Find your breast augmentation checklist right here – everything you need to know about preparing for breast augmentation. For any woman undergoing a breast augmentation, the procedure is an important event in their life, and one that they spend significant time and effort considering and planning for. It can sometimes be overwhelming for patients in the pre-operative period, as there are many things to consider, from choosing implants to deciding how much time to take off work. This blog posts aims to provide a comprehensive guide to planning and preparing for breast augmentation surgery. 

Breast augmentation is an invasive procedure performed under a general anaesthetic, and as such, there is significant downtime for recovery. This involves staying in and resting for the first few days to a week after surgery. You should limit physical exertion and upper body movement. In addition, you must not drive for a week post-operatively. Avoiding strenuous activity for 6 weeks following surgery is essential. Finally, ensure you stay on top of your post-operative appointments to ensure optimal healing and recovery. Each patient will have a unique journey depending on their lifestyle, occupation, social support system, and past experience with surgical recovery. Regardless of your context, there are a number of things all patients can do to prepare for their surgery. 

When is the right time? | Breast Augmentation Checklist

After initial consultation with your plastic surgeon, you will be equipped with the information you need to go ahead with your breast augmentation surgery. The first thing patients should consider is: when is the best time for surgery? When planning the operation date, you should consider your occupation and how long you will need to take off work. For those in office jobs, one week is sufficient. Those with more active occupations should try for at least two weeks off work. Even after two weeks, no strenuous upper-body activity (heavy lifting) is allowed for at least six weeks following surgery. Do you have young children that need to be picked up and cared for? You should try and organise additional help. This will help avoid over-exerting yourself in the first week or two following surgery. Another aspect to consider is whether you have any big events planned for the year.

Generally it takes about 6 weeks for your breasts to settle to a normal and optimal shape and position. As such, it’s best to ensure any big events are outside of this time frame. Patients will need to avoid excessive alcohol consumption in the week preceding surgery. You should stop smoking completely 6 weeks prior to surgery. If you are an interstate patient, you must be available to attend your pre-surgery appointment. You will also stay local until your week post-op appointment. Once you have found an appropriate time frame for your operation, you can book your preferred date.

Sizing

One of the most important considerations in the pre-operative period is choosing the right implant for you. There are a number of measures patients can take to help them through the decision-making process. At Brisbane Plastic & Cosmetic Surgery, Dr. Phil Richardson guides patients through a comprehensive sizing journey to ensure they feel entirely confident in their decision and have peace-of-mind post-operatively.

At your initial consultation, he will take your measurements and provide you with preliminary size recommendations. These recommendations will be informed by your anatomy and goals you discuss at your appointment. Following this discussion, he will provide you with a few “sizers” to try on under a bra. These sizers help you gauge the feel of each implant CC in proportion to the rest of your body. The next step in your sizing journey is to visualise your results with the Vectra 3D imaging system. This system creates a simulated image of your breasts with various implant shapes, profiles, and sizes. The Vectra can help compare the various options available to you.

You will then have your second consultation with the practice nurse to try on the sizers a second time. This is your opportunity to further discuss your goals and confirm which implant size you prefer. Dr. Richardson will then sign off on this decision to ensure that he feels it is safe, realistic, and will achieve the best results possible according to your goals. The combination of all these processes aims to provide patients with the best approach to decision-making. 

The weeks prior to surgery: Breast Augmentation Checklist

Once you have confirmed the type of implant, you can start seriously planning for your surgery and recovery. You should firstly consider any medications you are taking. Do you need to stop taking any prior to surgery? How far in advance you need to stop taking these medications? This is something you would have discussed in your consultation with Dr. Richardson. You should organise for at least a week to two weeks leave from work. This will depend on the level of physical activity required in your role. As discussed, if you have young children you should organise additional care so you have time to properly rest and recover. Most importantly, this will help avoid picking children up in the first week or so after surgery.

The week prior to surgery: Breast Augmentation Checklist

In the week preceding surgery you should start preparing your living space and stocking up on recovery essentials. Patients should position all commonly used items at waist height to avoid stretching your arms above your head in the first week post-operatively. Cleaning the house and doing the laundry in the days prior to surgery is important as you will be needing to rest in the days following surgery and cannot be straining yourself with chores around the house.

Arguably the most important thing to prepare is a comfortable sleeping space. After surgery, for the first week you will need to sleep elevated at a 45 degree angle. This can be strange and uncomfortable for many patients so its important to find a set-up that works for you. According to many of Dr. Richardson’s patients, having a number of pillows for support behind the back and neck, and an additional body pillow propped up against a wall to your right or left hand side to rest your head on is the most comfortable sleeping arrangement following breast augmentation.

Patients should buy soft ice packs to apply to the breasts for the first two days to mitigate swelling. Wet wipes can be used to maintain hygiene (patients are unable to shower properly until their dressings are changed at the post-operative appointment). Prune or pear juice is great to avoid constipation from the pain killers. 

The day before surgery: Breast Augmentation Checklist

Following breast augmentation surgery, patients need someone to take them to the hospital, bring them home, and care for them for the first 24 hours. You should make sure you organise someone to do this in advance. You should also have a back-up carer on call in case you need them. The day before your surgery, the practice nurse will give you a call to confirm your admission times. They will run through fasting protocol, and answer any questions you might have. The nurse will advise you to shower using the anti-bacterial sponges provided. You will use these sponges the night before, and morning of surgery. This is to ensure optimal sterility during the operation. 

The morning of surgery

On the day of your surgery, you should shower with the sponges. We advise to wash your hair as you will not have the chance to do so for at least a week following surgery. You should avoid using any moisturisers or make-up products, as your skin should be as clean and sterile as possible when going into surgery. It’s always a good idea to aim for an early arrival to the hospital in the case of any unforeseen circumstances. Once you arrive at the hospital, the nursing staff will guide you through the entire pre-operative process and prepare you for the operation. Your carer will be called once you are in recovery to come and collect you and take you home. 

While there are many things to consider when planning your breast augmentation, this is an exciting time for any woman and one that is an important part of your life. To ensure you have an optimal, effective recovery, you should spend time planning your living arrangements and lifestyle to give yourself the best possible experience. This blog post aims to provide prospective patients with a rough guide to preparing for surgery and help alleviate some of the stress and uncertainty associated with the pre-operative period. 

If you have any questions about your breast augmentation checklist, preparing for surgery, or recovery, do not hesitate to contact us today at Brisbane Plastic & Cosmetic Surgery.