As a patient considering breast augmentation, you likely have questions and concerns. Your plastic surgeon will walk you through your options and help set expectations for the results of the surgery.
Your surgeon will also make recommendations about the type of implants to use. You can choose saline or silicone gel-filled implants.
What to Expect
During your consultation, your doctor will guide you through the options for size and type of implants. They’ll describe saline and silicone implants, explain the surgical technique that’s best for you and help you choose the implant type and placement that fits your needs.
Your plastic surgeons Bellevue surgeon will also tell you about options for incision location. Most patients opt for an incision behind the pectoral muscle, known as an inframammary incision. However, making one along the lower edge of the areola or in the armpit may also be possible.
The procedure itself takes about an hour. The doctor will administer the anesthetic, and you’ll be driven home to recovery.
After surgery, you’ll visit your plastic surgeon for a follow-up appointment. At this time, he’ll evaluate your recovery progress and ensure your incisions are healing properly. He’ll give you detailed instructions about post-op care and encourage you to take it easy.
Pre-Operative Care
Pre-operative care is essential to ensure a patient’s safe surgery and recovery. It includes physical and psychological preparation.
Physically and psychologically prepared patients have better outcomes, less discomfort and a shorter recovery period. Patient’sPatients’ anxiety is reduced, their sense of control is increased, and postoperative complications are reduced when they are educated about their surgical course and empowered to make informed decisions regarding their treatment.
Medical testing must be completed to assess a patient’s health condition before breast augmentation surgery. This can include blood screenings and mammograms.
Smoking and drinking should be avoided at least two weeks before augmentation surgery. They thin the blood and interfere with healing.
Be sure to have a responsible adult drive you home after surgery. This person will help you with your daily routine for a day or two after the procedure and can call the surgeon if there are any problems.
Lastly, be sure to fill your prescription medications for use after surgery. This will include pain medication, antibiotics and other necessary medicines.
Postoperative Care
Postoperative care is vitally important for breast augmentation surgery to ensure positive results. After a patient has completed surgery, it is important to follow the instructions provided by their surgeon to maximize results and minimize the risk of infection or other complications.
After a surgical procedure, it is common for patients to experience some discomfort and swelling. This is typical and normally goes away after a few weeks.
Some itching may also occur in the first few days following surgery. Antihistamines like Benadryl can help alleviate this.
Your doctor will explain what to expect during recovery and prescribe pain medication and muscle relaxants. The pain medications will be used to control any discomfort you may feel after the surgery, and the muscle relaxant can help reduce drowsiness or disorientation that you may have.
Recovery
You will likely experience extreme pain and discomfort following surgery during the first few days. This will subside after a week, and you should begin to feel more comfortable.
Taking over-the-counter pain relievers as directed, such as acetaminophen, will help reduce the intensity of your discomfort. Antibiotics may also be prescribed to prevent infection.
Breast augmentation recovery is slow and can take up to several months. Your surgeon will let you know how long it will take to heal fully.
During the initial healing phase, avoiding strenuous physical activity is best. This includes contact sports, running, and weightlifting.
