Bruising is something that happens no matter the type of surgery that you go through; this means that you are likely to see some bruises if you undergo a breast augmentation procedure. But what is normal bruising and what constitutes an abnormal situation that needs to be addressed? Keep reading to learn about this and what you should do if abnormal bruising appears.
What Is Normal Surgical Bruising?
Bruising is a natural process that your body goes through as it heals. The bruise is caused by the rupturing of blood vessels and the pooling of blood before the body has an opportunity to break down and dispose of the red blood cells in the area.
Bruises can vary significantly depending on a number of factors, and there are different degrees of bruising. First and second-degree bruises are the most common. First degree bruising appears with some discoloration that is localized to a small area. Pain is minimal and there is little, if any, loss of movement. Second-degree bruises do involve some movement loss and pain, and the bruise will be darker in color. A dark red or purple bruise may be present, and it will be larger than a first-degree one, but it will not be more than one or two inches wide.
The vast majority of surgical bruises will appear within the first 48 hours and they will often take about a week to disappear. They are most likely to appear around the breasts and armpits where the incisions are located.
What Is An Abnormal Bruise?
An abnormal bruise is where the bruise is larger than a few inches wide and may appear almost black. In many cases, the bruise is actually a hematoma, which means that blood has gathered in the area after the surgical procedure. The accumulated blood is the result of bleeding and the bruise is likely to grow over a period longer than 48 hours. This may indicate that the bleeding is a continuous issue that needs immediate care.
If you suspect a hematoma, speak with your breast augmentation surgeon as soon as possible. The surgeon may decide to drain the blood from the area, or cauterization might be necessary to close the blood vessel or vessels that continue to release blood.
If you experience a hematoma, you may be asked to rest, use compression garments on the breasts, and utilize ice on the surgical area for a longer period than normal. This will prevent healing complications and it will also minimize the formation of clots.
In addition, your doctor may go over your medical history again to see if any medications, diseases, or lifestyle choices have contributed to the bleeding. If so, you may need to change medicines or stop habits like smoking.
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