Elective surgery gives you the ability to prepare yourself and your home for post-surgery recovery. A little forethought and effort before the day of your breast augmentation in Denver, Colorado, can make a substantial difference while your body heals.
Though this article will outline and address many aspects of recovery that you may not have considered yet, you know your needs and habits better than anyone else. In addition to this advice, we recommend taking time to consider your personal routine and circumstances to create a safe, comfortable and relaxing space for your recuperation.
Your Breast Augmentation Consultation
During your consultation at The Center for Cosmetic Surgery, Dr. Wolfe, Dr. Vath, or Dr. Steinwald will thoroughly discuss your procedure, recovery, and any specific precautions you will need to take before your breast enhancement surgery. Be sure to ask questions so you feel comfortable and well informed about your breast enhancement. Being mentally prepared is just as important as being physically prepared, and though some anxiety about surgery is understandable, undue stress and worry can have an adverse effect on your ability to rest well before your procedure.
If you have medical conditions like diabetes or any immune deficiencies, it is important to inform your plastic surgeon of these issues during your consultation. These medical issues won’t necessarily preclude you from having the procedure, and full knowledge of your medical history will allow your surgeon to make safe treatment recommendations.
Health & Lifestyle Changes
If you smoke, you should quit at least two weeks before your breast augmentation and for at least a month after surgery. Smoking before any surgery increases the risks associated with the procedure. Wearing a patch is not recommended because nicotine is still released into the bloodstream, inhibiting the flow of oxygen-rich blood to the surgical site. Using your breast surgery as a reason to quit smoking entirely is an excellent option that will exponentially increase the benefits of your procedure.
Patients should refrain from using aspirin, vitamin E, and other anti-inflammatory medications. It is important to inform your surgeon of any and all medications you are currently taking so they can determine the correct protocol for cessation of any prescriptions.
You will want to fill any prescriptions from your surgeon before the day of your breast enhancement. Prescriptions may include pain medication, antibiotics and recovery aids. Have these medications and plenty of water readily available at your bedside or on your coffee table if you choose to rest in your living room. If you find it helpful, buy a pill case and prepare the correct dosages before you leave for surgery.
Preparing Your Home
Pay your bills, clean your house, do your laundry and move any household items you may need from cupboards or cabinets so they are within reach on tables or counters. You will want to avoid reaching up or bending down for a few days. Make sure your bed or couch has plenty of pillows and blankets within reach. Assess for yourself anything that you may want near you during the first 72 hours after surgery (books, magazines, CDs, DVDs, wet naps, lotion, etc.).
Prepare to eat soft, easily digestible foods for the first few days after your breast augmentation. Have crackers and juice by your bedside. Jell-O, yogurt, and low-sodium soups are good to have on hand. Make sure you get plenty of protein, as protein aids the healing process, and try to avoid too much sodium, as sodium can increase swelling. If you won’t have a lot of help during your recovery, you may want to cook enough meals for a week or two and freeze them so you can just heat them for easy meal preparation.
Breast Augmentation: The Day Of Surgery
The night before your surgery, do not eat or drink anything after midnight. When you brush your teeth, be sure not to drink any water. If you do ingest anything, be sure to tell the doctors or anesthesiologist before your breast augmentation procedure.
On the day of your surgery, you will need to shower with anti-bacterial soap and wash your hair. It may be a few days before you will be able to wash your hair again. It’s important that you refrain from using creams, lotions, or deodorant the day of your procedure. Do not wear any jewelry, make-up, or perfume.
It’s best to wear sweat pants or loose-fitting pants and a larger button-up shirt to your surgery. You may want to have a few button-up shirts on hand to wear at home for the first couple of weeks after your surgery. Slippers, booties, or thick socks are good to wear to keep your feet warm immediately after surgery as the anesthesia may make you feel easily chilled.
We often remind our Denver patients that they will need to have someone drive them home after surgery. Breast augmentation patients should also have someone to take care of them for the first 24 to 48 hours. You may want to make a list of things you will need your helper to do while you rest, especially if you have pets that need taking care of. If you have children, you may want to arrange for them to stay with a relative for a few days instead of having them cared for at the same place where you are recuperating.
Ask your surgeon for the manufacturer’s information about your breast implants and keep this near the phone with any emergency information and phone numbers. If you or your caretaker need to call the hospital for an emergency, having this information on hand can be helpful.
We’re Here to Help
The staff at The Center for Cosmetic Surgery is available to answer any of your questions before and after your surgery so please don’t hesitate to call on us. Please read our recovery after breast enlargement page for more information about how to ensure a comfortable and healthy recovery period.
Making the extra effort to fully prepare for your breast augmentation surgery will take some time and energy, but doing so will pay off by increasing the chances of a quick and trouble-free recovery.
The Center for Cosmetic Surgery has two offices conveniently located in the Denver metropolitan area. One is located just outside of Denver in lovely Golden, Colorado immediately off 6th Ave West and the other is located downtown in Cherry Creek, Denver. Please schedule a personal consultation to learn what a breast enlargement can do for you. Simply call (303) 278-2600 or request your consultation online.
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