A few recovery questions!

Hi everyone, I have a few questions I'd like to ask concerning recovery. I had surgery to correct breast asymmetry, an implant placed in the smaller breast, over the muscle. The implant was only 155cc. I had the surgery on the 29th May. 

Anyway, my questions:

I've read it's 6 weeks for going back to exercise post BA, whereas the NHS website says 4 weeks: for me, what do you think would be best? I'd like to start gentle exercise (that doesn't include using the chest muscles) at 4 weeks post op.

I'm going on holiday on the 8th August: will I be able to swim in the pool? I've read conflicting advice on this. I'm aware I need to make sure I have plenty of sun cream on my scar :)

Finally: when can I start using gels etc to help with the appearance of the scar? Is kelo cote the best one to use?

Sorry for all the questions! It's a bit difficult to contact my surgeon, since it was done on the NHS. Plus, I just get shy about bothering her. 

Thank you :)

AL41192 wrote:I've read it's 6 weeks for going back to exercise post BA, whereas the NHS website says 4 weeks: for me, what do you think would be best? I'd like to start gentle exercise (that doesn't include using the chest muscles) at 4 weeks post op.

i think its best you listen to YOUR own surgeon hun. If your surgeon thinks 4 weeks is fine for  YOU then you'll be fine to go with that.

When having surgery 'privately' you're mostly instructed to have a 6 week recovery period. This recovery period plus more is covered by an 'aftercare policy' if the ladies going private dont follow the advise by their surgeon then they risk losing their aftercare too and having to pay for any revision that may be required through not listening to their surgeon.

If you feel concerned that 4 weeks isn't enough for YOU then there's no harm in waiting until you feel ready. Although you're told it's OK, its actually up to you entirely after being given the all clear to resume excercise when you feel its the right time for YOU. Or you could arrange a consultation with your surgeon and ask why 'private' patients are given a six week window for recovery whilst you're being advised 4 if its bothering you babe.

I'm going on holiday on the 8th August: will I be able to swim in the pool? I've read conflicting advice on this. I'm aware I need to make sure I have plenty of sun cream on my scar :)

It depends... If your wounds are fully healed and your surgeon gives you the all clear to swim in 'public areas' then there's no reason why you shouldn't be able to. But if your surgeon doesn't give you the all clear you run the risk of infection. You don't know what's in the water babe and people DO go swimming with all kinds of infection. If your wound has any openings then this will put you at risk.

Finally: when can I start using gels etc to help with the appearance of the scar? Is kelo cote the best one to use?

When you again get the all clear from your surgeon. This is generally around 6 weeks post-op.

if you use anything on your wounds before you get the all clear you again run the risk of infection.

kelo-cote is no better than the other silicone scar treatments hun. Trust me... I've tried 'em all. Unless you have reason to go out and spend money on scar treatments then its really not necessary. The massage alone should be enough to help break down the scar tissue. My first scars I never touched at all and they healed to a perfect almost invisible line. I had problems with my second surgery which resulted in bad scars. I tried all the treatments advised to help scar healing spending A LOT of money, but my scars were bad and stayed that way, but with bad scars I felt the cost was warranted and worth a try. If your scars look good, then maybe get some Bio-oil to use at first to make the massage easier, rather than spending money on products you don't really need at all.

of course if you want to... That's entirely up to you.

Sorry for all the questions! It's a bit difficult to contact my surgeon, since it was done on the NHS. Plus, I just get shy about bothering her. 

Don't worry lovely. We're more than happy to help. Xx

Thanks so much Cookie :) I'm not seeing my surgeon again until the 30th August, which is obviously after my holiday. What I think I'll do is just avoid submerging the scar in the water, just to be on the safe side. I don't want to risk infection! x

Couldn't you see your GP for advise to tell you if the scar is up to being submerged in a public swimming area?

If they can give you the all clear before you go you should be fine babe. The end of August is a long way off and you really should be OK by then, but do get the all clear to cover your own back. If you ever did get an infection the NHS would have to take responsibility for their own advise.

If you get the all clear, I'd advise you just keep an eye out for any 'spitting stitches' these are stitches that can work themselves to the top of the skin weeks after surgery. If you do see any stitches come through then do not go in the public swimming pools babe. Xx

It's difficult for me to get to the surgeon travel wise, its quite a journey away and I'm not a confident driver. So, a family member had been taking me, but she has a new job which is going to make that difficult. What I could do is call the suregon's secretary and see if she can provide me a way of contacting her. I'll keep that in mind about splitting stitches, I have never heard of them before! Thank you :) x

That's OK AL.... I meant in the post hun, if you could get your doctor to check the stitches babe. You're still under NHS care in them and getting advise through the NHS so would be covered for any eventuality. Xx