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| Breast Augmentation Recovery |
12 Helpful Tips for the Significant Other During Breast Augmentation
First and foremost, be emotionally prepared to be the caregiver. Your partner will soon be in a position she is not used to, with a level of helplessness that she likely will not enjoy or be used to. She will not have control over her recovery period so you both will have to respond to it, because it’s pretty much in charge of your life for at least a few weeks. Preparation is key so the more prepared you are ahead of time, the better.1. Ice and Ice Packs
Small freezable gel packs. LAY THE PACKS FLAT TO RE-FREEZE THEM. Rock hard distorted gelpacks can dig into the sides of her hard breasts so severely that they can be too painful to use. better yet, keep the gel packs in the coldest part of your fridge instead of the freezer for a nice cooling gel. Remember, she is likely to be numb so keep anything frozen on for only 20 minutes at a time.2. Toilet Lids
Just for the recovery period, leave the toliet lid up and the seat down, Do not put the top cover down. It is very painful to bend forward for any reason so have that toilet ready for her so she doesn’t have to deal with the lid or seat. She will thank you!3. Phone Calls
Each time the phone rings, ask in advance if she wants the phone brought to her or if she wants messages taken. Holding a phone to your ear requires a surprising amount of pectoral strength, which she will not have. The person on the other end of the line is not likely going to be thinking of that.4. Position Changes and Light Headedness
Be aware that light-headedness can happen for a while, especially if your partner is nauseous. Once she manages to stand up, be sure you remind her to take deep breaths to be sure she does not aggravate the light-headedness with oxygen deprivation. Don’t let her try stairs without being close by in case she becomes faint. Be prepared to support her body if she gets weak, as reaching for her hand will be useless. Watch for this especially when she takes her first shower and don't let her do it alone.5. Beds
If you have a recliner chair, line it with a mattress pad and use single sheets to make it up for the first few days of sleep. Don’t forget that if it has one of those handles to bring up the feet, once your partner is in it, she won’t be able to reach the bar to get herself out. Encourage her to get her lower back right into the lower back of the chair, to avoid pain over the few days and add a small extra pillow there if there isn’t excellent lumbar support. Sleep close by. Use light weight blankets, as ANY weight on your breasts is uncomfortable when lying on your back. If she does want to sleep in her bed, make sure she has pillows to sleep inclined and an extra to put under her knees.6. Memory
Your partner may ask for you to remind her of things, go over things, or remember things that have been said to you both. She may not recall the order things happened or specific instructions so be prepared to be in charge of the details.7. Food
Do be prepared for nausea and then consider yourself very lucky if she does not have it. Plain crackers, a few bowls of Jell-O, some meal replacement drinks, can go a long way if she gets sick. Don’t cook strong smelling meals for yourself if she is nauseous. Make sure she eats when she takes her medications and it should help curb future nausea.8. Flowers
A few fresh flowers by her bed help bring the outside world in for those few days of imprisonment (unless scents are making her nauseous).9. What to Say
This is personal of course, but when you are bruised, swollen, and dishevelled, a compliment goes a VERY long way. Be sure you offer a great deal of quiet sincere encouragement and remind your partner that her new breasts are beautiful to you )even though they won't be at first). NO CRITICISM of anything about her.10. Ups and Downs
Recovery might be a cinch, but I think for most of us, it’s an up and down process. Remember that most of us keep hoping…”Okay, THAT was the worst part and now it’s over”… and if you have some rough hours or a rough day AFTER that, it can be discouraging. It’s not a straight linear recovery climb, its two steps forward and sometimes one or even two back. “I promise you will feel better soon” is probably a fair statement, and “What can I do to help you?” are sweet words. If she has any ongoing concerns, call the doctor for her and get answers quickly. You don’t want her worrying about whether anything is normal or not. Brush her hair and sooth her any way you can.11. All Better! – NOT
Don’t let her get going too fast once she feels better. Celebrate all the recovery steps but make sure she keeps resting and only adds small jobs at a time to her process of getting back to normal life demands. Even when she feels like she is better, make sure she follows the doctor's strict orders when it comes to lifting.Happy surgery!
Reference: http://www.implantinfo.com/faqs/1.56.aspx
