How do I prepare for breast revision surgery?
Your surgeon will provide thorough preoperative instructions, answer any questions you may have before your surgery, take a detailed medical history, and perform a physical exam to determine your fitness for surgery.
In advance of your procedure, your surgeon may ask you to:
- Stop smoking before undergoing surgery to promote better healing.
- Avoid taking aspirin, certain anti-inflammatory drugs, and some herbal medications that can cause increased bleeding.
- Hydrate before and after surgery for safe recovery.
- Keep alcohol consumption at less than two to three drinks per week.
- Prepare your home for your recovery. Stock your refrigerator with high-protein, low-sodium foods, including pre-made meals, fresh fruits and vegetables, and lots of caffeine-free beverages and water. Store all the supplies you'll need during recovery where they're easily accessible (at counter level, not in overhead or low cabinets). Establish a no-fail support system for the full recovery period indicated by your surgeon. If you have children less than five years of age, you must have someone to take care of them for a week. You must not lift, drive, or do laundry and cleaning for the first two weeks.
To help detect and track any changes in your breast tissue, if you are over 40 years of age, your aesthetic plastic surgeon may recommend:
- A baseline mammogram before surgery
- Another mammogram a few months after surgery
Breast revision surgery is usually an outpatient procedure. You’ll need to arrange for someone to drive you home after surgery and stay with you at least the first night following surgery.
What can I expect the day of my breast revision surgery?
Be sure to consult with your surgeon before your surgery so you have the most accurate expectations.
- You may have your breast revision surgery in an accredited hospital, free-standing ambulatory facility, or office-based surgical suite.
- Breast revision surgeries typically take at least two to three hours to complete, but it may take longer, especially if you are also getting a breast lift.
- The surgeon will administer medications for your comfort during the procedure.
- General anesthesia is common for breast revision procedures. In some instances, the surgeon will use local anesthesia or intravenous sedation too.
- For your safety during the surgery, various monitors will be used to check your heart, blood pressure, pulse, and the amount of oxygen circulating in your blood.
- Your surgeon will follow the surgical plan discussed with you before surgery. Once the operation has begun, the surgeon may decide to combine various techniques or change a technique to ensure the best result. It is important that you feel comfortable and trust your doctor to make these decisions.
- After your surgery, you will go to a recovery area for continued monitoring.
- Your surgeon will wrap a bulky gauze dressing (bandage) around your breasts and chest and may have you wear a surgical bra. You may have drainage tubes attached to your breasts.
- Before leaving, you (or someone looking after you) should feel capable of emptying and resetting the drains.
You likely can go home after a short observation period unless you and your aesthetic plastic surgeon have made other plans for your immediate postoperative recovery.