Pre-Op and Post-Op Instructions and Recovery

Your Pre-Op Consultation

Dr. Neil J. Zemmel is dedicated to providing the highest level of patient care. From your initial consultation through the end of your recovery period, Dr. Zemmel and his team will guide you every step of the way. Two weeks prior to the day of your breast surgery, you will have one final consultation with your surgeon. During this consultation, your surgeon will cover the details of your entire procedure. They will discuss the technical aspects of the surgery, your potential results, the possible risks, and the recovery period. If you are undergoing a breast implant procedure, you will be given another opportunity to try on implants to confirm your final size. Any and all of your questions will be fully answered. In addition to answering any last-minute questions or concerns, you will be given detailed pre-operative instructions. You will also receive your prescriptions so you can fill them beforehand and have them available immediately after the procedure.

We also recommend that you maintain your usual activity levels in the weeks leading up to your surgery, as exercise will need to be limited during recovery. Patients who smoke should avoid tobacco products several weeks before and after their scheduled surgery. You will also be given a list of oral medications and vitamins to avoid during this pre-operative period, including blood thinners, some herbal supplements, and over-the-counter pain pills such as ibuprofen and naproxen.

Post-Op Recovery

To minimize the duration of the recovery period, as well as increase your post-operative comfort level, your surgeon will use advanced breast surgery techniques. Dr. Zemmel uses gentle and meticulous techniques to minimize tissue trauma, bruising, and swelling. Precise placement of your implants will cause less trauma to the surrounding tissue and reduce swelling or bruising. Dr. Zemmel has found this approach to breast surgery often leads to a noticeably faster recovery while still producing the same beautiful, natural-looking results.

Most discomfort from your procedure will typically resolve in five to seven days, and muscle relaxers and analgesics can be used to help you remain comfortable during this period. Many of our patients compare the postoperative discomfort of breast surgery to the muscle soreness one feels after a rigorous upper body workout or the way the breasts feel during pregnancy and nursing. We usually recommend limiting your physical activity during the first two weeks, and suggest you avoid strenuous exercise for 4 to 6 weeks.

You will be well-supported throughout your recovery by our staff and your surgeon. You will be given frequent follow up appointments with your surgeon so they may closely monitor your progress. The entire Richmond Aesthetic Surgery team is available to answer any questions you may have along the way. You will also be taught a post-operative breast massage technique that can break up scar tissue, keep the implant pocket soft, and ultimately optimize the outcome of your procedure. After these initial weeks, you can truly begin to enjoy your fuller and more youthful figure.

To learn more about our breast surgery procedures, or to schedule a consultation, please contact our office today.