How long will it "hurt"? Swelling? - JustBreastImplants.com Forums - Breast Augmentation, Breast Implants, and Plastic Surgeons

cheatingheart · 03-14-2007, 12:05 AM

I just had my BA today, and I expect it to be sore for a while, but right now I actually hurt. I confess I'm at least two hours overdue for my pain meds right now, because I was waiting until closer to bedtime to take them so they'll last longer into the night. I'm not looking forward to sleeping propped up. That would be hard enough even without having pain involved.

I realize I'm likely to have increased swelling tomorrow, but when can I expect it to start to subside? I think the swelling is more uncomfortable than the muscle soreness. Well.... neither one is fun! When will it start getting better ... three days? five days? a week?

I read post after post about healing and recovery time before my BA to prepare myself, but now that I'm actually feeling the aches, here I am asking more questions!

Kathlene · 03-14-2007, 12:16 AM

It varies with each gal. But from what I have read over the yrs, day 2- 3 seems to be the worst. When all the anesthesia and meds from surgery have worn off.
The swelling can last for awhile for some. I still had swelling in my cleavage area at just under a month post-op.
Resting/sleeping as long as possible reclined will help to allow the fluids to migrate downward and dissipate.
You may even notice some bloating in the waist/hip area. This is the fluids migrating downward from surgery and IV's etc.
If your surgeon instructed you to apply cold packs, that will help with the swelling as well. It will even help to numb "some" of the pain.

Congratulations to you!

maria(greekgirl) · 03-14-2007, 12:24 AM

Congrats on your surgery it only gets better from here. As for the pain I never really had any pain just achy. I never got off schedule with my pain meds I actually took them before I needed them. I'm 4 days post op and I'm off meds all together. Even though you may not want to take them I would take your meds on time for at least the first few day. This is my second go round so it was easier this time. As for the sleep if you have a recliner you might want to try that. Hope you feel better soon.

cheatingheart · 03-14-2007, 12:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kathlene

You may even notice some bloating in the waist/hip area. This is the fluids migrating downward.
If your surgeon instructed you to apply cold packs, that will help with the swelling as well. It will even help to numb "some" of the pain.

Congratulations to you!

OH YES... I have the bloating. DH was kind enough to point out that he noticed it! Honestly, I look four months pregnant. But I thought it was residual fluids from the IV. It certainly doesn't seem like I'm losing any swelling volume in my chest region!

I was told NO COLD PACKS. No heat, no cold, nothing that might affect circulation in the area. It would probably feel good to put something cold on them, but it's a no no for me.

Kathlene · 03-14-2007, 12:52 AM

Well that is a bummer about no cold. That is the reasoning about putting it 10-15 min on and the same off. That way you don't numb the heck out of the area. It is more common to use this then to not. But then again every surgeon is different. And we must follow their care instructions.
But it might not hurt to phone him and ask him if you can do it for just a day or so. Let him know how uncomfortable you are at the moment.

yellowroses911 · 03-14-2007, 01:05 AM

No cold packs, I lived with them on. They seemed to really help me not sure if it was becomes they numbed them or if it really helped with the swelling. Day 3 was the worst for me, seemed like each day after that it got a lil better. As far as ur pain meds, are they tablet form, My Ps even suggested that if I was still hurting and my 4 hours weren't up yet to just take a half of a pill to see if that would just take the edge off so I wasn't hurting. I did this a few times and it really worked for me. I wish u a speedy recovery, Good Luck !!!!

