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Is Breast Augmentation Painful?

Posted in Breast Augmentation

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One of the most frequently asked questions we hear at Livingston Plastic Surgery during breast augmentation consultations is, “Will a breast augmentation hurt?” It’s an honest question that many people would obviously want to know the answer to. The simple answer is yes; you will experience some discomfort as you heal after breast surgery. However, the way we approach answering it for most patients is usually by explaining how the residual discomfort after breast surgery is managed—and “manageable” is an excellent way to describe the pain you’ll likely experience.

Most people don’t go around looking for ways to get hurt so that they feel pain. Still, biologically speaking, pain can be an essential sensation for your body to experience when it’s healing for several different reasons. Here’s why.

Why Some Pain After a Surgical Procedure is Actually Really Good for You

When you’re cut or bruised or scraped, your body typically creates some inflammation. This inflammation stimulates your body’s pain receptors so that the whole system can kickstart its natural healing process. That’s why you feel pain right away— so your brain gets the message, and you can get away from whatever is causing your body pain to spend some time recovering and healing up if necessary.

Stimulating your body’s pain receptors also allows your nervous system to fire up and make your body and brain start releasing necessary chemicals. These chemicals—neurotransmitters and hormones—do a whole bunch of useful things inside your brain, body, and wound site. For example, endorphins, which are neurotransmitters made in the pituitary gland, release when you feel pain and act as the body’s natural painkillers and stress relievers. The lingering pain you feel after cosmetic surgery is acute, meaning short term, and dramatically aids your body in pain management and constructing new, healthy tissue.

How Pain is Safely Managed after A Breast Augmentation

In the first few days after breast surgery, pain is typically managed using prescription pain medication. Some surgeons opt for their patients to use pain pumps (a device that releases a slow drip directly to the surgical site) or direct pain medication injections.

After about a week, over-the-counter medications like Tylenol are usually sufficient to manage lingering discomfort. In some cases, muscle relaxer drugs may be used to release some of the “stiffness” patients feel around their breasts. To help your body generate some of those good, natural painkillers like endorphins, we also sometimes recommend some very light exercise such as short walks around the house.

Contact Us to Learn More if You’re Considering a Breast Augmentation

If you’re thinking about breast augmentation to regain your confidence, or for any other reason, do yourself a favor and discuss all your options with a skilled, experienced, and board-certified plastic surgeon like Dr. Christopher K. Livingston. Dr. Livingston and our team of breast augmentation experts will walk you through surgery and recovery processes. He’ll also build an individualized treatment plan to help make your personal desires come true.

To schedule your consultation at Livingston Plastic Surgery in Houston, TX, please call our practice at (281) 501-1812. You can also contact us through our website with questions or to receive more information.