Breast Enlargement / Breast Implant Surgery

Pre-Operation

• A consultation (approximately one hour long) with Dr Georgina Konrat will include a comprehensive presentation of information about breast augmentation / breast enlargement surgery. She will listen carefully to your description of your reasons for wanting breast implants, and the results you want to achieve.
• Dr Konrat will ask important questions about you and your health (your medical history).
• Dr Konrat will examine your breasts, noting their size and shape, the quality of your skin and other physical details necessary to assist in the planning of your breast implant surgery.
• You will have the opportunity to have fun planning your post-surgery 'look' by putting on a special elastic bra (a 'sizer'), and different sizes and styles of implants will be tried on to assess the style, size and shape that will achieve your ideals.
• You will be given an information kit to take home. We understand that you may not remember or understand everything you hear in the consultation, so we encourage you to make notes as soon as possible after the consultation, and call or email Dr Konrat with any concerns or questions you may have about the surgery.
• At least one week prior to surgery, blood tests will be taken and pre-operative mammogram screening is recommended.
• In order to have the best healing result, Brisbane Cosmetic Clinic recommends:
  
• Eat a diet rich in vegetables, fish, fruit and salads;
• Commence taking Vitamin C, D, Zinc and Selenium.
• Drugs:
• Do not take aspirin or anti-inflammatory drugs (Naproxen, Voltaren, Feldene, Brufen or Nurofen) ten days before and ten days after your operation. These medicines can thin your blood and aggravate bruising or bleeding.
• You must discuss any use of 'leisure drugs' with Dr Konrat at the time of your consultation, as these could also have an impact on the success of the surgery.
• You must cease smoking for at least two weeks before and one month after your surgery.
• Pre-operative and post-operative instructions are provided in the brochure given at the time of the pre-operative appointment, or are sent to you once you have booked a date for your surgery.
• Brisbane Cosmetic Clinic staff are pleased to answer any questions after your consultation, and you are encouraged to return for a second consultation or 'sizing' any time you feel it would be useful.

The Operation

• Breast Implant surgery is done in an accredited Day Surgery hospital under general anesthetic.
• The procedure usually takes between one and two hours.
• Dr Konrat makes an incision in the agreed spot, elevates the breast tissues, surgically creating a pocket or space into which the implant of choice is placed. The coverings of the pocket are then closed with stitches and the skin stitched or sutured closed. The wound is covered with a small waterproof surgical tape which is left in place until you next see your Doctor or the surgical practice nurse.

Post-Operation

• A complete list of instructions will be given to you prior to your surgery. You will also be able to read about the post-operative period in the information brochure given to you at your first consultation.
• After a short recovery period, usually about two hours, you can go home. You must have a relative or friend drive you home from the hospital and you should under no circumstance take public transport. Be prepared to rest in bed for two hours after you get home, and it is best that you are not alone at home for the first 24 hours after surgery.
• You are likely to feel drowsy or even sleepy after the ansthetic, but apart from this, if you feel fine, you can expect to be able to undertake normal light activity around the home on the evening of your surgery. You should eat lightly and drink to replenish your body fluids.
• You will be sent home with two small surgical tapes (like Band-Aids) over the stitches. They will remain in place until you return about one week later for the removal of the stitches (which is not painful). During this week, you are able to shower, but not bath or swim. After showering, you should pat the tapes dry with a towel. After the stitches are removed, you will be given special tapes to apply to your scars for the next six weeks.
• There are no drains or bandages, but some patients will have a special support bra, which will be worn for the first six weeks.
• If the implants are placed above the muscle, there is only moderate discomfort after the surgery, which is treated very well with pain relief medications such as Panadol or Celebrex. Mild pain relief medication is usually taken for the first two or three days.
• If the implants have been placed under the muscle, there is much more pain and you will require at least a week or two off work.
• There is some swelling and occasionally some bruising immediately after the surgery.
• You do not need to sleep sitting up or lying on your back. Right from the first night, you are encouraged to sleep naturally, turning from side to side as normal. This helps the lymphatic system and veins drain away any swelling and bruising.
  Your breasts will take about six weeks to heal. By that time, swelling and bruising should have subsided completely, and your skin and breast tissues will have changed to accommodate your now larger breasts.
• At one week following your surgery you will need to have your 'invisible' stitches taken out. This is pain free.
• New surgical tape will be placed over the scar and you will change the surgical tape over the wound once a week, each week for 6 weeks. This assist with healing and gives the best chance of the scar healing well.
• You will have post-operative checkups with Dr Konrat at one week, six weeks, six months and twelve months.