How do I prepare for a breast augmentation?

Our patients are given preoperative instructions before they undergo breast augmentation.  Instructions include having the patients no longer take aspirin-containing products, also Advil, Motrin, Excedrin, ibuprofen.  We want to maintain good clotting during the operation and postoperative.  Patients are also taken off their oral contraceptives or estrogen products one week prior to surgery to reduce risk of deep venous thrombosis and pulmonary embolus due to venostasis.  Our patients are also told to stop drinking alcohol within 72 hours of the surgery and are made n.p.o., that means nothing per mouth, the midnight before their operation to prevent general anesthetic reflux.  Postoperatively, the patients are given pain medication as well as antibiotics for seven days to prevent or reduce risk of infections and incisions are kept dry with 4 x 4 gauze and surgical or athletic bras are used.  Our patients are instructed not to lift for 3-4 weeks post augmentation to prevent bleeding or hematomas as well.

The most important thing you can do before any procedure is to educate yourself. Read through all information provided to you by your physician, including what to expect after your surgery. Your physician will let you know which foods and medications to avoid before and after surgery. If you smoke, stop, as smoking interferes with the wound healing process.

You will need to have blood drawn a few days prior to your surgery to check your blood count and to make sure you do not have anemia or an infection. You also may need a mammogram. Your physician will generally give you some prescriptions for pain medication, as well as a muscle relaxer, and an antibiotic. Go ahead and have these filled prior to surgery.

You will need to be NPO after midnight on the night before your surgery, which means you will not be able to eat or drink anything after midnight. You will need someone to drive you home and stay with you for the first night, as you will be groggy and sore.  You may need to wear a sports bra for the first 6 weeks. I recommend bras and shirts that button or zip in the front.