Darlene OXOX

Galore · 03-14-2007, 02:15 AM

It would probably help if you took your pain meds on time. Maybe it's a little obsessive but for the first few days, I set an alarm and took my meds every 4 hours even through the night. And even then I still felt sore and just laid around. Keep in mind that recovery is a slow process, but it *will* get better every day!

jayne · 03-14-2007, 01:14 PM

I agree taking pain meds on time is key...so you dont get in so much pain in the first place at least for the first few days...I lived with frozen peas on my chest for 3 days and it was heaven but if your PS says no then I wouldnt recommend you go against what he says. I found day 4 the worst and then steadily uphill from there...dont worry it will be worth it J x

rhijennings · 03-14-2007, 01:25 PM

I am 5 days post and i am not feeling so hot today but we kinda got out and about yesterday and now I am paying for it. I stayed on my pain meds every 4 hours for the first 3 days and now I am taking only the muscle relaxers. These babies tense up and im walking around holding them like they are going to fall off.

I was also told no ice or anything like that and still no massaging.

cheatingheart · 03-14-2007, 07:23 PM

Honestly I think I'm going to be done with the pain meds except for sleeping. They do work for dulling the pain, but they also make me feel sick and groggy, and for me the loopy feeling is more unpleasant than the pain. I took one with my lunch today and it made me feel so sick I absolutely had to sleep. It's not nausea, it's just a weird disoriented feeling and I hate it. I'll just take my antibiotic and maybe try Tylenol.

I asked at my surgery if there's any benefit to taking the pain meds other than managing the pain, i.e. anti-inflammatory properties, and was told no, they're purely for pain so taking them is an individual decision.

So I've decided except for sleeping, I'm done with them.

Skipper · 03-14-2007, 07:30 PM

Cheatingheart - sorry you are uncomfortable. You can always start back on the pain meds if you need them. Remember you don't get a medal if you suffer.

Soft

...

cheatingheart · 03-14-2007, 07:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skipper

Cheatingheart - sorry you are uncomfortable. You can always start back on the pain meds if you need them. Remember you don't get a medal if you suffer.

Soft

...

OMG!!!!!!!! The suffering is in taking the meds!!!!

It feels like such a relief not to have to take them, they make me so miserable!

Skipper · 03-14-2007, 11:32 PM

I think it is hard for me to relate b'c i had no problem with taking the Percocet or the Valium.

I know if something made me sick I wouldn't want to take it any more. Maybe call your PS about an alternative??

Peachesp313 · 03-15-2007, 12:58 PM

Sorry the pain meds are making you feel yucky. If it was just a nausea thing that could be fixed by changing to a different pain killer, but since that's not what's bothering you then it won't help much. And that sucks you can't ice those babies, because I swear that helped me so much with the swelling.
I can tell you that I am 13 days out and feeling a lot better as far as pain goes. I think it was only a couple of days ago that I began to feel like there would be an end to the pain. It hurts the most when I've been laying down and then I get up. It's like they fall back into place and that hurts.
I'm not saying I don't hurt...but it is much better than before. I only take Tylenol at night to keep the pain in check so I can try to sleep. During the day I take nothing.
Right now my main complaint is my back aching, and hopefully I'll the okay to start taking ibuprofen and that should help a lot.
I guess I can't offer much advice. But it does get better. I can't believe I'm saying that...last week I thought it would never end. But here I am, personally attesting to the fact that the pain goes away...it dulls to an ache, and then it becomes a problem only when doing certain things. (like getting up from a lying down position)
I hope you start feeling better soon...I know it's so hard right now to be hurting. We'll all be here to listen when it gets too much to bear!

cheatingheart · 03-15-2007, 02:54 PM

Thanks - it's not nausea, it's just that feeling of being a little out-of-it, like everything's in slow motion or something. One of the nurses just called to check on me and told me I should be taking the one that's not percocet, the one that's anti-inflammatory, and that it wouldn't make me feel weird. So I took it, like a good girl, and NOW I FEEL WEIRD!

So I'm very unhappy. I'd be happier if I hadn't taken the pill, even though I'd feel sore. I'm going to try to take a nap and hope I feel less foggy when I wake up. I just have to keep reminding myself this is temporary and that it's only been two days.

