You may be concerned about the cost of a breast augmentation. But, if you are considering getting a breast augmentation, it is important to understand that the procedure is not only cosmetic, but also therapeutic. If you have been considering getting a breast augmentation and want to know how to prepare for it, read on.
If you are thinking about getting a breast augmentation, you need to understand that it is not just a cosmetic procedure. It is also therapeutic and reconstructive. A woman who has had children or lost weight may find that her breasts are no longer in proportion with her body. This can cause emotional distress as well as physical pain due to strain on the back muscles and ligaments.
When you schedule your appointment with your doctor, make sure that you take notes from other consultations so that you can compare them side by side and make an informed decision about which doctor will be best for your needs. Make sure that you ask about their experience with similar cases before making a final decision about who will perform your surgery.
In this guide, we’ll answer your questions about breast implants and make sure you have all the information you need before surgery.
1. Know the Details of Your Procedure
Before scheduling your consultation, it’s important that you understand exactly what will happen during your breast augmentation surgery. Here are some questions you may want to ask your doctor:
How long will my operation take? Will I be asleep? If not, how long will I be awake during the operation? What medications will I need before surgery? What medications will I need after surgery? How soon after my surgery should I return home? What kind of activity restrictions should I expect after my procedure? How much pain will I experience after surgery? How long should I expect my recovery period to last? Will there be any scarring on my breasts or chest wall as a result of this procedure?
2. Stop Smoking
Smoking can cause a great deal of damage to your body and your breasts. Smoking is known to increase the risk of many types of cancer, including cancer in the breast. Women who smoke are more likely to develop malignant breast tumors than women who don’t smoke. If you plan to have breast augmentation surgery, you should stop smoking as soon as possible.
If you’re thinking about having breast augmentation surgery and you smoke, you should talk with your doctor about how this might affect your decision. There are several different types of breast augmentation surgery available, so your doctor may be able to find an option that will work for you even if you do not quit smoking before the procedure.
It’s important that you understand exactly what happens during your surgery so that there are no surprises when it comes time for your operation. Your doctor should explain all aspects of the procedure before it occurs, including risks associated with anesthesia, bleeding during or after surgery and infection.
3. Follow Your Pre-Op Instructions
Your surgeon will give you instructions before your surgery date, including what not to eat or drink after midnight the day before the procedure. He or she may also ask you not to wear makeup or nail polish that day, since these things could cause irritation during your surgery.
4. Eat Right and Stay Hydrated
It’s important to eat a balanced diet and stay hydrated before and after your surgery. In fact, many women find that they feel less bloated after surgery if they drink more fluids than usual. You should also avoid alcohol or any medications that might interfere with healing or increase your risk of bleeding. Ask your doctor about specific recommendations for drinking before or after surgery.
5. Learn How to Change the Bandages
Your surgeon will provide you with instructions on how to change your bandages after surgery. You may be instructed not to remove the gauze pads at all or only part way through your recovery period; either way, you need to know what it looks like under there so you can avoid pulling any stitches out while changing them out.
6. Adjust your diet.
If you’re trying to lose weight, now is not the time to be doing so. You want your body to be at its healthiest before undergoing any kind of invasive surgery, so try to maintain your current weight. If you’re trying to gain weight, however, then it’s time to start eating more healthy foods. Your doctor will advise you on what types of foods are best for you based on your medical history and other factors.
7. Exercise regularly.
Exercise can help reduce stress and anxiety, which may improve your overall mental health and help you feel more prepared for surgery. Exercise also helps with blood flow, which improves healing times after surgery.
8. Get plenty of rest.
You’ll be under general anesthesia, so you won’t be able to get up and move around much after the surgery. It’s important that you get plenty of sleep before your procedure so that you’re fresh and well-rested for your surgery morning.
9. Complete any other procedures you’ve been thinking about.
Surgery is a big decision and takes time to recover from. You may be thinking about getting liposuction or another procedure at the same time as your breast augmentation, but it’s best to complete those procedures before your breast surgery as they can take longer to heal than an implant surgery.
10. Have a friend or family member available to stay with you for the first night or two.
You’ll probably have some discomfort, so having someone who can help with pain medication and making sure you’re taking it as prescribed is important. Also, if you need help getting around or dressing, it’s best if someone else is there for you.
11. Inform your doctor about any medications or supplements you take regularly.
Some medications may cause complications with anesthesia during surgery, so it’s important for your doctor to know about all medications and supplements you’re taking (even herbal remedies).
12. Wear Comfortable Clothing
During recovery, you will experience swelling in your breasts and upper arms. You may also have some bruising in these areas. It is important that you wear comfortable clothing during this time to avoid discomfort from clothing rubbing against sensitive areas.
13. Take time off work to recover.
It takes about two weeks for your body to heal after surgery, so plan ahead by taking time off work before your procedure. You’ll need your employer’s approval before you can have breast augmentation surgery, so start preparing this in advance as well.
Conclusion
It is best to be fully informed of the procedure prior to having it done. Many women feel self-conscious about the size, shape, or position of their breasts. This can be especially true for women who have children or women who are pregnant. Breast implants are offered in various sizes and shapes and could potentially be a solution for you if you fall into one of these categories listed above.
Research the type of implant that will give you the desired results. Your plastic surgeon will always be able to help guide you in this decision process as well. Talk with your surgeon beforehand about any questions or concerns that you may have about breast implants or other cosmetic procedures. Your surgeon can help address these anxieties for you and offer relief so that when it comes time for your surgery, you will feel more relaxed and better prepared to take on your new look!
