Preparing For Your Breast Augmentation

By Jerome Edelstein, MD

This is a general guideline that may help you better understand how to prepare for your breast augmentation procedure.PERSONAL ARRANGEMENTS WHEN PREPARING FOR BREAST AUGMENTATION

Plan for a friend or family member to drive you home from the appointment. They should also be available to stay with you at your home for the first night of recovery.

It’s a good idea to make extra food and have plenty of snacks and fluids on hand. Arranging for child care and taking time off work for recovery is also advised.

Fill all necessary prescriptions and put them in a convenient location (such as a bedside table). There is a pharmacy in Humber River Hospital and also one a block away from our private surgical facility, so a family member or friend can fill any prescriptions while they wait for you on the day of your surgery as well.

You may want to ask your surgeon for advice on when you can begin exercising and driving again.

TWO WEEKS BEFORE THE APPOINTMENTMedicationYou should not take any products containing aspirin, anti-inflammatories (like Advil, Motrin or ibuprofen), vitamin E or blood thinners (such as warfarin, anacrot or coumadin medications) in the 14 days leading up to your appointment. Tylenol is safe, but any medications that thin the blood greatly increase the risk of bleeding and can complicate surgery. Birth control pills and estrogen replacement therapy should be stopped for four to six weeks before surgery as well in patients who are having breast augmentation in combination with liposuction or a tummy tuck (abdominoplasty). The use of these medications has been known to increase the risk of developing blood clots in the legs.

Herbal, natural, diet or other alternative products should also be avoided. These include ginseng, St. John’s wort, ginkgo biloba and others. Your surgeon and anesthesiologist should be made aware of all medications you currently take as well.Smoking and IllnessSmoking must also be stopped for at least four weeks before and after surgery when breast augmentation is being combined with a tummy tuck or breast lift. Patients who smoke during this period of time risk experiencing skin loss and poor wound healing. Edelstein Cosmetic should be notified if you develop an infection, cold or flu before surgery.Other Instructions and TipsAs mentioned above, you should be sure to discuss current medication use with your surgeon. Most daily-use prescription medications (like blood pressure or cardiac pills) can be taken on the morning of surgery with a small sip of water, but many other drugs and supplements can cause serious complications. It’s essential to follow your surgeon’s instructions on which medications to avoid during the weeks leading up to the procedure.

Stick to a healthy diet and avoid alcohol for a few days before surgery. Exercise is greatly beneficial to general health, but it’s important to refrain from vigorous activity the day before. On the night before, you won’t be allowed to eat or drink after midnight or in the morning (surgeries are often cancelled if a patient doesn’t follow this rule). You should remove all make-up, nail polish, skin care products (like oils, lotions, creams, moisturizers or deodorant) and carefully wash the surgical area with antimicrobial soap in the shower.

On the day of your surgery, take any required medication. You may also brush your teeth, but do not swallow more than a sip or two of water. It’s a good idea to wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothes and flat, slip-on shoes to the surgical facility. Sweat pants, buttoned or zippered shirts are ideal as they allow you to easily remove and put on your clothes. Do not wear a pull-over garment if you’re having facial surgery. If you’re undergoing any breast surgery, you should bring a wireless bra into the operating room.
Leave all valuables (including money and jewelry) at home.Expect to take at least five to seven days off from work for recovery and consider having a friend or family member at home to help around the house. During this time strenuous exercise and work should be avoided. You may not operate hazardous machinery or motor vehicles for 24 hours after surgery as well