Auckland, New Zealand (Smile Makeover)
would never have though my teeth could look that good
Auckland, New Zealand (Breast Augmentation)
all spoke good English which was re-assuring and nothing was too much trouble
Hawkes Bay, New Zealand (Tummy Tuck) I'm very pleased already with the result I can see
Auckland, New Zealand (Breast Augmentation) So much better than I had imagined and the hospital was great
Hawkes Bay, New Zealand (Breast Lift, Tummy Tuck, Liposuction)
The hospital - well this was way beyond what I was expecting from the head nurse down to the orderly.
Surgery: Breast Lift
Time required: 4 - 6 hours Anaesthesia: General Length of Stay (In Hospital): 2 nights in hospital standard room Follow up: 7-10 days after surgery
Pre Operative Assessment
You will be asked to stop smoking well in advance of surgery including Aspirin and certain anti-inflammatory drugs which can cause increased bleeding.
If you are planning to lose a significant amount of weight, be sure to tell your plastic surgeon. He or she may recommend that you stabilize your weight prior to undergoing surgery.
Consultation will be arranged to discuss your medical history. You will be asked to provide completed information about this.
Patients who are generally satisfied with the size of their breasts can have a breast lift to raise and firm them, resulting in a more youthful breast contour. Some patients may be unhappy that they have lost a significant amount of breast volume over time. In such cases, implants inserted in conjunction with a breast lift can increase breast size at the same time as the shape and position of the breasts are enhanced.
There are many variations to the design of the incisions for breast lift surgery. The size and shape of your breasts, size of your areolas, and the extent of sagging are factors that will help your plastic surgeon determine the best technique for you.
Please avoid food and drink 6-8 hours prior to the operation.
Please prepare and bring support bra yourself for your post operative assessment.
Procedure
The most common procedure involves an anchor-shaped incision following the natural contour of the breast. The incision outlines the area from which breast skin will be removed and defines the new location for the nipple.
When the excess skin has been removed, the nipple and areola are moved to the higher position. The skin surrounding the areola is then brought down together to reshape the breast. Stitches are usually located around the areola, in a vertical line extending downwards from the nipple area, and along the lower crease of the breast.
Patients with relatively small breasts and minimal sagging may be candidates for modified procedures requiring less extensive incisions such as the "doughnut (or concentric) mastopexy," in which circular incisions are made around the areola, and a doughnut-shaped area of skin is removed.
Moreover, when you desire to enlarge your breasts at the same time as they are lifted, the implant will be placed in a pocket directly under the breast tissue, or deeper, under the muscle of the chest wall.
Breast lifts are usually performed under general anaesthesia, which means you'll sleep through the operation.
Your plastic surgeon will examine your breasts, taking measurements and perhaps photographs for your medical record. The size and shape of your breasts, the quality of your skin, and the placement of the nipples and areolas will be carefully evaluated.
You should come to the consultation prepared to discuss your medical history. This will include information about any medical conditions, drug allergies, medical treatments you have received, previous surgeries including breast biopsies, and medications that you currently take. It is important for you to provide complete information.
Below are important points that you need to consider before undergoing any surgery:
• Stop smoking well in advance of surgery.
• Stop taking Aspirin, herbal or diet supplements and certain anti-inflammatory drugs at least two weeks as taking these substances can cause increased bleeding.
• Do not eat nor drink anything at least 6 – 8 hours before surgery.
• Use antibacterial soap and allow the soap lather to cover the skin of the surgical area for 10 minutes on the night before your surgery and in the morning of your surgery.
Post Operative Care
You may feel some pain for the first couple of days and your breasts will be bruised, swollen, and uncomfortable for a day or two. Your surgeon will prescribe medication to lessen the pain.
After surgery, you'll be wrapped in an elastic bandage or a surgical bra over gauze dressings.
A small tube may be placed in each breast to drain off blood and fluids for the first day or two.
The bandages will be removed a day or two after surgery, though you'll continue wearing the surgical bra around the clock for several weeks, until the swelling and bruising subside.
Your stitches will be removed in one to three weeks.
If your breast skin is very dry following surgery, you can apply a moisturizer several times a day, but be sure to keep the suture area dry.
