Breast augmentation is a major surgery which entails a number of risks and complications that is why it is important that you come prepared before going through with it. But we can make things more manageable for you.
With these steps, you can adequately prepare for breast augmentation surgery, and even give yourself the best chances in achieving successful results
PREOPERATIVE PREPARATION
Don’t be overwhelmed by this checklist, but rather, take this as a guide to prepare what is necessary. ‘
Preparing your body
- Eating healthy seems like a no brainer since we already know that obtaining the right amount of nutrients can give you a stronger body in preparation for a traumatic experience. But more to this, eating healthy also aids in healing better improving the possibility of impressive results.
- Exercising daily can also help you recover faster. The reason is that exercise improves circulation, and with that, the skin and other structures can heal better.
- If you are taking medications that have blood thinning properties, you may need to consult this with your primary care physician so that he can replace this with another drug that does not have the same effect. This should be done at least 2-4 weeks before surgery.
- It is important that your surgeon knows any medication, herbs and supplements that you are taking. There is always a good chance that it might affect surgery and healing.
Preparing your budget
- You need to make sure that you have the right budget for your surgery because this is not covered by insurance.
- Never settle for cheap surgery because this could just end up with disastrous results.
Preparing your lifestyle and activities of daily living
- Avoid smoking at least 2 weeks before surgery. This depletes the oxygen carrying capacity of the red blood cells decreasing their ability to promote healing.
- Decrease alcohol consumption because alcohol increases your tolerance to anaesthesia and it also has blood thinning effects placing you at greater risk for bleeding.
- File your leave ahead of time, and allow yourself to get enough rest.
- Arrange your home, place medications near your bedside, clear your room and clean the house ahead of time. Move necessities that are placed in high shelves to lower positions. This is to make sure that everything is easily accessible and comfortable for you to move around in.
- Stock your pantry and fridge ahead of time. Opt for easily digestible foods such as crackers, soups or jellies. You might also want to get more fibre because pain medications always have a tendency to cause constipation.
- Prepare ginger ale, cola or sports drink within reach, most preferably at your bedside. This is preferable over plain water after surgery because the latter can increase nausea.
- Your upper torso have to be elevated after surgery, so you have to stock up on more pillows to keep you reclined.
- Prepare loose and comfy clothes because this can be more comfortable after surgery.
- Arrange for someone to take you home after surgery. Having someone over to accompany you the night after the procedure would be good so that you can have assistance around the house.
Choosing the right implant size
- Take a photo of yourself in the nude, and take both front and side angles. This will help the surgeon get a better profile of your breasts for him to decide which would suit best for you.
- Bring a photo of the type of breast size that you are going for. This is to give the doctor an idea on the look that you are trying to achieve.
- Ask if the doctor has computer breast enhancing programs. Virtual breast implant models can give you a better idea about what to expect.
- Always go for the implants that would suit your size best and not that would overwhelm your profile. You want to improve your figure and not to draw unwanted stares to your overly sized breasts later on.
What to expect during a consultation
- Full physical examination – The surgeon would perform a thorough physical examination. This is to assess any physical problems that could affect surgery or its outcome. PE can also help the surgeon determine the right breast implant size for you.
- Laboratory workup – The doctor would prescribe a CBC (Complete Blood Count) to check for infection, iron or oxygen levels in the blood and clotting factors. Your blood sugar levels may also be checked to check if it is increased. If so, this can pose a risk for prolonged healing.
- Imaging – The doctor may have your baseline x-ray or mammogram taken.
POST-OPERATIVE PREPARATIONS
Your preparation for breast augmentation surgery should also extend beyond the surgery itself but also way into recovery. How you recover can largely determine the final results.
- Immediate
- Make sure that you have an extra elastic bandage or compression garments ready. It should be expected that the one placed on you at the surgeon’s office could become soiled. Having a spare can protect your breasts from infection.
- Some surgeons may opt to have surgical drains placed in. Make sure that you empty this on time and take note of the fluid and immediately report any unusual reaction (e.g. foul smelling, the presence of pus, bloody discharge).
- You may want to make use of Arnica or Bromelain to help reduce bruising and swelling after surgery.
- You should know how to properly do breast massages because this can help you avoid capsular contractures and it also allows your breast implants to settle properly.
- Proper positioning while sleeping is also necessary. Although it may be uncomfortable at first but condition yourself to avoid sleeping on your chest to avoid putting pressure on your chest.
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Long term
1. Monitoring
MRI scans are recommended by the Food and Drug Administration for every two years to monitor the condition of the silicone breast implants. Some doctors may go for mammograms while there are also new studies suggesting that CT scans can also provide good imaging. Coordinate or ask your surgeon about this, and see how he plans to go with aftercare.
2. Breastfeeding
Some women express concerns about breastfeeding and breast implants. If you have plans about getting pregnant in the future coordinate with your surgeon on the incision approach to use. Areolar incisions can disrupt milk ducts and affect one’s ability to breastfeed. There is no need to worry about silicone leaking into the milk because it molecular component is too big to get absorbed into the milk ducts.
3. The possibility of another surgery
Instances that would require another surgery include implant rupture, deflation, displacement, asymmetry and infection.
Over time, your breasts may succumb to the effects of ageing resulting in breast sagging or it might be oversized for your body resulting in pain and discomfort. That is why you might need to get a revision done.
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For a more thorough discussion on breast augmentation surgery, book your consultation today.
