How to Get The Most Out of Your Surgery

Greetings

If you have finally booked and scheduled the procedure that you have always wanted – Congratulations! But do not let your money and time go to waste by tying your hands behind your back – there is much that you can do to get the most out of your surgery. The time prior to your surgery is of great importance – here are some hints that can help you use it wisely.

Mental Preparation:

• Understand that you may get the moody-blues during your down-time post surgery, so plan gentle activities for your recovery period: a couple of examples would be: books, movies, sorting out your photo albums etc.
• Ask your Surgeon all the questions to come to mind, write down things that will put you at ease – understand the procedure, know what to expect.
• Know that you will see results after your recovery-time, not after the surgery
• Search for blogs and chat rooms – there is a community of people who have undergone surgery – you will hear about both regrets and dreams come true

Medication Wise:

• Inform your Surgeon of the medication that you are on and the doses
• Your Surgeon will inform you as to what medication can be continued and what must be stopped
• Go get all your essential prescriptions filled out prior to the surgery – it is unlikely that you will feel like standing in the queue in the pharmacy post-surgery.
• Stop taking vitamins 2 weeks prior to the surgery

Food Wise:

• Avoid spicy and salty food two prior and post to quicken the rate of your swelling to go down.
• If you are having your surgery in the morning, stop eating and drinking by 5pm the night prior – this is an essential safety precaution – do not ignore this!
• Stock up on quick to prepare, soft,  easily digestible food for your post-surgery recovery-time

Exercise Wise:

• Keep exercising – you are going to miss it during your recovery-time but you will enter the surgery with a well prepared body that is fit to heal quickly.
• If you do not exercise ,start walking 15min a day, having a healthy heart and set of lungs greatly aids the healing process.
• Post-surgery your movements will be limited, be patient, you do not want to strain yourself and cause unnecessary post-operation complications.

House Wise; a Happy Home:

• Prep ice packs
• Buy gauze to change dressings & bandages;
• Take essential often used items off high shelves or out of low draws to avoid excessive stretching and bending;
• Get all big tasks done out of the way ;
• Organize a care-givers help for after,
• Depending on the surgery consider getting a walker;
• Pack away the mirrors and scale for at least two weeks post surgery

Packing For Hospital:

• ice packs ;
• comfy pajamas ;
• book ; music player with headphones ;
• comfortable clothes to go home in ;
• NB don’t forget identification essentials such as medical aid cards ;
• NB list of medications and doses that you usually take.

You have probably planned this procedure for some time, don’t let it go to waste, do what you can to get the most out of your surgery. If you have done all you can, and want to do more – I suggest then that you contact me at my offices on (021-6710942). Facebook. Twitter. Website.

Breast Augmentation, Part 5

What can you do to prepare for your surgery?

• If you smoke, it is essential that you reduce or stop smoking before your procedure and for some time afterward. Be sure to discuss this openly with your doctor.
• Make sure your physician is aware of any medications, supplements, and herbs you are currently taking. For instance, certain medications such as aspirin or ibuprofen can cause bleeding problems during and after the procedure.
• Eat a healthy diet and avoid drinking alcohol a few days prior to your procedure.
• Exercise is generally good for your overall health; however, refrain from extremely vigorous exercise the day before your breast augmentation procedure.
• Do not eat or drink anything, including water, after midnight the night before the procedure.
• The night before your procedure, shower and wash your surgical areas with antimicrobial soap. After your shower do not wear any makeup, moisturizers, oils, creams, or lotions — including deodorant.
• Remove nail polish from at least one fingernail and toenail to help the anesthesia person monitor your blood circulation during your procedure.
• The morning of your breast augmentation procedure you may brush your teeth, but do not swallow more than a sip of water. If your physician allows you to take any prescribed medication, swallow it with a minimal amount of water.
• When you go to your physician’s office, wear loose-fitting clothes that open in the front and comfortable flat shoes that slip on.

How long does the surgery generally take?

I usually perform breast augmentation surgeries within 45-60 minutes, however, time will vary according to each patient’s unique body & requests.

Would being under general anaesthetic for this period put you off undergoing breast augmentation surgery?

Post Surgery Down-Time

Patients are generally discharged the same day as their surgery. The recovery period varies from patient to patient but generally it takes only 3-5 days to return to work and 2 weeks rest is advised before engaging in vigorous exercise. Swelling & bruising disappears within short periods of time.

Have you had breast augmentation surgery? How long was your recovery?

Recovery does include:

Pain will be experienced for the first few days after the procedure‚ as occurs with any operation. However advances in pharmaceutic agents means that the pain will be well controlled with oral medication post-op. Swelling & bruising‚ these are again inevitable consequences of an operation and soon resolve.

Breast Feeding After Breast Augmentation?

Breast augmentation surgery is not known to affect the ability to breast feed.

Flying? Will my breast implants burst?

No, there is no chance of your implants bursting due to flying or climbing to a high altitude. Implants today are tough enough to be man-handled without the possibility of bursting.

I hope that you have enjoyed & been informed by this month’s discussion of Breast Augmentation. Please leave me suggestions as to topics that you wish to be discussed in the future, and don’t be shy to ask any questions.