Cosmetic Surgery Charleston Dr. Widenhouse Blog

Although infection is a rare complication of breast augmentation surgery (1-2%), you should know the signs of a developing infection so you can recognize it and have it treated immediately. After your procedure, Dr. Widenhouse will provide you with a brief course of antibiotics and post-operative care instructions to help you avoid infection and other potential complications.

However, in the unusual event that an infection does occur, some of the most obvious symptoms will include:

• Fever
• Local heat
• Drainage
• Excessive swelling a month after surgery
• Redness and tenderness a month after surgery

If you notice any of these symptoms, contact Dr. Widenhouse as soon as possible. The quicker these symptoms are treated, the easier it will be to manage and eliminate your infection without needing to remove your implants.

If you have further questions about breast augmentation, please contact us today to schedule a personal consultation with experienced breast surgeon Dr. Brian G. Widenhouse. Port City Plastic Surgery serves patients throughout the Charleston, South Carolina area.

Every patient heals differently. Dr. Widenhouse will closely monitor your recovery progress after your breast augmentation procedure and advise when it is safe for you to exercise again. In most cases, you should refrain from strenuous activities for a minimum of two to three weeks to prevent your surgical incisions from re-opening.

You are encouraged to take gentle walks within a few days of your procedure, as this will help improve your blood flow, facilitate healing, and prevent blood clots. However, you should avoid aerobic exercise, since this can raise your blood pressure and cause late bleeding, harming your results. As long as your job is sedentary, you should be able to comfortably return to work after about a week.

Any activity that strains your torso should be avoided until you are fully healed. Close follow-up with Dr. Widenhouse will help ensure you resume exercise within the appropriate amount of time, without compromising your health or your results.

If you have further questions about breast augmentation recovery, please contact us today to schedule a personal consultation with experienced breast surgeon Dr. Brian G. Widenhouse. Port City Plastic Surgery serves patients throughout the Charleston, South Carolina area.

Scarring is minimal following a breast augmentation.Usually, the scar is about 3-4 centimetersThe incision cite can also dictate the size of the scar. Your surgeon will explain the different incision cites and offer his opinion as to which is beast for you. There are three different incision locations you can choose from:

• Inframmary – Under your breast fold.
• Periareolar – Around the edge of your areola (nipple).
• Transaxillary – In your armpit.

These locations have been used by plastic surgeons for decades – not only because they do a good job of hiding scars, but because there is little to no pull on your skin in each area, allowing the incision to heal without disturbance.

You can also take steps on your own to prevent scarring. If you are smoker, stop as far in advance of your breast augmentation as possible. Smoking can seriously impede healing and affect the texture of your skin, leaving your scars more noticeable than they would be otherwise.

After your procedure, closely follow all post-operative care instructions provided by Dr. Widenhouse. By refraining from strenuous activity for the proper amount of time and keeping your surgical wounds protected, you can ensure a smooth healing process with a minimal scar.

If you have further questions about breast augmentation and scarring, please contact us today to schedule a personal consultation. Port City Plastic Surgery serves patients throughout the Charleston, South Carolina area.

A common concern many patients have about the breast lift procedure is the amount of pain that will be involved. This is a difficult question to answer, since every patient’s pain threshold is different. What seems especially painful to one patient may be only a minor discomfort for another.

During the surgery itself, you will not feel anything, since you will be under IV sedation for the entire procedure. Most of the pain you may experience will come in the first couple of days following your procedure. You can expect your breasts to be swollen, sore, and bruised for several days, but the early discomfort can be easily managed with pain medication. Dr. Widenhouse will work with you to ensure your comfort level is maintained throughout the healing process.

After about a week, you should be able to use a lighter pain medication to manage any lingering discomfort. Most patients are able to return to normal daily activities at this time. How quickly you heal will depend upon a few different factors, including how closely you follow Dr. Widenhouse’s post-operative care instructions, and the rate your body naturally heals. Every patient is different, and we will tailor our post-operative care to meet your needs.

If you have further questions about what to expect from the breast lift process, please contact us today to schedule a personal consultation with experienced South Carolina plastic surgeon Dr. Brian G. Widenhouse at Port City Plastic Surgery.