Now that you finally have the shapely, perky breasts you’ve been wanting for ages, it’s up to you to maintain them. You may have put a lot of time and money into planning your surgery but you won’t need to make any major changes in order to prolong your results.
Whether you’ve just undergone your augmentation procedure or you’re about to, there are a few things you should know if you want to enjoy your implants for as long as possible.
Breast Implant Maintenance: 5 Essential Tips
1. Take your recovery seriously
Most women only need to take a week off work to recover from their surgery but it’s essential that you take this time seriously. A week really isn’t long but it can make a big difference to your results and the health of your implants. If you still want gorgeous, healthy breasts in five or ten years’ time, start taking care of them the minute you leave the hospital. Your surgeon will also send you home with detailed aftercare instructions that you should carefully follow for the best outcome.
2. Support your new implants
If you’re going to get implants, you’re going to need a good bra, both during and after recovery. A good bra will limit the impact of gravity and reduce skin sagging and stretching (moisturising your breasts regularly can help with this too). During your recovery, you will need to wear a compression garment for six weeks. Thereafter, you can gradually start wearing normal bras but underwire bras will need to wait until much later. Whatever type of bra you’re wearing, it needs to fit correctly and offer sufficient support. You don’t want excess bouncing and unnecessary movement.
3. Go easy on the exercise
Once you can return to work, you can also start engaging in very light exercise. Exercise is something you’ll need to take really slowly, particularly if it involves heavy lifting and strenuous movements. You can generally start picking up a more rigorous exercise routine a month after surgery. However, it’s vital that you start slowly and gauge how your breasts feel before you go full speed ahead. For example, if you love the treadmill, start out with a brisk walk before you start running. Depending on the placement of your implants, the movement while exercising might take some getting used to. Always get clearance from your surgeon before you resume your regular exercise routine.
4. Maintain a healthy lifestyle
Want to enjoy your breast implants for longer? Avoid major weight fluctuations. Drastic weight fluctuations can cause the breast tissue to sag. By following a healthy lifestyle, you can better maintain the shape of your breasts and extend the longevity of your implants and results. If you are planning to grow your family after your surgery, keep in mind that this will impact your implants. There is a high chance that you will require a breast lift following pregnancy to restore the shape and perkiness of your breasts.
5. Mammograms still matter
Mammograms are essential both before and after breast augmentation. They’re not at the top of most women’s to-do lists but when your breasts are healthy, your implants will be too. If you’re new to mammograms, your doctor can assist you with a screening schedule. You should also always let your mammogram technician know that you have implants prior to your scan as the technique needs to be altered slightly.
By sticking to five simple tips, there’s really no reason why you can’t enjoy your breast implants for many years to come. Naturally, these tips can’t rule out all potential complications but they can help extend the life of your implants.