So, the day of your breast reduction surgery is just around the corner. Your plastic surgeon will provide detailed instructions on how to prepare for the procedure. You must follow the instructions religiously, no matter how off-putting or trivial they may seem.
If you are a smoker, you will be required to stop smoking at least three weeks before the surgery day. It is important to understand that smoking can negatively affect the healing process after surgery and create complications during the procedure. Your surgeon will probably ask you whether you have stopped smoking, and if you haven’t, the surgery will not be performed.
Moreover, if you are currently taking any prescription drugs, you must bring it to the attention of your plastic surgeon. He or she will advise you whether to take the drugs on your surgery day. Bear in mind that surgeons strictly discourage the use of anti-inflammatory drugs and aspirin during the surgery period.
In order to prepare yourself for the breast reduction procedure, you should make sure that all required lab tests and scans have been performed, including X-rays, and the reports have been sent to your plastic surgeon. You will also be required to get a baseline mammogram. Discuss your complete medical history with your surgeon in detail, including any blood pressure problems or diabetes and any past surgeries.
It is also important to ask your surgeon what you should expect from the surgery and how your breasts will appear after the procedure. Your surgeon will describe how the procedure will go, what you should expect, the type of sedation used, and the risks and potential complications involved in the surgery. Also, you should stop eating or drinking anything eight hours before the breast reduction procedure.
Below are other important things you should do before the surgery:
- If you are taking any supplements or homeopathic medicines, you should stop taking them at least one month before the surgery.
- You should not wear any jewelry into surgery.
- Stop using makeup a few days before the surgery, and make sure not to wear nail polish on the surgery day.
- Stop drinking alcohol a week before the surgery.
- Make sure to wear loose, comfortable clothes on the day of your surgery.
You should also make sure to have someone accompany you to and from the hospital on the day of surgery. Your doctor will allow you to go home if he or she is satisfied with your condition after the procedure, so you should arrange for someone to drive you home.
At home, you need to have enough food and other necessary items stockpiled before your surgery day. It will take you a few days or maybe a week to resume routine activities. The first few days are very critical, and you’ll be required to rest and relax.