12 Helpful Tips for the Significant Other During Breast Augmentation

Breast Augmentation Recovery

 

12 Helpful Tips for the Significant Other During Breast Augmentation 

First and foremost, be emotionally prepared to be the caregiver. Your partner will soon be in a position she is not used to, with a level of helplessness that she likely will not enjoy or be used to. She will not have control over her recovery period so you both will have to respond to it, because it’s pretty much in charge of your life for at least a few weeks. Preparation is key so the more prepared you are ahead of time, the better.

1. Ice and Ice Packs

Small freezable gel packs. LAY THE PACKS FLAT TO RE-FREEZE THEM. Rock hard distorted gelpacks can dig into the sides of her hard breasts so severely that they can be too painful to use. better yet, keep the gel packs in the coldest part of your fridge instead of the freezer for a nice cooling gel.  Remember, she is likely to be numb so keep anything frozen on for only 20 minutes at a time.

2. Toilet Lids

Just for the recovery period, leave the toliet lid up and the seat down,  Do not put the top cover down. It is very painful to bend forward for any reason so have that toilet ready for her so she doesn’t have to deal with the lid or seat. She will thank you!

3. Phone Calls

Each time the phone rings, ask in advance if she wants the phone brought to her or if she wants messages taken. Holding a phone to your ear requires a surprising amount of pectoral strength, which she will not have. The person on the other end of the line is not likely going to be thinking of that.

4. Position Changes and Light Headedness

Be aware that light-headedness can happen for a while, especially if your partner is nauseous. Once she manages to stand up, be sure you remind her to take deep breaths to be sure she does not aggravate the light-headedness with oxygen deprivation. Don’t let her try stairs without being close by in case she becomes faint. Be prepared to support her body if she gets weak, as reaching for her hand will be useless. Watch for this especially when she takes her first shower and don't let her do it alone.

5. Beds

If you have a recliner chair, line it with a mattress pad and use single sheets to make it up for the first few days of sleep. Don’t forget that if it has one of those handles to bring up the feet, once your partner is in it, she won’t be able to reach the bar to get herself out. Encourage her to get her lower back right into the lower back of the chair, to avoid pain over the few days and add a small extra pillow there if there isn’t excellent lumbar support. Sleep close by. Use light weight blankets, as ANY weight on your breasts is uncomfortable when lying on your back.  If she does want to sleep in her bed, make sure she has pillows to sleep inclined and an extra to put under her knees.

6. Memory

Your partner may ask for you to remind her of things, go over things, or remember things that have been said to you both. She may not recall the order things happened or specific instructions so be prepared to be in charge of the details.

7. Food

Do be prepared for nausea and then consider yourself very lucky if she does not have it. Plain crackers, a few bowls of Jell-O, some meal replacement drinks, can go a long way if she gets sick. Don’t cook strong smelling meals for yourself if she is nauseous.  Make sure she eats when she takes her medications and it should help curb future nausea.

8. Flowers

A few fresh flowers by her bed help bring the outside world in for those few days of imprisonment (unless scents are making her nauseous).

9. What to Say

This is personal of course, but when you are bruised, swollen, and dishevelled, a compliment goes a VERY long way. Be sure you offer a great deal of quiet sincere encouragement and remind your partner that her new breasts are beautiful to you )even though they won't be at first). NO CRITICISM of anything about her.

10. Ups and Downs

Recovery might be a cinch, but I think for most of us, it’s an up and down process. Remember that most of us keep hoping…”Okay, THAT was the worst part and now it’s over”… and if you have some rough hours or a rough day AFTER that, it can be discouraging. It’s not a straight linear recovery climb, its two steps forward and sometimes one or even two back. “I promise you will feel better soon” is probably a fair statement, and “What can I do to help you?” are sweet words. If she has any ongoing concerns, call the doctor for her and get answers quickly. You don’t want her worrying about whether anything is normal or not. Brush her hair and sooth her any way you can.

11. All Better! – NOT

Don’t let her get going too fast once she feels better. Celebrate all the recovery steps but make sure she keeps resting and only adds small jobs at a time to her process of getting back to normal life demands.  Even when she feels like she is better, make sure she follows the doctor's strict orders when it comes to lifting.


Happy surgery!




Reference: http://www.implantinfo.com/faqs/1.56.aspx

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Are you considering breast augmentation, breast lift, or tummy tuck in Houston? Look no further! Introducing a new finance option for your plastic surgery procedure in Houston available exclusively with Dr. Robert Kratschmer, Board Certified Plastic Surgeon.

We have great options for Christmas! Call us today at 281-317-8179, or visit our Museum District - South office.  Schedule your complementary consultation online and have the Mommy Makeover of your dreams!

Did You Know There Were Options for Tummy Tuck Surgery?

When we see a new patient for a Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty) consultation,all options are considered. Usually, one method has the clear advantage, but occasionally there are multiple approaches to a good result. A Tummy Tuck may be the perfect fit, but sometimes less is more, like when Liposuction or a Mini Tummy Tuck will fix the problem area. Other times, more is more, like doing a Mommy Makeover to combine belly and breast procedures, or in case of a Fleur-de-Lis Tummy Tuck after massive weight loss. You'll want to select a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon who has experience with all your Belly Flattening options.

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Not Your Mother's Body: Mommy Makeovers Can Restore Your Pre-Pregnancy Figure

Supermodel and mother of four Heidi Klum recently posed topless for a photo spread in Allure magazine. When asked later during an online interview with The Huffington Post how she keeps "the girls" perky after four pregnancies, Klum took a philosophical approach.