You can expect some loss of feeling in your nipples and breast skin, caused by the swelling after surgery. This usually fades over the next six weeks or so.
Resumption of social activities is possible in about two weeks.
You should limit your exercises to stretching, bending, and swimming until your energy level returns.
Please avoid tension on the wound which could worsen scarring.
Resumption of sexual activity should be avoided for a minimum of one week. After that, care must be taken to be extremely gentle with your breasts for at least the next six weeks.
If you have any unusual symptoms, please don't hesitate to contact your surgeon immediately.
Potential Risks & Complications
Our team and our plastic surgeons take every precaution possible to prevent and minimise the risks of surgery. However, much of the responsibility for risk avoidance rests with the patient as well.
Risks of General Anaesthesia
The risks of general anaesthesia include human error, unsuspected inherited hypersensitivity to anaesthetic drugs, accidental overdose of anaesthesia, any undetected airway disconnection or airway blockage. General anaesthesia, which increases the risk of vomiting and impairs protective airway reflexes, can cause aspiration of stomach contents.
Blood Loss
Intra-operative and post-operative blood loss is rare which will require immediate medical attention. Cease taking any anti-coagulants which may include aspirin and aspirin-containing medications, vitamin E, garlic tablets and more. Be sure to disclose each and every medication you may be taking or have taken in the weeks before surgery.
Wound Separation
The separation of the wound edges may be an issue in some cases. Keep the area very clean and contact your surgeon immediately.
Hematoma & Seroma
Any sudden change in contour, or colour should be reported immediately. A hematoma is a collection of clotting or clotted blood in a body cavity which can cause pain, scar tissue, infection and more. A seroma is a collection of the watery portion of the blood in a body cavity. It can also cause pain and scar tissue.
Infection
Infections usually show symptoms within the first few days. Report any redness, severe swelling, discharge, foul smell, severe pain which develops several days after your surgery and does not improve and intense heat of the area and fever over 100.5º F.
Fat & Tissue Necrosis
Necrosis of the breast tissue, breast envelope and or incision line is very rare but there are increased risks in patients with diabetes, compromised wound healing abilities, history of smoking and circulatory problems.
Loss of Sensitivity or Numbness
Loss of sensitivity is common, although temporary. Nerve endings are severed during this surgery, so you must be patient until they regenerate and sensations begin to return. This can take several months, however permanent sensation loss in the areola (nipple) area or breasts, in general, can and may happen.
Scarring
This is perhaps the biggest issue in breast surgery. We try to leave as small as scar as possible however the extent of scarring will depend on the size of your breast, the amount of lift needed and your skin quality. Mastopexy does leave noticeable, permanent scars although they'll be covered by your bra or bathing suit.
Asymmetry
There may be asymmetry. Although your surgeon will attempt to make your breasts as even in volume and height as possible, the body is not made of modelling clay. The body also heals differently from patient to patient.
Nipple Position, Different Size-Areolas
Because the breast is never symmetrical, you will always have one breast that is different from the other. At first this difference will be very noticeable since your breasts are swollen. Once the swelling subsides, then you won’t notice the difference as much but it will always be present (no one has symmetrical breast).
Hyper-pigmentation or Permanent Bruising
Permanent hyper-pigmentation (permanent dark spots) from the bruising are a risk. Hyper-pigmentation should subside in a matter of a few weeks but may stay for longer than expected. Simple applications or warm compresses after you're healed can assist in the dilation of the blood vessels and the desorption of the blood.
Pulmonary Thrombo-Emboli
A thrombo-embolus is a blood clot that can break free and travel to the lungs resulting in pulmonary thrombo-emboli. It can happen within three weeks of the surgery but will most likely show symptoms of shortness of breath and fatigue within the first 72 hours.
General Dissatisfaction
There are risks of the results not living up to what you expected. Scars will be a definite issue and you must take this into account beforehand. They will also appear worse before they get better so prepare yourself.
Patience and scar products can help. Having too much tissue removed may leave you with smaller breasts than you would like. Be sure that you communicate your desired post-operative cup size to your surgeon. Regardless, balance maybe the last thing on your mind before surgery, as long as your back stops hurting and your bras stop digging into your shoulders. Think about the long term.
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