Top 10 Tips You’ll Need to Know Before Breast Augmentation Surgery (And a Few Useful Secrets!)

The decision to get a breast augmentation, depending on who you are, can either be a long road of deliberation and thought, or one of the easiest decisions you’ve ever made. Regardless of what boat you’re in, everyone who decides to undergo breast augmentation surgery can find common ground in having some amount of fear and uncertainty about the procedure. And for good reason – it’s a life-changing event that will surgically alter your appearance! However, preparation and knowledge are great antidotes to fear for those who are feeling skittish. If you’re like me, you’ll spend hours pouring over the internet and writing down everything you’ll need to know before the big day. Let yourself rest. We’ve done the work for you, and put together the top 10 most mentioned tips on the web that you’ll need to know before the big day – plus a few little-known (and very useful) secrets!

1. Buy a Sports Bra: It’s a wonder that so many people forget this, but this is one of the most important steps you’ll need to take before surgery. Buy a comfortable sports bra that zips in the front and has NO underwire. It's important to have it zip in the front because it's much easier to get in and out of. No need to get fancy/sexy here! One of our favorite bras is from Target (link: https://www.target.com/p/women-s-high-support-zip-front-bra-all-in-motion/-/A-77641037?preselect=77347060#lnk=sametab). Comfort is key.

2. Get a Button Down Shirt. You’ll want to have a loose-fitting button-down shirt to wear on the day of your surgery. A zip-up hoodie/jacket also works! They’re easy to open, easy to close, and easy to get in and out of. While you’re at it, get a few more to wear during the recovery process.

3. Do Your Laundry and Clean Your House. Let’s face it, you’re not going to be able to do your laundry for at least a couple of weeks post-op. You’ll be spending the majority of your time in bed, so make sure this area is clean. Wash your pillowcases, sheets, and comforters – and have a few extra just in case. Clean your house so you’ll be able to recover with a clear mind in a clean space.

4. Stop Taking Aspirin/NSAIDS. Prior to surgery, you’ll need to stop taking aspirin and all aspirin-containing medications and products. Aspirin thins the blood and can lead to surgical complications. We recommend avoiding aspirin for at least 3 weeks before surgery. This includes ibuprofen, Advil, and Aleve!

5. Drink Lots (Water, Not Alcohol!) Drink lots of water on the days leading up to your surgery. Hydration is very important and can reduce nausea after the surgery. The catch? Stop drinking water by midnight the night before your surgery. In addition, avoid alcohol for at least 24 hours prior to the operation. Tempting as it may be to indulge in a de-stressing drink in the days prior to surgery, this must be avoided at all costs.

6. Stop Smoking. Do your best to quit smoking 4-6 weeks before surgery. Smoking reduces oxygen levels in the blood, which can slow down the healing process. However, if you are having a breast lift, you will need to have quit smoking for at least 3 months. Smoking increases the risks of necrosis (tissue death) in those having breast lifts. As hard as it may be to stop smoking, the results are always worth it!

7. Buy Cold Compresses. Yes, for your boobs! Buy a cold compress or stock on some frozen peas. You’ll need cold compresses to apply to your breasts after surgery in order to reduce swelling and pain.

8. Friend/ Family Support. You might feel like you can handle it on your own, but you’ll need someone to drive you and to help you with a few things after your surgery. Find a friend or get your spouse to transport you to and from your surgery, and to stay with you for at least 24-48 hours afterward. You never know if you’ll need someone to help fetch you the remote, reach for a can of soup in the cabinet, or go on a drugstore run.

9. No Make-Up and Acrylic/Gel Nails/Fake Eyelashes. Remove all makeup, jewelry, and nail polish. You’ll want to be clean for the surgery, so take a shower the morning of surgery. Wash your hair, since you won’t be able to shower until about 48 hours after surgery. If you wash your hair, make sure your hair is dry before surgery. Don't refill your eyelashes prior to surgery as these may be inadvertently pulled when anesthesia tapes your eyes. Remove acrylic/gel nails and trim your nails short. You will need to clean your breasts and incisions after surgery. Having long nails can harvest lots of bacteria that can transfer onto your breasts! Nail polish also makes it difficult to get an accurate read on your oxygen levels during surgery. Once everything is healed, schedule an appointment to get your nails done again ;)

10. Have Food Ready. It’s time to hunker down and accept the fact that you probably won’t be leaving your house much for the next week. Have some light, ready-made food easily available, as well as a few pre-made meals. Place them on lower shelves and cabinetry, since you won’t be able to reach over your head after surgery. Purchase some Ensure or Boost protein drinks for those days when you’ll have little to no appetite.

There you have it! The top ten most mentioned tips you’ll need to know before the big day. For those who are ultra-prepared, here are a few extra useful secrets to help get you by.