How often can I ice after breast augmentation? (Photo)

I generally don't recommend ice for breast patients as the implant is so far from the skin surface it does little good nor is it helpful after the point of maximum swelling, after the first 3 days.Discuss this with your surgeon and follow his directions!#iceaftersurgery#breastaugmentation#BA

you'll get a soreness or a burn, even necrosis with implant extrusion, don't put ice on that numb skin!

Best to ask your plastic surgeon about his or her post op protocol for pain/soreness. I advise my patients NOT to ice at all because of the possibility of burning the skin if you are numb. Ibuprofen typically works well for muscle soreness. Good luck!

Dear Jen4boobies,



Icing is really only helpful the first two or
three days at which point you should hit roughly the peak of your swelling.
Elevation and anti-inflammatories such as Ibuprofen are also helpful for
swelling and pain relief and will reduce the amount of narcotic pain medicine
you need. Everyone has a different protocol. You should have a buffer of a
towel between the cold source and your skin, and you should not be icing more
than 50% of the time.



I have actually had a patient give herself
frostbite on a section of a tummy tuck flap, so be forewarned not to over do
it.



I hope this has been helpful.



Robert D. Wilcox, MD

Ice helps a LOT, and I usually recommend 30 minutes on then off. No matter what you do make sure you take some time off, as in theory too much cold can stifle blood flow to the area. If that is you in the photo with the frozen veggies I would also make sure you have some sort of buffer between you and the ice packs such as a hand towel or rag of some sort, as direct contact can lead to frostbite. 

Your plastic surgeon will always be your best resource when it comes to postoperative care questions. Some plastic surgeons have very strong opinions... If you do decide to use either modality of ice or heat, please be sure that you do not place them directly on the skin and potentially “burn” the skin, which may be numb.Best wishes.