and feel much better. The muscle will have stretched and relaxed sufficiently, and your breasts will look more natural and beautiful.
Eight weeks after your breast augmentation: the end of the convalescence period
After eight weeks, you are generally well recovered from the operation. The swelling has gone down considerably, the implants have migrated slightly downwards and the scars are healing well. Most people can return completely to their normal lives after eight weeks.
Do: sport
Exercise is good for your body and after all those weeks of inactivity, it’s time to get back into shape. Fortunately, you can resume sport after eight weeks. Fitness, swimming, cycling, running: if you feel good and you’re not in pain, you can just start.
Weight
It is important to maintain a stable weight after the operation. A weight loss of several kilos can sometimes lead to a reduction in the structure holding the implant in place, and the implant can sometimes slide down a few millimetres. This complication is known as bottoming out.
Do: sleep as you wish
After eight weeks, you can also sleep as you wish. If you sleep on your stomach, you may sleep a little differently now that you have new breasts, but there is no longer any risk of migration or rotation.
Pain
It is normal to experience some pain after 8 weeks. This may even last for 2 years, the time it takes for the scar to form permanently around the implant. Tugging, pins and needles, electrical sensations or burning can be completely normal.
Scars
Immediately 3 weeks after the operation and for up to three or even six months, you can start massaging the scar with a Keli-Med healing cream, as well as using a Mepiform silicone dressing. Treatment of the scar with Keli-Med healing cream and Mepiform silicone dressing should be continued for 2 to 3 months.
The treatment is as follows:
In the morning, massage the scar for 5 minutes using Keli-Med cream, then leave on for 10 minutes.
Then remove the cream with soap and water until the skin is completely dry.
Cut a strip of silicone dressing and stick it over the scar. Leave the silicone bandage on all day, then peel off the bandage in the evening, but keep it on.
Massage the scar with Keli-Med healing cream for 5 minutes, then leave on for 10 minutes.
Remove the healing cream with soap and water until the scar is completely dry.
Reapply the same silicone dressing and leave it on overnight.
It takes time for scars to turn white. Scars go from red to purple between 6 and 12 months and eventually become pale. Protect scars from UV rays with a 100+ sun block.
Final check-up and results
After approximately three months, you will return to the Bellefontaine clinic for a final check-up. The recovery times mentioned are averages and may vary considerably from one person to another. The implants will have migrated slightly downwards and the new breast will then look more natural.
Breast examination
Screening for breast cancer can be carried out quite normally after breast surgery. A mammogram is also performed, although it is more difficult to take and interpret. If necessary, radiologists can carry out an MRI of the breast, which ensures that radiological checks are carried out.
We hope you find this information useful in your breast augmentation process!
