Wednesday, July 21, 2010

Treat Breast Reduction Surgery Pain

Treat Breast Reduction Surgery Pain


One of the most common side effects women report following a breast reduction operation is post-surgical pain, which can be intense. It generally occurs when the patient moves about in the days following the procedure, and can be treated effectively with the help of your plastic surgeon or regular physician.


Instructions


Reduce the Pain Caused by Breast Reduction Surgery


1. Understand that post-surgical pain is but one of several potential side effects you might face following breast reduction surgery. Others include asymmetrical breasts or nipples, the inability to produce mammary milk, an adverse reaction to the anesthetic used or a loss of feeling in the breasts or nipples.


2. Treat the immediate pain you're likely to be in during the first few days following surgery by taking the prescription painkillers your plastic surgeon prescribes. Opioid analgesics are commonly given to women following reductive mammaplasty procedures, but you can always treat pain with other painkillers if you have concerns about the possibility of forming a drug dependency.


3. Use your prescription medications only as directed by your doctor or pharmacist. The risk of forming a dependency is greatly reduced if you follow directions for drug use carefully.


4. Understand that you will experience general soreness in the region of your breasts for quite some time following the operation. Generally, it shouldn't cause too much discomfort, as long as you follow doctor's orders regarding your proper recovery. In general, patients are advised to limit their physical activity until fully healed and to avoid sexual activity for a week to 10 days after the surgery.


5. Treat any painful sores that develop around your breasts with antibiotic creams or ointments, as prescribed by your physician or plastic surgeon. Sores of this nature usually go away after a short while, without causing any further complications.


6. Understand that follow-up surgery may be required in order to treat unusually severe or persistent post-surgical pain. Sometimes, unanticipated damage to nerves, blood vessels and other bodily structures cause prolonged periods of pain in patients. Your plastic surgeon can reduce such pain by surgically correcting the undesired side effect.


7. Remain in close contact with your physician or plastic surgeon in the initial weeks following surgery. Report any side effects or pains that seem severe, unexpected or prolonged.







Tags: plastic surgeon, post-surgical pain, side effects, Understand that, Breast Reduction, Breast Reduction Surgery