Is the surgery very painful?
Since everyone’s threshold for pain is different, judging pain following surgery is very difficult. Most patients feel the surgery was much less uncomfortable than what they expected. Generally the pain is not judged as being major or severe following breast lifting, breast implants or liposuction. The pain is most often described as minor or moderate in nature and severity. You will have a prescription for a pain medication strong enough to relieve your postoperative discomforts.
What will my breasts look like when the dressings are removed?
When the dressing is removed you’ll see some bruising, swelling, molding from the dressing and perhaps your incision may leak a few drops of blood. I’m sure you’ll look in the mirror and might be dismayed to find them not quite the same for some reason.
Healing takes time and patience. Please do not be concerned. Healing is never quite the same when surgery is performed on both breasts. Just follow the instructions regarding what you’re allowed to do and when, and you’ll see them evolve over the postoperative period into the desired shape and size.
Does it really take 4 to 6 months to see the final result?
Actually it takes from 18 to 24 months to heal completely. By 6 months however, the majority of the essential healing has occurred and we can reassess your breasts to decide if any revisions are required.
When can I return to normal sports, exercise or driving a car?
At 4 weeks following your surgery you can return to your normal exercise and sporting activities. Always remember that a slow, progressive return to normal to optimal for proper healing and pain control. Most patients can resume driving within a few days following their procedure.
If my nipples feel differently after the surgery, what can be done?
Most cases of altered nipple sensation gradually return to normal within a few weeks while others may take a few months. There is no surgery or medication that can improve the sensation in the nipple-areola region.
When can I plan a vacation?
It is important that you be seen for your 1 month postoperative visit. This is to ensure you are healing as expected. We don’t want to get into troubles when you’re away from Montreal. After this visit, if your healing is proceeding as expected, you can leave on a vacation.
Can a breast lift procedure be a “one procedure” job or are revisions/touch-ups required?
Imagine a surgeon that could get it 100% right every time, his clientele would be flying in from every corner of the earth! Surgery simply doesn’t work this way. When tissue is altered to achieve a different form or shape, especially when two areas are intended to look the same, it is unrealistic to believe both breasts will always heal identically. There are many factors involved with proper healing, not just the skill of the surgeon. The quality of the patient’s tissue, pre-existing factors effecting wound healing and the patient’s adherence to postoperative protocols are only a few parameters that will affect outcome.
The philosophy in cosmetic surgery is to always err on the conservative side. Why? The answer is very simple. If a little breast tissue or asymmetry remains, then a minor revision under local anesthesia is usually all that is required to get the final ideal result.
However, if too much tissue is either excised or suctioned and there are contouring irregularities, tethering of scars or deformities, then the solution to these issues may become more complicated.
We both want your result to be ideal, perfect, symmetric and natural with scars that are so well healed you can barely see them. This is what we will both strive to achieve. But getting there may require a minor revision in some cases
When can I return to normal sexual activity?
Sexual activity involving breast manipulation can resume by 3 to 4 weeks following surgery in most cases. Some patients find they need more time – 2 to 3 months in some cases – before they feel ready.
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