"I think that just has to do with exercise and a lot with your genes. You either have the genes or you don't have the genes," she responded.

Klum is partly right. A woman's genetic makeup dictates to a degree how her body reacts to the hormonal and physical changes associated with pregnancy. For example, some women are more prone to developing stretch marks than others, some women's breasts just seem to bounce back to their prenatal state more readily, and some post-baby bumps just hang in there no matter how much abdominal work you do. And while exercising before, during and after pregnancy can be a boon to regaining your pre-baby figure, it's not the only option for getting back in shape.

Meet the Mommy Makeover

Increasingly, moms who are unhappy with the way their breasts look after pregnancy are opting for the mommy makeover, a combination of plastic surgery procedures which may include breast augmentation and/or a breast lift, a tummy tuck and a butt lift. Together, these procedures address the areas of a woman's body that take the most direct hits during pregnancy and the postpartum period.

The primary advantage of a mommy makeover is that in one surgical session your body is transformed as closely as possible to your pre-pregnancy figure, and you get to see all the results as one complete package, instead of having the surgeries done separately at intervals.

Getting Ready for Your Mommy Makeover

Most surgeons prefer that you stop breastfeeding and lose most of your pregnancy weight before you schedule your mommy makeover. They generally consider six months postpartum to be the earliest possible time for this type of surgery, and many prefer that women wait until a year has passed. They also recommend that women postpone a mommy makeover until after their last pregnancy so they can avoid the need for future repeat surgery.

The first step in preparing for your mommy makeover is choosing a qualified, board-certified plastic surgeon who is affiliated with an accredited, office-based surgical center, outpatient ambulatory surgical center or hospital. The surgeon will be your guide, your sounding board and the artist who creates the new you, so it's imperative that you find someone who's both professionally qualified and sympathetic to you as a person.

Once you've picked your surgeon, follow his or her instructions for preparing for your mommy makeover surgery. This includes what to do on the day of surgery, postoperative care and follow-up, as well as a checklist of do's and don'ts that covers:

• Lab testing and/or medical evaluation
• Medications and supplements that should be avoided or adjusted, including prescriptions, aspirin, and anti-inflammatory drugs that may cause bleeding problems
• Scheduling a baseline mammogram before surgery and another one afterwards
• Avoiding smoking and alcoholic beverages prior to surgery
• Other presurgery instructions required by the surgeon

Breast Augmentation as Part of a Mommy Makeover

As most moms will attest, pregnancy and breastfeeding take their toll on the shape and firmness of their breasts. Add in other factors like age-related loss of skin elasticity and the natural effects of gravity, and all too often the result is breasts that sag and appear less full than they were B.C. (Before Children). Some women liken them to pancakes or empty socks.

Just like the extra skin on your belly, the extra skin on your breasts A.D. (After Delivery) will gradually disappear, and fatty tissues will fill out your breasts again. The whole process can take up to six months, and there's no guarantee that your breasts will look like they did before you got pregnant.

On the other hand, breast augmentation with implants rejuvenates breasts by recreating the volume that motherhood and time have stolen. Breast implants also offer women who are unhappy with their bustline the opportunity to go up a cup size or more.

Breast augmentation surgery as part of a mommy makeover is performed just as it would be as a solo procedure. For example, you'll make the same decisions regarding the type of implants, their shape, texture and placement, and the incision technique used. However, there are a few differences when breast augmentation is part of a mommy makeover.

First, multiple procedures done at the same time means the surgery will run longer. Breast augmentation can take up to four hours to perform depending on the technique used and the surgeon's skill. When combined with a breast lift (with or without laser bra surgery) and/or tummy tuck, surgery time lengthens and there's a greater risk of complications. The advantage of a mommy makeover, however, is that there's just one surgery instead of several, which means decreased exposure to anesthesia and one comprehensive recovery period.

Mommy Makeover Recovery

The recovery period after a mommy makeover is shorter than if you had each procedure performed separately. However, that's not to say that it will be easier. Your plastic surgeon will go over what to expect on the road to recovery and your postsurgical instructions.

You will mostly likely need some additional help at home for the first few days after surgery, especially if you have young children or other family members who rely on you for their care. It's important that you get plenty of rest, eat healthily and take your pain medications on time.

Your physical activity will be restricted for several weeks, which will curtail what you can do around the house and at work. Heavy lifting (and that includes picking up your toddler) is out of the question, as is reaching over your head, both of which could strain your incisions and cause them to open.

With time you will feel normal again, but full recovery can take up to six months or longer. During this time, be sure to keep all your postoperative appointments with your surgeon so he or she can assess your progress.

Mommy Makeover Cost

Cost is also a factor for most women, especially because these elective procedures are not covered by medical insurance. In the United States, the national average surgeon fee for a breast augmentation is about $3,700; the average surgeon fees for breast lift and tummy tuck are $4,400 and $5,400, respectively, according to the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery. The surgeon's fee is just one part of the cost. There are other surgery-related expenses, like the anesthesiologist's bill, operating room fee and lab work. That said, these are less when multiple procedures are performed at the same time. Many surgeons will offer a reduced rate when combining procedures in a mommy makeover. Make sure you are aware of the costs, including the cost of breast lift and the price of the breast implants (if you choose breast augmentation), before you book your surgery. Financing plans may be available to help pay for your mommy makeover.

To schedule a free consultation for Mommy Makeover with Board Certified Plastic Surgeon, Dr. Robert Kratschmer, in Pearland please click here.

Reference: http://www.breastimplants4you.com/mommy-makeover-surgery.htm