Importance of Proper Preparation
Proper preparation for breast implant revision surgery is crucial for ensuring the best possible outcome and minimizing the risk of complications. Careful planning can impact not only the surgical results but also your comfort, recovery process, and overall satisfaction with the procedure. Especially critical is following any safety directions provided by your surgical team.
Preparing for the Initial Consultation
Your initial surgical consultation is an important time for you and your surgeon or surgical coordinator to get to know each other. To make the conversation as fruitful as possible, there are some items you may want to prepare in advance and have ready. These include:
- Your medical history, including any information you can provide about your initial breast implant surgery
- A complete list of the medications you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medications
- Information about your latest A1C if you are diabetic (Mia Aesthetics requires an A1C of 6.9 or 6.5 depending on your surgeon)
- A list of your allergies
- Your BMI (Mia Aesthetics requires a BMI of 34 or less for breast surgeries)
- Your goals and expectations for your procedure
- A list of questions you have about the surgery
- Photos of your breasts and any existing problems you wish to address
Preparing for Breast Implant Revision Surgery
As your surgery date draws near, there are a few steps you will likely need to take to prepare. These include but are not limited to the following:
- Discontinue any medication as directed by your surgeon. While you can keep taking some of your medications, certain medications, such as blood thinners or supplements that increase bleeding risk, may need to be temporarily discontinued.
- Quit smoking. Cigarette smoke kills red blood cells, and your body will need these to heal properly. We cannot perform surgery on a smoker.
- Stop drinking alcohol. Any alcohol must be completely out of your system prior to surgery.
- Follow any diet, nutrition, or fasting directions provided by your plastic surgeon. Good nutrition aids in recovery but fasting before anesthesia is critical.
- Get all of your bloodwork and labs done and make sure your surgeon gets the results.
- Arrange transportation for the day of your surgery and household help for at least a few days after. An extra pair of hands and emotional support will both be invaluable after surgery.
- Make sure you have requested the necessary time off work for recovery and that your request has been approved.
- If you are traveling for surgery, secure travel arrangements and lodging near your surgeon’s office.
Day of Surgery
The day of your surgery you will have very little preparation work to do. You will, however, need to do the following:
- Avoid lotions, makeups, and perfumes, as well as anything else that can contaminate the sterile field
- Wear loose, comfortable clothing that is easy to take off and put back on after surgery
- Remember your fasting directions and make sure you don’t eat when you shouldn’t
A more exhaustive list of general best practices for what you can and cannot wear on the day of your surgery can be found here.