Both swelling and bruising are the body’s tactical responses to trauma, in this case, surgical intervention. Swelling occurs as part of the inflammatory response, helping to isolate the affected area, thus preventing the spread of any potential harm. It also represents the local response to the surgical trauma. On the other hand, bruising results from diffusion of the blood accumulated in the surgical sites. The body tries to break them down in to essential products, which causes visible discolouration.
In this blog, Melbourne Specialist Plastic Surgeon Dr Carmen will explore effective strategies to manage and minimise the appearance of swelling and bruising, ensuring a more comfortable, efficient, and less stressful recovery period.
When you undergo any form of surgical procedure, your body jumps into a protective mode, initiating a series of responses. Swelling and bruising are frontliners in this process, serving as tangible evidence that your body’s healing mechanisms are in operation. But what really sets off these reactions?
Surgery is a controlled form of trauma, and it’s this injury that triggers your body’s defence system. The area becomes inflamed – a cocktail of protective blood cells, nutrients, and antibodies rush in, and this is what causes swelling. It’s your body’s way of cushioning the area, ready to fight off any infection and start the healing process.
Bruising, the discolouration you see, comes from blood that’s leaked out of the vessels during surgery. When these tiny vessels or capillaries break, blood escapes and starts to pool under the skin, showing up as those blue, purple, or yellowish marks.
After surgery, your body goes into overdrive. This trauma response includes sending signal cells to the area to attract help, increasing blood flow, and setting off a chain of reactions that help prevent infection. It’s a complex, well-orchestrated event where every cell and protein has a part to play, and it all happens without you even realising it.
Your blood vessels are like highways, transporting all sorts of essential materials to and from the site. When you’re healing, you want the right stuff – like oxygen and white blood cells – to get to where they’re most needed fast. That’s why you might notice the area feels warmer or looks redder, it’s due to this increased traffic.
Blood clots act like traffic cops, preventing major blood loss by forming a plug. They’re what helps stop the bleeding on the inside, ensuring you don’t lose too much blood.
Then there’s fluid accumulation. After surgery, your body sends extra fluid to the site, causing what you know as swelling. While it can feel uncomfortable, this process is intended to stabilise the area, keeping it secure as your body focuses on healing.
Here are some methods to use if you want to minimise bruising and swelling:
Introducing cold compresses to the affected area is a classic move in your recovery playbook, and for a good reason. Swelling and bruising don’t take well to the cold. Here’s why: cold temperatures constrict your blood vessels (a process known as vasoconstriction), reducing the flow of blood and other fluids into the area where you’ve had surgery. This reaction not only limits the intensity of swelling and bruising but also helps alleviate pain, making you more comfortable.
How to use cold compresses the right way: It’s simpler than you might think. Grab a cold pack or even a bag of frozen peas from the freezer. Wrap it in a cloth or towel – you don’t want to apply it directly to your skin. Hold the wrapped compress against the affected area for about 20 minutes. After that, give your skin a break for at least 40 minutes before you apply the cold again. Do this a few times a day, especially in the first 48 hours after surgery, and you’ll likely notice a difference.
Your body is a bit like a machine, and after any big event, like surgery, it needs a bit of downtime to recharge and repair. Rest is when your body gets its best work done. While you’re resting, your body focuses on repair, ensuring everything gets back to its best. By resting, you’re giving your body the best shot at a quick recovery, which means Swelling and Bruising won’t hang around longer than needed.
Why elevating the area makes a difference: Think of elevation as a bit of a helping hand. When you lift the surgery area, say by propping up with some pillows, you’re using gravity to your advantage. Fluid that might accumulate and cause swelling doesn’t get as much of a chance to settle. Instead, it’s encouraged to move away from the area. Less fluid means less of us, which is good news for you.
Compression garments are specially designed to apply consistent pressure to the surgical area. This ‘squeeze’ performs a simple yet important task: it helps keep swelling down and prevents fluid from collecting at the site. By doing so, it not only enhances your comfort but also assists in shaping the area as it heals, contributing to a smoother contour in the aftermath of the procedure.
The pressure from these garments also plays a supportive role for your blood vessels, guiding the blood flow and reducing the likelihood of blood pooling and clot formation. This is essential in the healing stages, ensuring that the area receives a steady supply of nutrients while removing waste products through the blood.
Selecting the proper compression garment is key to your comfort and recovery. Here are a few tips:
Recovery after a breast lift isn’t just about dealing with the physical aspects; it’s also about managing discomfort and reducing the likelihood of complications. While swelling and bruising are standard visitors during your recovery, you don’t have to host them without some assistance. Here’s how you can use medications and supplements to lessen their stay.
There are several over-the-counter (OTC) products that can help manage your comfort levels and influence swelling and bruising:
The path to recovery is not just about what you do; it’s also about what you don’t do. Certain activities could invite swelling and bruising to linger, delaying your comfort and the final result you’re eager to see. Here’s a straightforward guide on what activities to sidestep during your recovery.
After surgery, your body needs time to repair and regenerate. Engaging in strenuous physical activities disrupts this delicate process.
Remember, light walking and minor movements are encouraged to boost circulation.
Environmental factors play a role in your healing journey. Here’s why you should be cautious:
Adopt protective measures like wearing sunscreen if you have to be outdoors, but generally, try to stay in cool, shaded areas.
Dietary choices can impact swelling and bruising. Some foods and drinks to reconsider include: