You’ve scheduled your breast augmentation, now it is time to prepare for your preoperative appointment. During this visit, we review everything about your upcoming surgery, including the benefits, the potential risks, and your recovery plan. The more prepared and informed you are the better your overall experience will be. So take a little time to get ready for your preoperative appointment and use the questions below as a starting point. We have also included links to other articles so that you can delve into these topics further before your appointment.
Add these questions to your list
The pre-operative appointment is your opportunity to gather essential information and to gain confidence in your decision to move ahead. Here are some key questions we recommend that you ask, to make the most of this appointment:
- What are realistic outcomes for my breasts when you take into account my body type and the different implant shapes and sizes that are available?
- Bring examples of breasts that you like, including different shapes, sizes, and contours that you want for yourself. We will discuss what is and is not achievable with your body type.
- It is important that you understand the pros and cons of different types and styles of implants. With numerous options available, you should have a basic understanding of the differences.
Read More: How to Size Your Implant
- What are your qualifications and experience with breast augmentation procedures?
- Don’t be afraid to ask about training, board certifications, and how many augmentations we perform yearly.
- The pre-operative appointment is the time to do your due diligence, that includes asking about your surgeon’s experience! We love these questions because it gives us a chance to talk about our passion and our extensive experience with this surgery.
Read More: Choosing a Surgeon
- How will my augmentation be performed?
- It is important that you understand the options for the incision locations and placement of your implants. You need to make sure you are good with the surgical plan.
- Don’t forget to discuss the options for reducing immediate post-operative discomfort with local and regional anesthesia injections. These can make a big difference in that first day of recovery.
Read More: The Scar Info
- When can I resume my normal routine after surgery?
- It is important to have a sound recovery plan. You will need to schedule help with your work duties, and family obligations during the first 1-2 weeks of recovery.
- Also ask about the timelines for your return to driving, travel, exercise, and normal daily activity. These will be based on personal factors, like your timeframe for healing, your need for prescription pain medications, and your lifestyle factors.
Read More: The First Two Months
- What medications will I need after surgery and what is each for?
- Know your prescribed or recommended over-the-counter medications and what each does. You will likely get prescribed upto 1 week supply of pain medications and muscle relaxants but most patients do not need prescription pain medicaions for long. The duration of antibiotic prescriptions will vary from person to person.
- Make sure you know how/when these medications are filled and refilled if needed. Do you have your pharmacy picked out and do you plan on picking up these medications before surgery? The answer should be yes and yes!
Read More: Recovery Tips
- What do I need at home to prepare for my recovery?
- Ensure that you have groceries, pillows, chargers, and comfort items ready. One great option is to create a recovery station near your bed or chill area that you can use during the first week of recovery.
- Moving all essential items to waist level will go a long way to help you prepare for recovery. You want to limit reaching up or down during the immediate recovery. Don’t make it hard on yourself!
Read More: Preparing For Recovery
- Will I need help caring for my children or other dependents after surgery?
- Finalize your support system needs for the first few days after surgery, not just for you but for those you are also responsible for.
- It is always helpful to line up meals, rides, and childcare to make your recovery less stressful.
Read More: Everything to Expect
- What are the potential risks and complications associated with this surgery? Ensure you fully understand the possible side effects.
- Informed consent discussions are very important and this is the time for you to fully review and understand the risks and benefits of this surgery.
- It is also important that you discuss the side effects of this surgery and the consequences of undergoing a medical implant procedure that isn’t permanent.
Read More: Should I do it?
- Are revision surgeries ever necessary, and what would warrant revisions?
- While complications are rare, it’s good to understand what complications can occur after this surgery.
- Since breast augmentation is not a permanent surgery, additional surgery is most likely inevitable at some point in your life. Therefore, you should understand when revisions are needed and what that would entail surgically and financially.
Read More: Bigger is Better?
This list is just the start. You may also want to talk about infection risks, potential for scarring, nipple sensation changes, or specifics about your custom surgical plan. The question options are endless, but the objective of this appointment is to bring more clarity to your surgical plan, your expected outcome, and your recovery. Being fully informed before surgery is extremely important. It is the best way to be confident about what is to come.