How Should I Prepare for My Breast Augmentation Procedure?
Please read the following requirements and recommendations before your surgery and contact your surgeon’s office with any concerns or questions.
- Before your procedure, do not take any medications that thin the blood. Our office will provide a list of medications that could interfere with your procedure or recovery. Pay close attention to when you must stop taking each medication in the weeks and days before your procedure.
- If you are a smoker, you must not smoke for four weeks before surgery and eight weeks after.
- On the day of your procedure, wear loose-fitting, comfortable clothing.
- Arrange for a friend or family member to escort you home from surgery and remain with you for 24 hours following your procedure.
What Happens During a Breast Augmentation?
Once in the operating room, your surgeon will review the surgery and discuss with you where the incisions will be made based on your preoperative consultations. The two most common incisions for breast augmentation are either around the areola or along the crease of the breast where an underwire lies. You will then receive anesthesia to keep you asleep during your surgery.
After your surgeon makes the primary incision, they will create a pocket for your breast implant. Generally, breast implants are placed partially under the chest muscles, but in certain circumstances, they are placed over the muscles.
After placement of the implants, the surgeon may adjust the operative bed to a sitting position to confirm that the implants are correctly placed and that the breasts appear symmetrical. Your incisions will then be closed with dissolving sutures underneath the skin, which do not require removal. A surgical bra will be put on you after your surgery to minimize movement and facilitate healing.
As with any surgery, there are potential risks involved with liposuction. Most complications are avoidable if you follow all pre- and postoperative instructions. Please discuss your concerns with our surgical team before your procedure. To help you make an informed decision, here are the risks associated with liposuction:
- Liposuction procedures may result in bleeding and infection.
- An accumulation of blood or other fluid after surgery can be normal and may require drainage. A draining procedure is typically performed in the office and does not require another surgery.
- It is possible to have irregularities, waviness and lumps in the area where liposuction was performed. Some may improve with time, but in rare cases, some contour irregularity may be permanent. Additional surgery may be needed to correct this.
- It is not common, but burns to the skin and other skin discolorations are possible. These changes can cause permanent scarring or color change.
- Removal of excess fat may cause an increase in the looseness of your skin and create a sagging appearance. Your doctor will discuss with you if you are particularly at risk of having this occur.
- Due to the type of instrument used to perform liposuction, damage to deeper structures may occur. These include muscles, blood vessels, nerves, the lungs and abdominal organs.
- Liposuction carries the rare risk of forming blood clots in the legs or pieces of fat entering a blood vessel, which can potentially travel to the lungs.
In addition to a prescription for antibiotics to prevent infection, you will be given pain medication and advised to take it as needed. You must have a home caregiver to help monitor your recovery, administer medications and assist with household tasks.
Please follow the recommendations below to ensure timely and optimal healing results:
- It is important to walk frequently to promote circulation and prevent the formation of blood clots.
- You can return to normal activities about one week after surgery and slowly increase your daily activity.
- You should always wear your compression garment, except when you are showering. This garment will be worn for two to four weeks.
- You will be allowed to shower on the third day after surgery.
If any of the following symptoms arise in the hours or days following your procedure, please contact your surgeon immediately:
- You experience pain or swelling in one of your legs.
- You have a temperature above 101 degrees Fahrenheit.
- You have persistent vomiting.
- Your skin becomes red and feels warm to the touch in the area where you had liposuction.
Seek care immediately or call 911 if:
- You have dizziness that lasts several minutes and does not improve with sitting and relaxing, or you lose consciousness.
- You have trouble breathing.