FAQ: Mastopexy

The surgery should place the breasts and the nipple areolar position in a more normal position.

The risks and complications are similar to other aesthetic surgery. They include local such as hypertrophic scar and or keloid, asymmetry, skin ischemia and loss and hematoma this is more common in smoker. The systemic complications include blood clot and PE and other anesthesia risks. In healthy patients in the hands of board certified Plastic Surgeons, the complication rates are in fact not very high.

Surgery is really the only effective treatment if you have moderate to severe breast ptosis.

If the ptosis is minimal and only secondary to decrease in volume, breast augmentation may help to restore the volume.

Once skin is removed and the position of breasts and nipples have been restore, the breasts should improve for a long time as you as you do not significant weight gain or loss. Also if the breasts are excessive large, the weight of your breasts can accelerate breast ptosis.

You can certainly see pre and postoperative pictures in my office as well as on my website.

Yes, this is found on my website or through consultation.

If you have lost a lot of volume of your breasts and or you like to increase the size of your breasts, then you may want to have augmentation with implants at the same time.

You can contact my office for an estimate cost. The actual cost will be discussed with you during the initial consultation after understanding your goal and after examination to decide the type of correction you need.

You should have improved correction of your breast position, projection and nipple areolar position.

You will have compression dressing during your first 24 hours after surgery.

The swelling should settle within a few weeks.

In general the breasts should feel fairly normal within a few weeks to few months.

Most of our patients can breastfeed normally after surgery.

Pain is usually very minimal after surgery. My patients usually do not need to take any narcotic after 72 hours.

You will discuss postoperative pain control with Dr. Hong at your pre-operative appointment and receive a prescription.

I do not use any tubes, drains or catheters.

You should use a nice supporting bra after surgery.

You will have scar around your areola and also a vertical scar at the inferior pole of your breasts. For most patients the scar is too noticeable after a few months.

The surgery is an outpatient surgery done in my own surgery center.

You can resume essentially all normal daily activities after 48 hours.

You may drive once you stop taking narcotic pain medication and feel able to drive.

You can usually return to work less than a week. If your job is very physical than it may take a little longer.

I usually like the procedure to be done under general anesthesia.

You will meet with the anesthesiologist prior to the surgery in the preoperative area. You may arrange to speak to an anesthesiologist by telephone prior to your surgery date.

Yes, your medications will be reviewed prior to your procedure.

When your medications are reviewed, the medications that need to be stopped will brought to your attention.

History and physical, EKG, CBC, and metabolic panel for patients over 55 years of age. Thyroid panel for patients with thyroid disorders.

Stop eating and drinking at least 6 hours before the start of your surgery or by midnight the night before surgery.

Yes, you should shower before/night of the surgery to help keep the area clean and help reduce the risk of possible infections or contamination.

You can get the information on our website or call my office for direction.

Yes. You will need an adult to drive you home and stay with you 24 hours after surgery.

• Arrange for personal items you might need during your hospital stay

   

• Arrange for someone to take care of responsibilities at home and work
  Please arrange for help driving, heavy lifting, and caring for pets for the first few days.
• You will need an adult to drive you home and stay with you 24 hours after surgery.
• Call your doctor if you think of other questions
  You can call my office if you have any other questions.
• Notify your doctor if you get sick within 10 days of your surgery (even minor illnesses like a cold)
• Stop eating and/or drinking as advised by your doctor
• Do not drink alcohol 24 hours prior to surgery. Do not smoke at least 6 weeks prior to surgery.
• Make sure you have the doctor’s contact information
  Make sure you have directions to the hospital/office for visitors
• Wear a button-front shirt and loose clothing to the clinic/hospital. Wear easy to dress clothing such as loose pants with an elastic waistband and a comfortable shirt with a zip up front.

The surgery can take 1-2 hours.

Usually in the recovery room, within an hour of your surgery ending.

Usually in the recovery room, once you are awake.

You will receive IV antibiotic immediately prior to surgery start and additional doses if needed in the recovery room. The antibiotic dosing follows the national surgical site infection protocol.

• Make sure your identity has been confirmed with name and date of birth
  Your driver’s license or identity such as OHIP number will need to be verified at your appointment and at the surgery center.
• Make sure your procedure has been confirmed. Review the surgery specifics at your preoperative appointment and again the day of surgery.
• Make sure the correct site of your surgery has been marked
• Confirm any allergies and side-effects you might have
• Make sure you understand and have signed the informed consent forms
  Please also ask any questions if you need them to be clarifying.

I usually talk to you in the recovery room as well as with one to two days after surgery in your postoperative visit to explain how your surgery went.

The antibiotics are stopped within 48 hours of surgery.

Discuss with your surgeon.

For the majority of mastopexy patients, no drains or tubes are necessary.

You may eat and drink after surgery as soon as you feel well and not nauseated. Start with a soft, bland diet.

You may be released once you have met all the discharge criteria.

You need to have instructions reviewed with a responsible adult and meet all discharge criteria.

You will receive narcotic pain pill prescription to fill prior to surgery. You may receive IV pain medication if you need.

Tell the doctor or nurse which pharmacy you prefer. Non-narcotic medications such as Compazine may be sent electronically but narcotic pain medications must be printed and hand delivered to the pharmacy.

Yes, you will receive a list of medications to avoid prior to surgery and initially after surgery. Do not take NSAIDS, ibuprofen, or aspirin until your doctor approves.

Yes, the postoperative instructions will be reviewed at your preoperative appointment. After the initial bandage is removed, apply polysporin or vitamin E to your incisions twice daily.

You should remove the bandage dressing after 24 hours and after the removal of the dressing, it is encouraged that you start on stretching exercises.

You will follow up a day or two after surgery. Following this weekly appointment until you are fully recovered.

Your bandages will be removed at your first follow-up appointment.

The sutures will be removed 5 days post-operatively.

It is recommended that patients remain braless during the recovery process and if the patient wishes to wear a bra, they must make sure that the breast does not feel too tight.

You should avoid bending over or heavy lifting for two weeks.

You may resume sexual activity at two to three weeks.

In general, you should not drive the first 48 hours after surgery. Also if you are taking heavy necrotic, one should not be driving. Most of my clients are usually driving after 3 to 4 days.

For most clients, you may return to work after one week. If you need to do heavy lifting the time requirement may be longer.

• Make sure your care providers wash their hands before and after your care
• Do not wait until your pain is severe before you ask for pain medication
• Make sure the call button is within reach before medical staff leave the room
• Sit on the edge of the bed for a few minutes before you stand up to prevent getting dizzy

Do not get out of bed without help if you feel weak or dizzy
Yes. If you cannot reach the doctor immediately, call 911.

• You have a fever higher than 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit
• You have shortness of breath or chest pain
• You notice increased redness, swelling, warmth, or pain around your surgical incision
• You notice that your incision is separating or you have infected discharge from your incision
• Your bandages are repeatedly soaked with blood
• You have pain that your existing pain medications cannot control

• Take pain and other medications as prescribed
• Do not drive when you are on prescription pain medications
• Do not soak in a bath or go swimming for ten days after your surgery
• Keep your incisions clean and dry
• Wear a special supportive bra as long as advised by your doctor
• Avoid strenuous exercise and heavy lifting as long as your doctor advises
• You may resume most daily activities within a week from surgery. You should avoid heavy lifting or things that can elevate your blood pressure.
• Follow your doctor’s instructions on resuming normal daily activities
• Follow your doctor’s instructions on resuming sexual activity