Lubbock Breast Augmentation: What You Need to Know

Getting ready for breast augmentation takes more than just clearing your schedule for a few days and shopping for new bras and swimsuits. Before undergoing any surgical procedure, you should prepare your body and your mind as much as you can. Proper preparation will help you feel less stressed and have realistic expectations for what your body can handle after surgery. It’s important to remember that plastic surgery is real surgery and to take the proper steps to get yourself ready for your procedure. For breast augmentation, Lubbock patients should consider doing several specific things before their big day. 

Have a Healthy Lifestyle

The more physically healthy you are, the easier it will be for your body to bounce back in recovery after surgery. Your plastic surgeon should perform a physical exam before surgery to make sure your body is functioning as it should, so give your body a leg up by practicing healthy eating habits and getting daily exercise. 

Stop Smoking

If you smoke, your plastic surgeon will probably ask you to quit smoking 4-6 weeks before and after Lubbock breast augmentation to reduce your risk of complications and to promote better healing. Any use of nicotine should be put on hold, and you should be careful about exposure to secondhand smoke. Smoking restricts blood circulation, which inhibits wound healing, makes scars appear worse, and can put you at greater risk for dangerous complications.  

Get a Mammogram

Though not all doctors require a mammogram before surgery, it is a good idea to get one to check that there are no signs of cancer or irregularities in the breast tissue. A mammogram can show changes in the breast up to two years before a patient or physician can detect them. Some plastic surgeons will also ask you to get a mammogram a few months after breast augmentation in Lubbock as well to make sure everything is normal.

Arrange for Help After Your Breast Augmentation

A breast augmentation surgery takes about an hour, but since anesthesia is involved, you will need someone to drive you home afterwards. For the first night especially, have a friend or relative stay with you to help ease your recovery process. Having someone you trust around to help you will allow you to feel more relaxed, which is essential for a proper healing environment. Even women who prefer to be independent are surprised to find how much they appreciate having someone help them during their first few days of recovery from breast augmentation in Lubbock. 

Finish Your To-Do List

After your Lubbock breast augmentation, you will need to give your body time to heal; the time to run errands and get things done is beforehand. If you are a list maker, your to-do list will look a little different than normal when you are getting ready for surgery. Here are some things you might want to add:

• Fill prescriptions
• Prepare easy, simple meals for recovery
• Get books, movies, and tv shows ready to pass the downtime
• Figure out who will help care for pets and children
• Other errands and household chores 
• Bathe/wash your hair the night before surgery

While some of these steps may seem obvious, you will thank yourself for getting everything in order before the day of your surgery. It is impossible to be over-prepared for surgery. Every little thing you take care of before the big day is one less thing you’ll have to worry about as you recover.

Recovering from Breast Augmentation in Lubbock

There’s no way around it – breast augmentation surgery requires recovery. But you can increase the speed and quality of your recovery if you take proper care of yourself. Each patient’s recovery period is unique because we all have varying levels of pain tolerance and bodies that respond differently to surgery. To help ease the healing process, Dr. Jane Rowley recommends her Lubbock breast augmentation patients add the following steps to their personalized recovery plan.

Take it Easy

For the first few days, give yourself permission to rest and relax. Your body needs time to heal after undergoing breast augmentation. If you made arrangements beforehand to do things like take days off work, pay bills, and prepare meals, you should have plenty of room in your schedule for some good old-fashioned R and R. Talk to your surgeon about the amount of downtime that you may need. After breast augmentation, Lubbock patients will need to take 2 to 3 days off work and can return to full normal activity within 4 to 6 weeks. If you plan to differ from this, talk about your reasons and concerns with your doctor before the surgery.

Follow Your Doctor’s Orders

Don’t skip wearing your surgical bra or forget to take your medications. Plan on attending all of your post-operative appointments and check-ups. Remember that however inconvenient your doctor’s instructions may feel, it’s only temporary. It is in your best interest to take any medications such as painkillers or antibiotics if prescribed. Even if you want to tough it out, pain can raise your blood pressure or enhance bleeding. 

Be Nice to Your New Implants

When you take off your surgical bra and see your new breasts for the first time, they are not going to look like all the breast augmentation “after” photos you showed your doctor. Swelling and bruising will take time to diminish. Your implants may seem higher than you expected, making them look unnatural. Over time, they will drop and get softer and give you the more natural look you hoped to achieve. During the healing process, you can take care of your implants by remembering these tips:

• Do not sleep on your stomach 
• Do not wear bras with an underwire
• Avoid activities that cause your breasts to bounce or involve heavy lifting
• Do not lift your breasts to take a peek at your scars
• Do call your doctor with any questions or concerns 

Keep Calm and Heal On

While plastic surgery recovery may seem like not much fun, it’s important during this time to find ways to keep your spirits up. Even smiling just on the inside counts. Research shows your frame of mind affects your rate of healing. Lubbock breast augmentation patients can expedite the recovery process by staying calm and positive. It’s easier said than done, but try to stay focused on how great your results will be and remember that you just took a positive step toward increased confidence and satisfaction with your appearance.

Choose the Surgeon You Trust for Breast Augmentation in Lubbock

Successful breast augmentation surgery should be a collaborative process between you and your plastic surgeon. Keeping the big picture in mind while preparing for breast augmentation and the following recovery period will help you to realistically look forward to your results. Selecting a surgeon you trust will also help set you up for success. Women interested in Lubbock breast augmentation choose Dr. Jane Rowley to help them achieve their look because she is experienced, highly skilled, and trustworthy. Dr. Rowley offers a no-obligation consultation where she will discuss every step of the procedure with you. She will explain your options for breast implants and offer realistic expectations for your results. Contact Rowley Plastic Surgery today to find out more.