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Speeding Up Chest Reconstruction Top Surgery Recovery

Chest reconstruction top surgery recovery and healing will take some time, however, there are steps you can take to help speed up the process. This article provides general instructions on what you can do before and after your gender confirming surgery to ensure a faster recovery. We discuss medications, supplements, remedies, and lifestyle changes such as quitting smoking and altering your diet that can affect your body’s healing process.

Post-surgical swelling and bruising are natural consequences of most surgical procedures. If you are considering chest reconstruction top surgery, it’s important to know that temporary bruising and swelling are inevitable. In most cases, bruising and swelling will last for several days and more commonly several weeks following your procedure.

Making sure that you have a safe and comfortable recovery is one of our surgeons’ primary goals. Your surgeon will provide you with specific instructions before and after surgery to ensure the fastest recovery possible.

Pre-Surgery: Steps You Can Take to Speed up the Healing Process

While healing will always take some time, there are steps that you can take in advance of surgery to speed up recovery. The information below is meant to serve as a guide. Your surgeon  will provide you with more in-depth instructions during your personal consultation.

Stop Smoking: Current smokers considering surgery should quit all forms of nicotine completely at least one month in advance of surgery. Cigarette smoke can negatively affect blood flow to the skin, which delays wound healing, may result in undesirable scarring and discoloration, and can threaten nipple survival. 

Low Sodium Foods : Excess sodium can cause your body to retain fluid, which can prolong swelling. Eating foods low in sodium  (less than 2,000mg a day) a week before  and two weeks after your procedure will help minimize water retention,and ultimately reduce post-surgical swelling.

Avoid Certain Medications: Blood thinners, anti-inflammatory medications and certain herbal supplements are known to increase your risk of bleeding and bruising. These medications and supplements should be discontinued at least 7 to 10 days prior to surgery. You should discuss your use of all prescriptions, over-the-counter medications, and herbal supplements with your surgeon before your surgery. We will provide you with a full list of what to avoid as part of your preoperative visit.

Natural Healing Remedies: Arnica Montana and Bromelain

Arnica Montana and Bromelain are frequently used to speed up the healing process. Arnica Montana is a plant-based herbal medicine which has been used for hundreds of years to reduce swelling, bruising and pain. Bromelain is made from pineapple extract and works as a natural anti-inflammatory to minimize post-surgical swelling.

Our surgeons frequently recommend Arnica Montana and Bromelain to patients recovering from chest reconstruction top surgery. If you are a good candidate for either of these remedies, your surgeon will provide you with specific pre-and post-surgical instructions.