How to control the pain after undergoing breast surgery


Can pain be controlled?

The reality of any surgery is that you will experience some discomfort. Your surgeon should be candid with you about the pain that you are likely to experience and discuss the various means to control that pain. You need to directly share your ability to cope with pain and your pain thresholds with your surgeon. Pain management is an important part of breast surgery, and your surgeon will provide you a means to cope. However, it is equally important during the recovery process to surround yourself with people and things that comfort you. Place yourself in an environment of serenity and put aside anything (or anyone) that causes you stress.

There are many means of controlling pain. Today, prescription or over-the-counter oral pain medications work safely and well to lessen moderate pain. For individuals who cannot tolerate these medications and who don’t like some of the associated side effects such as nausea or drowsiness, there is an alternative that is now commonly used following surgery: a pain pump. A pain pump is small handheld device attached to thin tubing that leads to your incision or surgical site. The pain pump delivers local anesthetic to the surgical site only, thereby lessening your discomfort and the side effects of pain medications. The advantages are that only the surgical site is treated, and that you have control of your pain. However, pain pumps are only temporary. You must accept a little discomfort during the recovery process. Acute pain, or a sudden onset of new pain is not something you must accept, however. If this is something you experience, contact your surgeon right away.

How can I camouflage the signs that I have had surgery?

When clothed, no one will likely notice you have had breast surgery, even in the first few days following surgery. During that time, if you are swollen and sore, loose, comfortable clothing that buttons or zips in front is your best bet. You won’t want to be pulling anything over your head in those first few days after any kind of breast surgery. Once you are out and about, a shirt or sweater that fits you properly, even one that is more fitted, will easily conceal a support bra or any swelling. Set aside or purchase a few support bras and tops in varying styles prior to your surgery. Cotton bras are generally more comfortable during healing, as is a front closure. Make certain you don’t wear bras or support garments with underwires until you are advised that you may wear them. During the first few weeks after breast surgery, before your breast position and shape fully settle, don’t wear anything too revealing. When you follow these measures, it is likely your breast surgery won’t be revealed.

When you are ready to wear a swimsuit, one that is more athletic in design or that is designed with a builtin shelf bra will likely be more comfortable, more flattering, and provide more coverage. But once you have healed completely and breast position has settled, any swimsuit or clothing that makes you feel comfortable and confident is your limit.

Legal Disclaimer

Our website is not responsible for the information contained by this article. Webworldarticles.com is a free articles resource thus practically any visitor can submit an article. However if you notice any copyrighted material, please contact us and we will remove the article(s) in discussion right away.


This article was sent to us by: Lilian Stewart at 01272010

Related Articles

1. Breast reconstruction and general types of free flaps
Unlike a pedicled TRAM or latissimus flap that remains tethered to its original blood supply, free flaps are flaps of skin and fat, and in some cases muscle, which ar...

2. Eat cabbage family vegetables several times a week
Eat cabbage family (cruciferous) vegetables several times a week I know you just got through hearing about the importance of fruits and vegetables. But this f...

3. Eat omega 3 rich fish several times a week
Eat omega-3 rich fish several times a week Omega-3 fatty acids have been shown to decrease the risk of heart attacks and are linked to lowering blood pressure...

4. Cut your colorectal risk by reducing the amount of red meat you eat
Eat less red meat Some experts believe you can cut your colorectal risk in half just by reducing the amount of red meat you eat to one serving a day. How does...

5. Does the type of fat consumed relate to colon cancer prevention
Eat less saturated fat and avoid eating a high-fat diet Personally, I don’t believe that eating a very low-fat diet (around 10 percent calories from fat) ...

6. Cooking with less fat and saturated fat
Cooking with less fat and saturated fat I have a national column and a cookbook called The Recipe Doctor. My mission is to lighten up dishes and/...

7. Eat several servings of whole grains a day to prevent corectal cancer
Eat several servings of whole grains a day Whenever I use the word “several” in a sentence, my little girls always ask me, “how many is seve...

8. Colorectal cancer and folic acid calcium and vitamin E
Take a multivitamin containing some folic acid, calcium, and vitamin E Although you can (and should) get most of the vitamins and minerals you need through fo...

9. The science linking sugar to colon cancer
The science linking sugar to colon cancer There are studies that find a correlation between a high-sugar diet and colorectal cancer, and studies that don’...

10. Alcohol is associated with a higher risk of colorectal cancers
Now, about alcohol Alcohol is associated with a higher risk of colorectal cancers. The more you drink, the higher your colorectal cancer risk. It doesn’t ...