LIPOELASTIC TEAM We asked Miss Lopa Patel, Consultant Plastic Surgeon at Manchester Private Hospital (MPH), the questions patients most want answered before breast surgery. Here’s what she shared.
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1. What are the most common concerns patients in the UK bring up before breast reduction or breast augmentation surgery?
The most common issues patients like to discuss prior to any breast surgery is scarring. This can encompass questions regarding the type and length of scar, the quality of the scar, and the maturation process which occurs as well as what to expect over the several months.
If we sub-categorise breast surgery questions by type of surgery, it further helps us think about common concerns people all wish to discuss.
Breast augmentation surgery tends to lead to questions surrounding the implant selection including size, shape, texture, brand, placement of implant (under or over the muscle) and expected cup size.
Patients having breast reduction surgery again tend to want to know more about what resultant cup size and volume they may expect to have.
Finally, any combined procedures such as mastopexy and augmentation lend itself to questions surrounding expected aesthetic results and time frames for healing.
2. Many patients worry about pain after surgery, what would they realistically expect during recovery, and how is pain usually managed?
Generally, I find post operative pain post-surgery is not too severe and we mitigate this risk by making sure we use lots of local anaesthetic on the day of surgery, provide good analgesia both during and after the surgery and help swelling by asking patients to wear compression garments and/or bands/binders. If you listen to your surgeon’s after care advice, particularly about no excessive exercises and a sensible phased return to normality, then most people can manage post operative pain with simple analgesics.
Expect to feel a level of discomfort related to swelling initially in the first few weeks of your post-surgery recovery which can feel like a throb or dragging sensation. Ice and compression can significantly help with this, but we ask you to avoid ibuprofen as it can make you bruise a lot.
3. Scarring is another big concern. What factors affect scar healing, and what can patients do to support the best outcome?
Scars heal over a long phase of time which most people underestimate. Scars can heal on the surface of the skin in 1-2 weeks, but they can take up to 18 months in total to mature and become stable or at their final stage.
In that time process, immature collagen gets replaced by the body with mature and organised collagen so anything that will help this process for the body will aid excellent scar healing which includes a healthy and balanced diet with good protein, excellent hydration, vitamins, and minerals supplements.
In addition, it’s important to remember to keep scars clean by not tampering with the dressings as any infection can affect the final quality of the scar and to head advice about showering and self-care well. You can reduce swelling to stop the scars splitting too by continuing to wear the compression garment correctly. Again, adhere to post operative activity - rest levels dos and don’ts strictly.
From around 6 weeks onwards, you can help scars heal better by massaging them with bio-oil or silicone gel for scars and applying silicone gel sheets.
4. Patients often ask how long their results will last. How do you advise them about the implant longevity or the durability of the breast lift/reduction results?
Implant longevity is directly related to the rate of formation of the capsule around it over time (aka scar tissue). Every single person with an implant develops a scar tissue around the implant. Initially it is thin and pliable but for each year the implant is in the body, the scar tissue thickens and there are some additional risk factors such as smoking, needing radiotherapy to the chest wall, pregnancy hormones, the size of the implant and if it is placed under or over the muscle which affects the rate of capsule formation.
We only ask people to come in and have implants exchanged if they experience capsular contracture symptoms such as pain from lying on the implants, a change in the implant shape, and if the implant is feeling very firm and riding higher than before. The time at which this occurs is individual person to person but in the UK the average is around between 10-15 years. However, your implants could last you upwards of 20 years without capsule symptoms. So, in this case, you can leave them well alone safely.
Breast lift or reduction results will last longer term based on stable weight. Any major changes to weight, including significant weight loss or gain, will adversely affect these results. It’s always important that before embarking on breast surgery of any kind your weight is at its ideal goal and stable for at least 6 months.
5. Recovery timelines can be confusing. How long should patients expect to wear compression garments or post-op bras, and when can they return to normal activities?
Compressions garments are best worn for a minimum of 6-8 weeks day and night to ensure that you can achieve the best results. At this point in time, most patients are about 90% of the way towards their final results. I see my patients at this point then to guide if further compression garment adherence is necessary to achieve that final optimal result or if it can be removed. Once the garments are removed it’s important not to go back into full swing of daily activities straight away. It’s very important to have a phased return to normality and build up activity levels over several weeks if not months and particularly high impact activities like weight training or running. If this is not done correctly, patients can swell significantly again and/or damage their results. I normally advise my patients to wear their garment when doing physically strenuous activity and overnight on that day too, to reduce the swelling that may occur as a result.
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Finally, what advice would you give to someone who is considering breast surgery but still feels anxious about the procedure?
If someone is considering breast surgery and is still feeling anxious, my best advice is to do your ground research on any institution or surgeon you may be choosing to have the operation with. Knowledge is power and therefore it’s vital you feel comfortable with this selection first. Then, it will be key to meet your surgeon and the team that will be looking after you as well as see the hospital you will be treated at. This stage should instill a sense of confidence in you, and all your questions should be answered well.
My bra recommendation is the PI ideal, and the best scar gel is LIPOELASTIC Scar Gel.
Find Miss Lopa Patel at Manchester Private Hospital
♡ Continue Your Recovery Journey With These Articles:
- Post-Operative Breast Care: Tips for Faster Healing and Long-Lasting Results
- Choosing the Perfect Compression Bra for the Initial Weeks Following Breast Augmentation
- What’s a Transitional Bra and Why It Matters After Breast Augmentation
- Insider Tips: 5 Things I Wish I Knew Before a Breast Augmentation
- Understanding Breast Reduction Surgery: Procedure, Benefits, and Post-Operative Care
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