03-14-2007, 12:05 AM	#1
cheatingheart Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Midwest Posts: 541 Thanks: 231 Thanked 181 Times in 139 Posts	How long will it "hurt"? Swelling? I just had my BA today, and I expect it to be sore for a while, but right now I actually hurt. I confess I'm at least two hours overdue for my pain meds right now, because I was waiting until closer to bedtime to take them so they'll last longer into the night. I'm not looking forward to sleeping propped up. That would be hard enough even without having pain involved. I realize I'm likely to have increased swelling tomorrow, but when can I expect it to start to subside? I think the swelling is more uncomfortable than the muscle soreness. Well.... neither one is fun! When will it start getting better ... three days? five days? a week? I read post after post about healing and recovery time before my BA to prepare myself, but now that I'm actually feeling the aches, here I am asking more questions!

03-14-2007, 02:15 AM	#7
Galore Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: southeast Posts: 752 Thanks: 142 Thanked 229 Times in 206 Posts	It would probably help if you took your pain meds on time. Maybe it's a little obsessive but for the first few days, I set an alarm and took my meds every 4 hours even through the night. And even then I still felt sore and just laid around. Keep in mind that recovery is a slow process, but it will get better every day! __________________ www.justbreastimplants.com/Revis/

03-14-2007, 07:23 PM	#10
cheatingheart Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Midwest Posts: 541 Thanks: 231 Thanked 181 Times in 139 Posts	Really hate the pain meds Honestly I think I'm going to be done with the pain meds except for sleeping. They do work for dulling the pain, but they also make me feel sick and groggy, and for me the loopy feeling is more unpleasant than the pain. I took one with my lunch today and it made me feel so sick I absolutely had to sleep. It's not nausea, it's just a weird disoriented feeling and I hate it. I'll just take my antibiotic and maybe try Tylenol. I asked at my surgery if there's any benefit to taking the pain meds other than managing the pain, i.e. anti-inflammatory properties, and was told no, they're purely for pain so taking them is an individual decision. So I've decided except for sleeping, I'm done with them.

03-14-2007, 12:16 AM	#2
Kathlene Very Long Time Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Sign: Posts: 473 Thanks: 83 Thanked 156 Times in 140 Posts	It varies with each gal. But from what I have read over the yrs, day 2- 3 seems to be the worst. When all the anesthesia and meds from surgery have worn off. The swelling can last for awhile for some. I still had swelling in my cleavage area at just under a month post-op. Resting/sleeping as long as possible reclined will help to allow the fluids to migrate downward and dissipate. You may even notice some bloating in the waist/hip area. This is the fluids migrating downward from surgery and IV's etc. If your surgeon instructed you to apply cold packs, that will help with the swelling as well. It will even help to numb "some" of the pain. Congratulations to you!

03-14-2007, 12:24 AM	#3
maria(greekgirl) Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Maryland Sign: Posts: 102 Thanks: 11 Thanked 42 Times in 36 Posts	Congrats on your surgery it only gets better from here. As for the pain I never really had any pain just achy. I never got off schedule with my pain meds I actually took them before I needed them. I'm 4 days post op and I'm off meds all together. Even though you may not want to take them I would take your meds on time for at least the first few day. This is my second go round so it was easier this time. As for the sleep if you have a recliner you might want to try that. Hope you feel better soon.

03-14-2007, 12:52 AM	#5
Kathlene Very Long Time Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Sign: Posts: 473 Thanks: 83 Thanked 156 Times in 140 Posts	Well that is a bummer about no cold. That is the reasoning about putting it 10-15 min on and the same off. That way you don't numb the heck out of the area. It is more common to use this then to not. But then again every surgeon is different. And we must follow their care instructions. But it might not hurt to phone him and ask him if you can do it for just a day or so. Let him know how uncomfortable you are at the moment.

