If you decide to undergo breast implant surgery during the summer months, you could begin enjoying the warmer temperatures and outdoor living as soon as two to three weeks following your procedure. Before you finalize a summertime procedure date, however, there are some factors related to your recovery that you should consider. These factors include how to protect your incisions from the sun and potential infection, and which types of swimwear will provide the best support.

Protecting Your Incisions from the Sun & Potential Infection

While all breast augmentation patients should carefully monitor the healing of their incisions, it is especially important for women who undergo summertime procedures to protect their incisions from the sun and potential infection.

Surgical incisions form scars that are sensitive to sunlight. Allowing the sun’s damaging rays to reach your incisions before they are completely healed can increase the risk of hyperpigmentation. This condition triggers an overproduction of melanin, which causes patches of skin to darken. More specifically, your incisions may become significantly darker than the surrounding skin. To avoid hyperpigmentation, your surgeon may recommend keeping your incisions out of direct sunlight for at least six months to a year following your procedure. He or she may also suggest putting sunscreen on your breasts and placing surgical tape over your incisions for added protection while you’re outside.

Protecting yourself from infection is another important consideration following summertime breast augmentation. While a quick dip in the pool, ocean, or a hot tub after sunbathing may seem appealing, submerging your incisions in water within two weeks following surgery is not recommended. Water may carry bacteria that can enter the body through an unhealed incision and cause infection.

Purchasing Supportive Swimwear

Purchasing swimwear that shows off your new silhouette will likely be at the forefront of your mind following your procedure. It’s important to remember, however, that you’ll be required to wear a compression bra 24 hours a day during the first two to six weeks after your procedure. This can help support the breasts, reduce swelling, and limit strain on the incision closures, which encourages healing.

When you are no longer required to wear a compression bra and you’re ready to don a bathing suit, it’s still important to choose a garment that will properly support your breasts. When searching for supportive swimwear, consider your body shape and augmented cup size. Women with larger breasts may benefit from wearing banded halter tops or tops that feature wide straps. These bathing suit tops offer the most support and lift for augmented breasts. Tankini tops are another good supportive swimwear option, as they are designed to evenly distribute the weight of the breasts on the shoulders.

During the early stages of your recovery, it’s best to avoid triangle bikini tops, as well as bandeau-style tops, as these options probably will not provide you with enough support and may impact how well your incisions heal. Additionally, your surgeon will likely recommend that you avoid purchasing and wearing swimsuits or bras constructed with underwire, which can rub and irritate incision sites and hinder proper healing.

Learn More at Your Consultation

To gain a better understanding of the factors that could influence your recovery after a summertime breast augmentation, consult with an experienced plastic surgeon who is certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery. He or she can give you a professional opinion regarding the procedure or combination of procedures that will best help you meet your aesthetic goals, as well as provide you with detailed instructions to ensure proper healing and the best overall results.

Katie Perry is an online content editor in the Tampa Bay area. She posts articles about plastic surgery topics and procedures including breast augmentation, breast implants, and more.

Katie Perry is an online content editor in the Tampa Bay area. She posts articles about plastic surgery topics and procedures including breast augmentation, breast implants, and more. http://bayshoreplasticsurgery.com

Author Bio: Katie Perry is an online content editor in the Tampa Bay area. She posts articles about plastic surgery topics and procedures including breast augmentation, breast implants, and more.

Category: Womens Interest
Keywords: breast implants, breast enhancement, breast enlargement, breast augmentation