How to prepare for breast reconstruction surgery in Dubai

Breast Reconstruction surgery in Dubai is a long procedure that requires extreme patience and courage to achieve long lasting results. Patients that have undergone the mastectomy or lumpectomy are 70% likely to undergo the breast reconstruction surgery after the treatment. There are several things that should be kept in mind before undergoing the breast reconstruction surgery as immediately after the surgery, you will not be able to move yourself anywhere so it is important to be prepared ahead of the breast reconstruction procedure.

Breast Reconstruction choice

There are two breast reconstruction surgery procedures and it is important for patient and surgeon to know which one suits the most and is appropriate for the patient. First procedure is known as implant based breast reconstruction and deals with breast surgery by placing silicone gel or saline water bags inside the breast tissue to form a new breast whereas second procedure is dedicated to use body’s own skin fats to make a new breast for natural feel and enhanced shape. Reconstruction procedure that uses body’s own skin is known as FLAP based reconstruction procedure whereas the procedure that uses saline bags is known as implant based reconstruction.  

Breast reconstruction procedure using body’s own skin can only be applied to the people who have excessive fat deposits in their thighs, abdomen, back of body or from your buttocks. There are several variations to the autolongous reconstruction as well.

The surgeon will recommend the breast reconstruction procedure after examining your body and following characteristics of your body will be checked before choosing the breast reconstruction procedure appropriate for the patient such as

• Body type
• Breast Size
• Shape required
• Future plans about pregnancy.

Nipple Choice

Mastectomy/lumpectomy also removes your nipple and in breast reconstruction procedure you can easily get your breasts nipples back. There are several choices for breast nipples that are available and the surgery can be performed right after the breast reconstruction surgery to give you a complete makeover for your breasts.  Nipple reconstruction can be done using body’s own tissues or your other nipple can be used. As easier alternative, you can get nipple tattoo to get natural feel without undergoing extra surgery procedure.

Preparing

You can start preparing for the procedure by meeting your surgeon for the consultation for the breast reconstruction procedure and discuss which breast reconstruction procedure is most appropriate for you. You may undergo the pre-op medical examination so that surgeon can give you tips for personalized care based on your body type.  First step of the preparation for breast reconstruction procedure is as under

• The surgeon will describe you the whole breast reconstruction procedure and will guide you on how the procedure will be performed, what procedure is better for you and how will you be able to recover after the surgery.

• You will be asked to stop smoking, taking drugs and stop blood thinning medicines. Smoking is the most destructive thing in the breast reconstruction and most of the surgeons don’t perform operations on the smokers because they have higher risks of failed recoveries and breast reconstruction failures.

• After the meeting with surgeon, the nurse will contact you and take details about your medical history to prepare for more personalized experience.

• You will not be allowed to lift any heavy objects before and after the surgery 3-5 weeks duration. Diet plan and meals preparation for surgery and post surgery period is also included in preparation for breast surgery period.

• You will be required to make arraignments at your home for post surgery period as after surgery you will not be allowed to move anywhere in first week after the surgery. You should also prepare for surgery by choosing the belongings that will keep you occupied after the surgery in the hospital.

• Your home should be ready for breast reconstruction patient and everything including meals, diet plan and clothes should be in place so that you don’t have to struggle to search for them after the procedure.   

• You are expected to clear up your bills and all related chores before the surgery day as the stay in hospital can be of two-seven days based on your breast reconstruction procedure type and also after coming back home, you will not be able to do your chores for three weeks.

Night before surgery

Just on the night before the breast reconstruction, you will not be allowed to intake any food or any kind of beverage however; you will be allowed to take clear liquids such as Water, Clear Tea, Black Coffee, Apple juice, Popsicle and clear carbonated drinks. Chewing gums or even candies aren’t even allowed. Medicines that are prescribed by surgeon should not be taken with anything other than water.

Surgery day

You will be required to go to hospital three hours ahead of your surgery and final examination will be done on your body before submitting you in OT for the breast reconstruction procedure. General Aesthetics will be applied on your body so that you won’t feel any pain during the treatment.

After Surgery

You will be kept in ICU for three hours after the breast reconstruction and after that you will be shifted to the monitoring unit for rest of the night. Surgeon will examine your body for changes after the breast surgery and after that you will be kept in room under care of nurses and will be frequently checked for changes inside your body. After two to seven days depending upon type of the breast reconstruction procedure you’ve received you will be shifted home and post medical care and medicines will be prescribed to you.