03-14-2007, 01:05 AM	#6
yellowroses911 Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Linthicum, Maryland Sign: Posts: 115 Thanks: 135 Thanked 37 Times in 34 Posts	No cold packs, I lived with them on. They seemed to really help me not sure if it was becomes they numbed them or if it really helped with the swelling. Day 3 was the worst for me, seemed like each day after that it got a lil better. As far as ur pain meds, are they tablet form, My Ps even suggested that if I was still hurting and my 4 hours weren't up yet to just take a half of a pill to see if that would just take the edge off so I wasn't hurting. I did this a few times and it really worked for me. I wish u a speedy recovery, Good Luck !!!! Darlene OXOX

03-14-2007, 01:14 PM	#8
jayne Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Northants Posts: 1,447 Thanks: 50 Thanked 562 Times in 511 Posts	I agree taking pain meds on time is key...so you dont get in so much pain in the first place at least for the first few days...I lived with frozen peas on my chest for 3 days and it was heaven but if your PS says no then I wouldnt recommend you go against what he says. I found day 4 the worst and then steadily uphill from there...dont worry it will be worth it J x

03-14-2007, 01:25 PM	#9
rhijennings Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Texas Sign: Posts: 821 Thanks: 233 Thanked 294 Times in 275 Posts	I am 5 days post and i am not feeling so hot today but we kinda got out and about yesterday and now I am paying for it. I stayed on my pain meds every 4 hours for the first 3 days and now I am taking only the muscle relaxers. These babies tense up and im walking around holding them like they are going to fall off. I was also told no ice or anything like that and still no massaging.

03-14-2007, 07:30 PM	#11
Skipper Girl Next Door Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Denver, CO Sign: Posts: 591 Thanks: 141 Thanked 198 Times in 178 Posts	Cheatingheart - sorry you are uncomfortable. You can always start back on the pain meds if you need them. Remember you don't get a medal if you suffer. Soft ...

03-14-2007, 11:32 PM	#13
Skipper Girl Next Door Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Denver, CO Sign: Posts: 591 Thanks: 141 Thanked 198 Times in 178 Posts	I think it is hard for me to relate b'c i had no problem with taking the Percocet or the Valium. I know if something made me sick I wouldn't want to take it any more. Maybe call your PS about an alternative??

03-15-2007, 12:58 PM	#14
Peachesp313 Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Arkansas Sign: Posts: 895 Thanks: 274 Thanked 287 Times in 253 Posts	Sorry the pain meds are making you feel yucky. If it was just a nausea thing that could be fixed by changing to a different pain killer, but since that's not what's bothering you then it won't help much. And that sucks you can't ice those babies, because I swear that helped me so much with the swelling. I can tell you that I am 13 days out and feeling a lot better as far as pain goes. I think it was only a couple of days ago that I began to feel like there would be an end to the pain. It hurts the most when I've been laying down and then I get up. It's like they fall back into place and that hurts. I'm not saying I don't hurt...but it is much better than before. I only take Tylenol at night to keep the pain in check so I can try to sleep. During the day I take nothing. Right now my main complaint is my back aching, and hopefully I'll the okay to start taking ibuprofen and that should help a lot. I guess I can't offer much advice. But it does get better. I can't believe I'm saying that...last week I thought it would never end. But here I am, personally attesting to the fact that the pain goes away...it dulls to an ache, and then it becomes a problem only when doing certain things. (like getting up from a lying down position) I hope you start feeling better soon...I know it's so hard right now to be hurting. We'll all be here to listen when it gets too much to bear!

03-15-2007, 02:54 PM	#15
cheatingheart Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Midwest Posts: 541 Thanks: 231 Thanked 181 Times in 139 Posts	Thanks - it's not nausea, it's just that feeling of being a little out-of-it, like everything's in slow motion or something. One of the nurses just called to check on me and told me I should be taking the one that's not percocet, the one that's anti-inflammatory, and that it wouldn't make me feel weird. So I took it, like a good girl, and NOW I FEEL WEIRD! So I'm very unhappy. I'd be happier if I hadn't taken the pill, even though I'd feel sore. I'm going to try to take a nap and hope I feel less foggy when I wake up. I just have to keep reminding myself this is temporary and that it's only been two days.