Even when uncertainty looms before your procedure, adopt a positive mindset and attitude about your experience, recovery and healing. A positive outlook goes a long way toward helping healing and relaxation. Turn your anxiety into excitement over the rejuvenated self you’ll be after recovery.

Here are a few more tips about preparing for surgery:

1. Ask your surgeon questions. From consultation to recovery, you’ll have questions and concerns about the procedure. Prepare a list of questions before your appointments, or if it’s urgent, call the office regarding your concerns.

2. Prepare your home for recovery. Depending on your procedure, you can expect some pain, swelling or discomfort while healing. Your body is working overtime to recover from the procedure—and your mind will be doing the same. Get off work for the appropriate amount of time. Make sure you have a safe place to recover with someone to help you. Surround yourself with uplifting people, messages and thoughts.

3. Don’t judge your body’s appearance immediately after the surgery. Remind yourself that the outcome and final results are worth the swelling.

4. Build a support network. Before the procedure, establish a network of friends and family who will help through your recovery and encourage a positive attitude.

5. Before surgery, create a list of positive messages and reminders to lift your spirits. You may feel tired, irritable, bruised and swollen, and your incisions or body may be tender or tingle. Remind yourself that whatever negative emotions or thoughts you feel during recovery are temporary. Practice breathing and relaxation techniques to calm and soothe yourself.

After healing, you’ll be able to see the full transformation of your surgery. Mentally preparing for the post-operative recovery period helps you be patient with yourself, your body and those around you.

The post Mentally Preparing for Your Surgery: Tips for a Great Experience appeared first on Ary Krau MD.

Support Bra

A support bra is a must for the first few weeks after a breast lift procedure. Patients return home from surgery with a soft, supportive bra. The fit of the bra helps the breasts stay in place and reduces swelling. Most patients benefit from wearing the support bra at all times, even to bed. During the first few weeks of recovery, it’s not recommended that patients wear bras with underwire. Along with the surgical bra, sports bras are ideal for the recovery period.

First Few Days

You will most likely experience the greatest amount of discomfort in the first few days after your breast lift surgery. It’s a good idea to have someone around the house to help you out, such as a family member, friend or spouse. Your surgeon can prescribe pain medications to help you manage any pain or discomfort from the surgery. Discuss any pain medications you plan on taking with your surgeon first. Some over-the-counter medicines increase the risk of bleeding and should be avoided.

Driving

Typically, you can begin light activities about a week after your surgery. If you are taking pain medications, you should wait to drive a vehicle until you’ve stopped the medicines. You shouldn’t get back on the road again until you feel alert and able to respond quickly.

Going Back to Work

When you can go back to work depends on what type of job you have. If you have an office job or one that doesn’t require much physical exertion, you might be able to head back within a week of your surgery. Wait until you get the OK from your surgeon to head back to your job if it involves physical activity.

Resuming More Strenuous Activities

You should wait a few weeks before resuming more strenuous activities, such as exercise or sex. Even after you’re able to begin strenuous activities again, you’ll need to be extra careful and to protect the breast area.

Discuss any concerns you have about recovery or when to go back to your day-to-day activities with Dr Krau before your breast lift surgery.

Want to learn more? Check out these related blog entries:

• Can You Get a Breast Lift Without Scars?
• How Long Should a Breast Lift Last?
• What’s the Difference Between a Breast Augmentation, Breast Lift, and Breast Revision?

The post How Long Does It Take to Recover From Breast Lift Surgery? appeared first on Ary Krau MD.

Although thinned or weakened tissues typically are most common among older women and those who’ve had significant weight gain and loss, even younger patients can be at risk – especially those who have already had implants that may have stretched or otherwise overtaxed the supportive tissue, women who’ve had complications following implant surgery and those who’ve had a traumatic injury involving the chest area.

In the past, these patients likely would not be considered good candidates for augmentation or revision surgery. But now, thanks to a natural, biologic material called acellularized dermal matrix (ADM), patients with thin or weak tissue can experience the same results from surgery as those who have thicker, stronger underlying tissue.

What is ADM?

ADM begins with healthy cells that are “decellularized,”which means the essential materials that comprise and define the cell are removed. What’s left is the matrix – a framework or scaffolding that the body can use as a supportive skeleton to help new cells form. The matrix is like a sturdy mesh that helps provide a strong network for these new tissues. Formed into a sterile sheet, ADM has been used for years in reconstructive surgery including reconstructive breast surgery, but in recent years, its utility in the cosmetic surgery arena has steadily increased.

Implant and Revision Surgeries

ADM reinforces a woman’s own soft tissues, encouraging the development of new, healthy cells and nutrient-supplying blood vessels. By helping natural tissue become stronger, ADM provides the structure needed to properly support implants over time and to form the full, rounded curves that help implants look natural.

In revision surgery, ADM promotes new cellular growth that helps correct defects and tissue damage that can occur following injury or implant complications as well as strengthening tissue that has become weakened as the result of multiple surgeries.

ADM is a natural biologic material, which means it’s well received by the body’s own tissues, and because new cells and blood vessels will continue to form for months following the procedure, the tissue surrounding the breasts will continue to strengthen and become more supportive over time.

If you’ve been told you’re not a good candidate for implant or revision surgery due to thin or weakened tissues, don’t take “no” for an answer. Using ADM, you may be able to enjoy the self-confidence that comes from having smooth, natural-looking curves. The first step in learning whether ADM might be a good choice for you is to schedule a consultation here or give us a call to set up a consultation (305) 861-6881.

The post ADM Makes Breast Implants Possible Even for Those with Thin or Damaged Tissue appeared first on Ary Krau MD.