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BEFORE YOUR SURGERY
In the week before, you should not take any medications containing aspirin (acetyl salicylic acid), since these products affect the bloods clotting mechanism and therefore may lead to excessive bleeding during and after surgery, hence resulting increased bruising. Taking high doses of vitamin E preparations, eating large amounts of garlic and consuming alcohol can also produce the same result and should be avoided. If pain medication is necessary, we recommend you take ibuprofen/paracetamol.
It is in your own best interests to quit smoking, at least two weeks before and until 2 weeks after surgery. It is well known that smoking causes narrowing of the blood vessels, which leads to a decreased blood supply to the skin, thus slowing and interfering with the healing process.
Be sure to inform your surgeon of any medications you take, as well as possible allergies including (drug, latex, plasters and so on).
Your surgeon will decide whether preliminary examinations are necessary, such as blood tests, an electrocardiogram, or x-rays of the lungs. If this is the case, these tests should be performed several weeks before the surgery.
It is best not to wear any makeup when you come in for your operation, and to tie your hair back if possible.
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AFTER THE PROCEDURE
You're likely to feel tired and sore for a few days following your surgery, particularly when the arms are moved, but you'll be up and around in 24 to 48 hours. Most of your discomfort can be controlled by medication, which you will be given.
On the day of discharge, you will be given an information sheet and be asked to attend to have your dressing removed one week after the operation. At that appointment the dressings will be removed by a nurse and the wound checked. You will only see a doctor if there is a problem. You will then be permitted to shower but it is inadvisable to soak in the bath with the wounds submerged for at least three weeks. The stitches are removed at two weeks. A further appointment will also be made to see the doctor between six and twelve weeks following the surgery.
After the dressings have been removed, you will be asked to wear a sports bra day and night for the first six weeks. It is advisable to continue to wear a bra during the day long-term in order to maintain your breast shape.
After two weeks you may go back to non-physical employment and resume driving a car, but check this with your insurance company as some do vary. Three weeks after your operation you may resume gentle exercise, but violent movements, upward stretching of the arms and physical employment are inadvisable for six weeks. You can sleep on your back or side but not on your stomach for at least four weeks. You should be back to complete normality by six weeks following the operation.
All surgery carries some risks and uncertainties
As with any operation, there are risks associated with surgery and specific complications associated with this procedure.
As with any surgical procedure, excessive bleeding following the operation may cause some swelling and pain. If excessive bleeding continues, another operation may be needed to control the bleeding and remove the accumulated blood.
Getting back to normal
You should be able to return to work within a few days, depending on the level of activity required for your job. Follow your surgeon's advice on when to begin exercises and normal activities. Your breasts will probably be sensitive to direct stimulation for two to three weeks, so you should avoid much physical contact. After that, breast contact is fine once your breasts are no longer sore, usually three to four weeks after surgery.
Your scars will be firm and pink for at least six weeks. Then they may remain the same size for several months, or even appear to widen. After several months, your scars will begin to fade, although they will never disappear completely.
If you have any further questions or queries about this procedure, please feel free to call and speak to either Dr Roberto Viel, Dr Maurizio Viel or any of our nurses. Please note that it is necessary to attend a consultation prior to your operation, this is also the case with existing patients, it may also be necessary to have repeat blood test.
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