PRE-SURGERY CONSULTATION

Before deciding on a breast augmentation surgery using your own fat, you must meet with our surgeon for a pre-consultation. During this meeting, you will discuss your expectations, and the surgeon will evaluate what will yield the best results for you.

You will also receive a thorough overview of your options, and the risks associated with each surgical option. The surgeon will ask about your health to ensure you are suitable for surgery.

Based on your expectations and the surgeon’s recommendations, you will plan your surgery together. You are welcome to bring another person to the pre-consultation, as there is a lot of information to consider.

According to the law, you must have a 7-day reflection period after the pre-consultation before you can give your final consent to cosmetic surgery.



EXPECTATIONS

With breast augmentation using your own fat at Caolín, the procedure is tailored to your individual shape and desires.
Breast augmentation with your own fat may require 2-3 fat transfers approximately 3 months apart. About 40-50% of the fat will retain after the first treatment. Approximately 150-400 ml of fat can be transferred to each breast per surgery.

The amount that can be transplanted each time depends on your breast and will vary from patient to patient. You can expect to see the result about 3 months after your surgery, but it is not possible to predict exactly how much fat will remain.

It is important to be aware that the results of cosmetic surgery are not permanent. The natural aging process and the rate of body aging are influenced by both genetic factors and lifestyle factors such as smoking, sun exposure, and weight changes.

Additionally, it is important to understand that surgery always carries a risk of complications, and the result may not always match your or the surgeon’s expectations completely. If you are significantly overweight or underweight, there is an increased risk of complications with anesthesia and wound healing. If your BMI is over 30, we may not be able to offer you surgery.



MAMMOGRAPHY

If you are over 40 years old or have a family history of breast cancer, a mammogram is recommended before the surgery.

PREPARATION

Before the surgery, you must:

Stop taking medication containing acetylsalicylic acid such as Magnyl, Aspirin, Ibuprofen, and Treo one week before the surgery.

Avoid natural medicines, especially fish oil, ginger, and vitamin D, as they can increase the risk of bleeding. Stop all natural medicines three weeks before the surgery.

Any blood-thinning medication may need to be paused. This will be discussed with the surgeon during the pre-consultation.

Smoking must be paused least 4 weeks before and 6 weeks after the surgery. Smoking can negatively affect the cosmetic outcome, increase the risk of infection, and is generally bad for your health. We often choose not to offer surgery to active smokers.

It is a good idea to shop and prepare meals before the surgery, so you can focus on your recovery afterward.
On the day of the surgery, you should take a shower with thorough cleansing of your body and hair. Avoid using body lotion or other products on the area to be operated on.

Wear loose, comfortable clothing, preferably a zip-up blouse, loose fitting pants, and flat shoes. Remove all jewelry and any piercings and leave them at home.



ANESTHESIA

The surgery is performed under general anesthesia. You must fast for 6 hours before the surgery (no eating, chewing gum, smoking, or similar). You may drink clear fluids like water and sugary drinks in small amounts until 2 hours before the surgery; do not drink milk, juice, etc.
It is crucial to adhere to the fasting rules, as anesthesia can be dangerous if you are not fasting, and the surgery is canceled, if you are not fasting.

On the day of the surgery, arrive at the clinic at the scheduled time. A nurse will greet you and you will be shown to your room, change clothes, and have an intravenous line placed. The anesthesiologist will discuss the anesthesia with you, and finally, you will meet with the surgeon, who will ensure you feel comfortable and well-informed. The surgeon will also mark the area to be operated on.

The surgery will be performed under general anesthesia and lasts approximately 2-3 hours. The procedure involves liposuction of the agreed areas using a thin cannula. The fat is then cleaned and transplanted into the breast tissue. We use the state-of-the-art injection technique to increase the fraction of retained fat.

Local anesthesia is also applied to reduce pain and discomfort and minimize the risk of bleeding. The holes through which the fat is suctioned and injected are closed with fine dissolvable sutures, and dressings are applied, along with an additional absorbing bandage, as discharge from the small wounds may occur.

Finally, you will be fitted with a compression bandage on the liposuctioned area and a soft bra on the breasts.



AFTER THE SURGERY

After the surgery, you will be taken to the recovery room, where the nurse will observe you. You should lie on your back to avoid pressure on the breasts. You will receive something to drink and eat and pain reliefers if needed. Depending on the extent of the surgery, you may be discharged after a few hours.

Before you go home, the plastic surgeon and nurse will review the post-operative precautions with you and answer any questions you may have to ensure you feel comfortable. You should arrange for someone to pick you up, as you will not be able to drive yourself.

THE DAYS AFTER THE SURGERY

Since the surgery was performed under general anesthesia, you will be tired and sluggish on the first day, and you may experience nausea and dizziness. We recommend having an adult at your side for the first 24 hours.

It is important to take it easy for the first days after the surgery and generally listen to your body’s signals to reduce the risk of bleeding and swelling. Make sure to stay well-hydrated and consume a sensible protein-rich diet.



