Take Responsibility to Get Successful Breast Enlargement

The most important thing you have to do to ensure a successful breast enlargement surgery is to select a plastic surgeon that is qualified, capable, and trustworthy, but that is an entirely different subject. If you are at this stage, there are many resources that can help you out. Once you've found a doctor, though, there are many things you must do as a patient before and after surgery to help your chosen doctor give you the best possible results. These are things that your doctor cannot do for you, that no one can do for you.

Pre-Surgery Consultation

Come to your pre-surgery consultation with a sense of what you want to look like after your surgery. You are getting breast augmentation surgery, so you want to have larger breasts, but that can mean many different things.

You will be looking for particular results that relate to your reasons for getting breast enlargement surgery. If you were happy with your breasts in the past, but have grown self-conscious of them as a result of pregnancy, age, or other factors, you can let your doctor know what you're looking for by bringing in a picture that shows your breasts how you fondly remember them. This will give you a starting point for discussion. Sometimes, an item of clothing that used to fit you well is even better, since it serves almost as a three-dimensional model of your former body.

If you've never been happy with your breasts, you can do several things to launch your discussion. You might have a particular top that you feel has never fit you right because your breasts are small, or a bra that you think represents the ideal size for you, possibly one you can wear sometimes with padding, these can also serve as a starting place. Cosmetic surgeons also have sizers that can give an idea what your new breasts might look like. If you have one, you can also bring a picture of a woman whose breasts, represent the results you'd like to achieve, but you have to be careful in selecting one. Make sure you pick a woman with a similar body type and whose overall figure represents a reasonable goal for you as a result of your breast enlargement surgery, exercise, diet, and possibly body contouring procedures.

You should make sure you are as informed as possible about breast enlargement before your consultation. You should research your options in terms of incision sites, implant placement, and have considered the difference between silicone and saline implants. Read any FAQs on breast enlargement available. Your doctor will provide you with much more detailed information, but if a primer in the subject will keep you from getting lost. Make sure you know the risks of breast augmentation surgery and have decided you are willing to take them.

Be completely honest with your surgeon about what you hope to achieve and your medical history. Divulge any prior conditions, illnesses, or surgeries, and list all medications, herbs, and vitamins you take. These may not seem important, but many supplements have side effects relevant to your surgery and medications you might be prescribed afterwards.

Lead-up to the Surgery

Between your consultation and your breast enlargement surgery, you can take several steps to minimize scarring, reduce your recovery time, and decrease your likelihood of complications:

• Stop taking medications that are blood thinners, like aspirin and ibuprofen, which could cause excessive bleeding during the procedure.


• For at least two weeks before and one week after your surgery you should stop smoking. Nicotine impairs your circulation and your body's ability to heal. Consider quitting altogether since smoking is one of the main factors leading to ptotic (sagging) breasts.


• Avoid excessive alcohol consumption for at least two weeks before your breast enlargement surgery.


• Make sure you're well hydrated before surgery.

Although it's impossible to eliminate risk during surgery, doing these things will minimize your chances of complications.

After-Surgery Preparations

Before surgery, make sure you set up everything you will need immediately following surgery, since you will want to rest and focus on healing after the procedure.

• Arrange a ride home after the surgery.


• If possible, get someone to take care of you for at least the first day after your breast enlargement surgery.


• Ready your prescriptions and keep them near your bed.


• Assemble as many pillows as you can on your bed. Consider purchasing a bed wedge, since you will need to keep your torso elevated for several days after the surgery.


• Loose-fitting, button-down blouses that are appropriate to your new breast size make ideal attire for post-op wear.


• Rearrange your kitchen so that commonly-used items are accessible without reaching up or bending down.


• Wash your hair thoroughly before surgery. It may be a few days after before you are able to wash it again.

Getting Back in the Pink

After surgery, you may be nauseous from the anesthetic, and you will definitely be sleepy. You will not be able to drive yourself home.

You may feel very emotional. This is a big life change you've just accomplished. In an ideal world, you'd feel ecstatic about the results right away, but many people ride an emotional roller coaster for a few days. You may cry and think, "What have I done to my body?" Immediately after surgery, the appearance of your breasts will probably be very unnatural, giving new life to all your pre-surgical anxieties and doubts. You may also go through short manic episodes, although you should not give in to temptation to dress up and go out right away.

As you heal remember these things:

• Follow all your doctor's instructions precisely


• Take your medication on time


• Keep your incisions clean and dry


• For 48 hours after surgery, keep your breasts iced. If you don't have breast-shaped ice packs you can use frozen peas


• Sleep upright for several days


• Sleep as much as you can


• Keep a watch out for signs of complications, including:
  
  
  
  • Excessive bleeding
  
  
  • Pus or cloudy discharge from incisions or nipples
  
  
  • Pain that cannot be controlled by your medication
  
  
  • High fever
  
  
  • A foul odor from your body
  
  
  • Difficulty passing waste
  
  
  • Blood in urine, feces, or throat
  
  
  • Numbness in your extremities
  
  
  • Blackening of the skin
  
  
  • Uncontrollable vomiting
  
  
  • Sudden loss of consciousness (that is not a side effect of medications)
  
  
  
  

The last four signs indicate a severe complication and should be treated in the emergency room, as should a fever over 104º F. In general, you should contact your doctor whenever a concern about your healing arises.

Complications are extremely rare, and your vigilance will make sure they are correctable without threat to your life or to your new breasts. Your breasts will look quite different at first. They will be not only bruised and swollen, but also very high up on your chest. They will feel unnaturally firm and may look unnatural, but both conditions will pass as you heal. After a week or so, you will find that the results are very close to what you were looking for. And these results can last for many years free from earlier self-consciousness.