Swollen!!

[BugABoo]

When did they stop feeling so swollen?? I know that it does take some time, but I'm curious how long it took for each of you. It feels like I have 2 basketballs in my chest and it's driving me crazy!! lol When can I expect it to ease up a bit?

Thanks.

[amyjaclyn]

I'm 10 days post op and still a bit swollen (more so on my stubborn leftie) but I noticed a big difference after the first few days. Just keep icing them and taking it easy...it will get better and better every day. Taking pics also helps so you can "see" the difference when sometimes you can't "feel" the difference.
Good Luck!

[BugABoo]

ugh....I want to ice them soooo bad, but was told "no ice, no heat" awww I can't even massage them yet! I was told I have to wait 2 weeks.

They do feel less swollen, but I think they are at that annoying stage right now. lol

I need to learn patience. lol

[Jac]

NO Ice????? WTF????? who told u that your PS???? Ohhh u poor thing!!! the ice is all that saved me!!! I was packed in it for days!!
Ice will help with the swelling u will get relif right away...
I feel sorry for u.
Mine lasted about 6 days... then it started letting up... but that was with ice!
Good luck Hon.

[BugABoo]

Yep, PS told me that. From what I'm reading on here, my PS does things pretty different!

I wasn't wrapped at all after surgery. I was told not to wear a bra, but if I wanted too, I could wear one without underwire.
No ice, no heat and no massage.

I am so longing for ice right now!!

[kjyhfrank]

My PS told me the same thing - no ice or heat - & I am worried about that, also! I am having mine done this Friday & wondering what I will do w/out ice??! BugABoo, I hope it has gotten easier for you! If you have found any good 'substitutes' for easing the swelling, please share!

[MASONS GIRL]

Wow, I'm with Jac on this one. I believe that icing my boobies helped tremendously to minimize the swelling...plus, it felt REALLY good to do so. But then again every PS has his/her own methods of doing things. We just have to trust in them. =) My swelling didn't go down completely for at least 3-4 weeks so try and hang in there. You'll get that much needed relief in no time!

[yasminv1]

My swelling did not go down for almost 4 weeks. I was not allowed to put ice or heat on my boobies either. Hang in there!

[MFIGinger]

I dont know how i would survive if I couldnt Ice mine..Even sitting here now I have ice packs under my arm pits and wrapped around the top of my girls! Its been a savior for me! I wonder what the reasoning is with no ice? I couldnt for the first 24 hours because they didnt want it to mask any swelling and bleeding! But after that i was free to ice as often as I wanted! I have minimal swelling right now and very little bruising..Im just tight and high!

[BugABoo]

Thank you everybody!!

As of right now, the only relief I get is laying on the couch with my blanket and 2 vicodin. I take the vicodin not for pain, but to not care about the swollen feeling. lol

I probably should have taken more time off work. hehehe I went back yesterday, but only lasted until 1:00 p.m. I'm back again today and I can't wait to take a nap in my truck. I even brought a pillow. lol

[imklo928]

Found this on the net...I am still researching information about breast lift/aug surgery. I am really concerned about the pain factor. Anyhow, I thought I would share.



ActiPatch is a non-drug, anti-inflammatory device that has been used for multiple medical conditions from facial surgery recovery to plantar fasciitis. It helps reduce swelling and inflammation through the use of pulsed electromagnetic fields contained in either a patch design or a loop configurations. The patch or loop devices contain a tiny circuit which is operated by a small low-voltage battery. Beneath the geometry of the circuit, a penetrating electromagnetic field or zone is created which penetrates into the tissues under the skin. The frequency of the generated signal works by decreasing intercellular fluid and inflammation in the injured site. As a result, the amount of swelling and associated pain around a surgery site is reduced and recovery is accelerated.

I first starting using ActiPatch for my own back and shoulder pains from years of long hours of surgery. It worked as well as any non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medication and I began to use it on my breast augmentation patients. By positioning a crescent patch over the upper medial pole of the breast (where the raised pectoralis major muscle exists) and another patch over the lateral pole of the breast (4 patches per patient), I have been equally impressed with the results. My past 25 breast augmentation patients have used it with good success. It is now part of my routinue postop breast augmentation protocol and I have each patient wear them around the clock for the first 48 hours after surgery. In most cases, patients are off pain medications within 24 hours. While I aggressively place them on an arm exercise program after surgery, which makes a big contribution to their recovery as well, the use of the ActiPatch is a simple and easy adjunct to this recovery protocol. Breast augmentation patients are extremely appreciative of any efforts made to decrease any potential pain, which is their biggest fear about breast augmentation surgery. Based on my experience with it in the breast implant patient, I can see no reason why it would not be of benefit for all kinds of breast surgery as well.

Dr Barry Eppley
Clarian West Medical Center, Avon, Indiana
Indianapolis

[November]

Originally Posted by BugABoo

Yep, PS told me that. From what I'm reading on here, my PS does things pretty different!

I wasn't wrapped at all after surgery. I was told not to wear a bra, but if I wanted too, I could wear one without underwire.
No ice, no heat and no massage.

I am so longing for ice right now!!

I wasn't wrapped and also told no bra but was allowed to ice. Hang in there!

[Jenny7205]

Well it sounds like ice is the best medicine... I'm so sorry that your PS doesn't recommend it. Just keep reminding yourself that it will pass and hopefully things will start to look up for you soon!!!

[RR216]

My PS told me No ice, No heat too. I cant exactly remember when my swelling went down but give it a couple weeks I'd say.