PAIN

You can expect pain and tenderness for a few weeks after the surgery. Bruising and swelling around the liposuctioned areas are also to be expected. This will subside within 2-3 weeks.
It is important to take the prescribed medication. The medication will reduce pain, but you should expect some discomfort during the first 3-4 days.

Many people experience stabbing and sharp pain in the operated area. This is normal and occurs because the nerves are re-establishing connections. These sensations can last for up to 1 year after the surgery.

You will be prescribed Paracetamol tablets and Ibuprofen tablets to be taken together 4 times a day. Additionally, you will receive a stronger painkiller, a synthetic morphine tablet, which you can take if you experience severe pain.

The nurse will thoroughly review the medication with you before you leave, and you will also receive written material describing everything.



ACTIVITY

In the initial days after the surgery, getting out of bed might be difficult, so having someone to assist you is a good idea. It is important to get up and move around quickly to reduce the risk of blood clots. Engage in light activity, such as short walks, but take breaks when needed. For the first 1-2 weeks, avoid any strain on the wounds.

You must avoid vigorous exercise for the first 2 weeks after the surgery, but it is important to keep your body active with light activities, like short walks.

You must avoid driving until you can handle the vehicle safely and no longer need strong painkillers. Always use a seatbelt, whether you are driving or a passenger.



WORK

You can resume sedentary work after 1 week. For physically demanding work, you should wait 2-4 weeks before returning.



SLEEPING POSITION

We recommend lying on your back for about 4 weeks after the surgery to avoid pressure on the breasts. You may lie slightly on your side, possibly with a pillow behind one shoulder for support.



BATHING

You can take a shower 24 hours after the surgery or when there is no longer any discharge from the wounds (unless you have drains). Before showering, remove the compressive bandage and the absorbing dressing. The brown plaster must remain until your follow-up appointment. It can withstand water.

Take a gentle shower, rinse the wounds to wash away soap residues (do not wash or scrub the wounds), and pat dry with a clean towel before putting the compressive bandage back on.



WOUND DISCHARGE

Discharge from the wounds may occur. This is due to the fluid used during the surgery and is completely normal and normally lasts a few days. You will receive an absorbing dressing from the clinic to manage this.



BRA AND BANDAGE

You will receive a soft bra after the surgery, which you must wear for the first 4 weeks. It is important that there is no pressure on the area.

You will also be given a tight compression bandage for the liposuctioned areas, which you must wear around the clock for the first 3 weeks, and then during the day for an additional 3 weeks. This helps to reduce swelling and unevenness.

You must remove the bandage when you bathe or if it needs washing. You may purchase an extra bandage from the clinic if you want more to alternate between.



SCARS

The scars from the surgery will typically be red and swollen but will improve over 6-24 months. Over time, scars usually become narrow and lighter I color, but in some cases, they may become wide and darkly pigmented.

You may apply a soothing cream to the scars once they are completely healed. Avoid smoking, as it increases the risk of infection, slow healing, and unsightly scars.



CONTACT WITH THE CLINIC

You will be given a phone number upon discharge so you can contact the clinic 24 hours a day in case of any urgent needs. The day after your surgery, a nurse will call to ensure you are well and answer any questions you might have.



FOLLOW-UP

After 7-9 days, you will have a follow-up appointment with the nurse. The dressings will be removed, and the wounds will be checked. New tape will be applied and given to you, which you should change yourself every 10-12 days for about 3 months after the surgery. The tape helps to keep the scars narrow, flat, and level with the rest of the skin.

We will discuss how to care for the scars, any potential pain, etc. You will be offered a follow-up appointment with the plastic surgeon 3-6 months after the surgery. If you encounter any issues before then, you are always welcome to contact us.

COMPLICATIONS

Unsightly Scar Formation: Thickened or widened scars can occur. Scar formation is individual, and it cannot be predicted how each person will form scars. Initially, most scars will be noticeable and red but will fade and become nice and white over time. Some people tend to develop red and thick scars, also known as hypertrophic scarring. The scar maturation process can take several years for some patients.

Infection: This is very rare. Symptoms of infection typically include redness, swelling, throbbing pain, and fever, usually appearing after about a week.

Hematoma: In rare cases (under 1%), bleeding may occur after the surgery. In a few cases, a new surgery may be required, but it is unlikely to affect the result.

Fluid Accumulation: In a few cases, fluid accumulation can occur in the operated area. If this happens, it may be necessary to drain the fluid with a thin needle. To prevent this, it is important to use the compression bandage.

Asymmetry and Unevenness: Asymmetry is naturally present in many women, and although it can be evened out with this type of surgery, there is a risk of uneven results. Unevenness is often seen in the skin after liposuction. This usually evens out within 6-9 months after the surgery, but it can be permanent.

Sensory Disturbance: This may occur in the liposuctioned area and typically resolves after 3-6 months.

Blood Clots: There is always an increased risk of blood clots associated with surgery. This risk is higher if you are on birth control pills, over 40 years old, have a BMI over 25, or have a genetic risk factor (e.g., Factor V Leiden mutation).

Fat Embolism: This is a fat blood clot that can occur if fat is mistakenly injected into a blood vessel. This is very rare but can be fatal in extreme cases.