If you’re thinking about a breast augmentation, you’ve probably looked around online for information and maybe talked to friends who’ve had surgery themselves. Perhaps you’ve had some concern about discomfort during the recovery period, such as how long it will last or how much pain you’ll actually feel. If the idea of coping with post-surgical pain is making you hesitate, Dr. Buford uses special techniques for his patients so they will have less pain after breast augmentation.
You’re probably already familiar with standard post-operative recommendations: ice, rest, and narcotic medication for pain control. These are essential to a comfortable recovery, but many patients have concerns about the risks and side effects associated with the use of strong drugs.
During his years as a board-certified Plastic Surgeon, Dr. Buford has developed a concise and effective approach to the breast augmentation procedure; his patients report these methodologies lead to an easier recovery time with less pain. Patients often tell him they’re pleased with the lower-than-expected degree of discomfort they’ve had. He would like to share the specific steps he takes to help ensure an optimal recovery from breast augmentation surgery.
He employs three proven surgical techniques to reduce pain. These involve the application of pain-blocking medication at various stages of the augmentation procedure.
The first and perhaps most important of all is when he administers the intercostal nerve block, performed immediately before the surgery. In essence, this step blocks the pain signals from your breast to your brain. It is uncommon to experience any serious side effects or complications from the nerve block.
The second step is to inject the breasts with a topical numbing medication prior to surgery. He uses the third pain reduction technique after the incisions have been made, when he washes the implant pockets with antibiotic solution and additional numbing medication. These techniques help you be able to switch to a non-narcotic pain medication sooner rather than later.
Dr. Buford’s primary goal in using these proven and effective surgical methods is to help his patients feel more comfortable after surgery. Together these three key anesthesia-based techniques help them experience an easier recovery from breast augmentation. Breast enhancement patients still need to follow his post-operative instructions, such as avoiding strenuous activity for a few weeks. But thanks to the techniques he uses during surgery, your recovery time just might be much easier than expected.