Breast Lift Preparation and Surgery in Charlotte

Once you have decided to have breast lift surgery, you will want to prepare for your procedure. Knowing you are prepared for your mastopexy can help reduce your stress and ease your nerves before your procedure. Here are some helpful tips on breast lift preparation and surgery in Charlotte.

Preparation for Your Breast Lift Surgery

Before your breast lift, be sure that any preop testing has been completed and, if needed, have any healthcare providers give clearance for surgery. This is especially important if you need to have a mammogram prior to your breast lift. 

Consider what help you will need to care for your family, and line up friends and family to assist. You will not be able to drive immediately after surgery, so arrange for someone to chauffeur you or your children while you recover. 

Eating, Personal Habits, and Medications

After a mastopexy, when you will not be as mobile and cannot lift heavy items, consider having ready-to-eat food waiting in your refrigerator and freezer. You should also have caffeine-free drinks stocked to keep your body well-hydrated. 

Avoid smoking and drinking in the weeks leading up to your surgery. Do not smoke or consume alcohol until you are completely healed.

Be sure that all your prescription medications are filled and will last at least a couple of weeks. We will give you surgery related prescriptions ahead of time that should be filled and waiting for you at home. Ask for easy-to-open lids for all your medication bottles.

Preparing Your House

Prepare your house so that nothing will need to be done immediately after your breast lift. Go shopping before surgery, and consider getting convenience items such as dry shampoo for your hair and baby wipes for easy clean up. Have extra books or magazines to read, and make sure your TV is ready for binge-watching your favorite shows. 

As you are prepping your house, remember to move items that you routinely use to about waist level. Reaching up and bending down will be difficult after your surgery. Make sure to clean your house prior to your procedure, and consider hiring a cleaning service or arranging for a friend to help clean during your recovery time. 

Supplies and Clothing

You will want to have ice packs ready and waiting for your return home. You might want to buy Tegaderm to cover your incisions when bathing. Collect extra pillows that you can use to help prop your body into a comfortable position. 

Focus on having clothing ready. Button or zipper front tops and elastic waistband pants will be the easiest to put on and get off. You will go home in a surgical bra, but you will need good, supportive bras to wear after surgery. Talk with our staff for specific suggestions.

Lastly, the night before surgery is your time to sleep. So, complete all preparations for surgery in advance so that you can rest before your breast lift in Charlotte.

The Day of Surgery

Your surgical day starts at midnight. You will be told a specific time after which you may not eat or drink. If you have necessary medications to take in the morning, you may have a small sip of water. You may rinse your mouth as usual after brushing your teeth. 

Getting Ready Before Surgery

Since you will not be able to shower for a couple of days, taking a shower and washing your hair before surgery is a good idea. Do not scrub hard or shave hair, as this works against your body’s natural ability to evade infection. Skip putting any lotions or other moisturizers on your upper body. 

When dressing, pick a loose-fitting button or zipper-front top and elastic waistband pants. Remember to leave all your usual jewelry and hair clips at home. Do not wear contact lenses, and skip applying makeup and perfume.

After Your Procedure

The average breast lift takes about three hours to complete. Once done, you will rest in the main recovery room for about one hour. When ready, you will prepare to go home.

Your designated driver will take you home. For safety, it is best if you have an adult stay with you the evening of surgery and overnight the first night. You will need help in the very beginning. Take pain medications as needed. Even if you are not interested in eating (anesthesia can do that to you), be sure to stay hydrated. This helps flush the anesthetics out of your body faster. 

Find a comfortable place to sleep. Use all your extra pillows to help hold your body in a comfortable position. Sleep as much as your body wants to because this is the main time your body uses to repair. The preparation you did up front for your breast lift surgery in Charlotte should lead to an easier recovery. 

Prepare for Your Breast Lift Surgery in Charlotte for a Smooth Recovery

You may never feel fully prepared for a surgical procedure, but, if you have everything ready at home, it will make the day of your mastopexy—and your recovery—go much smoother. Be sure that everyone you usually care for is ready so that you will not have any additional stress as you heal. After surgery is the time when you focus on yourself so that you will recover well, without any complications.

You can call our office and talk with our staff or set up an extra appointment prior to the procedure to speak with the doctor if you have any questions. We are here to guide you through breast lift preparation and surgery in Charlotte.