What Are Things I Should Be Doing to Prepare for Breast Implant Surgery?

Thank you for the question.

Some common advice patients are given prior to surgery include  avoidance of aspirin/anti-inflammatories or other medications that may increase the risk of bleeding,  avoid nicotine products, and avoid piercings/jewelry/antiperspirants the day of surgery.  We ask patients  to bring loosefitting, zip up clothing  to the surgery center  the morning  of surgery.

A few other general words of advice may be helpful:

1. Make sure you are doing the procedure for the right reasons (for yourself)  and that you have realistic expectations.  Be aware that an improvement in the “problem area” may not translate to an overall improvement in your life   situation.  You are bound to be disappointed with results of the procedure if your motivation for doing the surgery is not internally driven.

2. Time your surgery carefully; generally, it is not a good idea to have surgery done during or immediately after a stressful period in life (for example divorce or death of a loved one). The additional stress of surgery will undoubtedly be  more challenging to deal with if a patient's emotional reserves our already exhausted. Remember, that an improvement in your physical appearance will not translate to an improvement in your life situation.

3. If possible speak to patients who have undergone similar procedures and query them about the toughest times of their recovery period. Any practical hints previous patients can provide may be very helpful.

4. Make sure you are aware of potential complications that may arise how to reach your surgeon if necessary.

5. Make sure you have a strong and patient support system (several people if possible) in place who have time/patience to take care of you. Arrange for professional nursing if any doubt exists regarding the availability and/or stamina  of your caretakers.

6. Be patient with the healing process, understanding that it will take several weeks to months to feel “normal” again. It may also take many months/year to see the end results of your surgery.

7. Be prepared to distract your mind with things of interest such as books, magazines, and movies.

8. Expect less of yourself; do not go back to work, school or chores too early and let others take care of you (for a change).

9. Pick your surgeon carefully (a well experienced board-certified plastic surgeon) and trust in his/her advice. Keep in close communication with your surgeon and do not hesitate to communicate questions/concerns and the   emotional swings that you may experience.

10. Resume all medications that you were using preoperatively when cleared by your plastic surgeon and stop the use of narcotics and sedatives as soon as feasible after surgery.

11. Keep in mind the end results as you go through the tougher emotional times after your surgery.

I hope this helps.
 

Disclaimer: Every surgeon has different pre-operative instructions, or preferences. You should listen to your own surgeon.
These are my pre-op instructions:
1. DO NOT have anything to drink or eat after midnight on the night before surgery.
2. Be sure to wear loose fitting clothes on the day of surgery. Do not wear a shirt that has to be pulled over your head. Instead wear a shirt that has buttons or a zipper along the front.
3. Leave all jewelry at home.
4. Leave contact lenses at home.
5. Do not wear make-up or nail polish on the day of surgery.
6. Do not have alcoholic beverages for at least one week before surgery. Drinking alcohol may cause you to bleed more than usual during and after surgery.
7. If you develop acne, a rash or other skin lesions on your chest prior to surgery, please notify the officeimmediately.
8. If you develop a cold, fever or other symptoms prior to surgery, please notify the office immediately.
9. If you have children, we recommend that you arrange for help because bending, lifting and playing will be prohibited after surgery for at least one week.
10. Avoid sunbathing and tanning salons for at least two weeks prior to surgery. Avoid it also for at least six weeks after surgery.
11. Arrangements must be made for someone to drive you home after surgery and for the first week aftersurgery. We will notify you when you will be able to drive yourself.
I hope that answers your question on preparing for surgery. It’s great that you’re doing this research. I always say that the best patients are informed patients.
You might also want to research your options for breast implants. Choosing the right implant is the number one concern among women considering breast augmentation. Did you know, there’s actually a way to select a implant shape, size, and profile that is perfect for you?
A term that I use with my patients for the perfect implant is the “Pony Implant”.
So what do I mean by “perfect”? Well, a Pony Implant has three qualities to it. First, the implant meets your beauty goals. For example, you want to your breasts to look fuller while still appearing natural.
Second, when you chose your Pony Implant, you walk out of your consultation 100% confident that you’ve chosen the right shape and size for you. In other words, you won’t be second guessing your decision, and you won’t be afraid of having gone too big or too small.
And third, after your procedure, you are thrilled with your results, and say, "I’m so happy. This is exactly what I wanted!"
That’s the Pony Implant. And the great news is that there is a simple process to go about finding yours.
This issue of selecting the right implant is so important when it comes to patient satisfaction or dissatisfaction that, again, I really encourage you to learn more about it.
Thank you for reading and best of luck on your journey!

Thank you for your question. Before meeting with your surgeon, you may want to take the opportunity to discuss your concerns and expectations with one of our specialist plastic surgery nurses. She will give you information about this procedure and discuss what is involved in detail, including post-operative care and recovery. She will show you before and after photographs of patients who have had this surgery to help you understand what can be achieved.

As well as discussing the question of what is achievable aesthetically, your surgeon will also ask you about your medical history, examine your breasts, and photograph and measure you. Depending on your age and family history, your surgeon may recommend that you have a mammogram prior to your operation.

There are a number of factors that you and your surgeon need to take into account. What is the overall quality of your breast tissue and will a breast lift (mastopexy) also be necessary. Where should the incisions be hidden? Should the implant be positioned under or above the chest muscles? These all have an important bearing on the desired result. Best of luck!Dhaval M. Patel Double Board Certified Plastic Surgeon Hoffman Estates Barrington Oakbrook Chicago