PREPARING FOR YOUR SURGERY
You will be given specific instructions on how to prepare for surgery, including guidelines on eating and drinking, smoking and taking or avoiding certain vitamins and medicines.
If you smoke, plan to quit at least two weeks prior to the surgery and not resume smoking for at least two weeks after your surgery. Avoid overexposure to the sun before the surgery, especially on the abdomen, and do not go on astringent diet, as both can inhibit your ability to heal. If you develop a cold or infection of any kind, it is important to inform the surgeon, as your surgery may need to be postponed.
You will need to arrange for someone to collect you after your surgery, as you will be unable to drive. It is also advisable to have someone to stay with you for a few days to help you out, if needed.
BEFORE YOUR PROCEDURE
It is a requirement under the Human Tissue Act 2004, that all patients wishing to have their fat stored have a detailed blood test prior to the procedure. This blood test must include the standard profile of a Full Blood Count, Biochemistry Profile, ESR & INR together with the legislation requirements of; HIV 1& 2, Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C & Syphilis. Each patient will be asked to sign a consent form for this test to be completed.
As every patient and surgeon has a different view of what is a desirable size, position and shape breast, it is important that you discuss your expectations with the surgeon at the time of the consultation. It is important to note that in the case of breasts with fat, it is only possible to increase your volume by 1 cup size. If you wish to increase more, you may have to still consider breast implants or a combination of both.
In the week before, you should not take any medications containing aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid), since these products affect the blood clotting mechanism and therefore may lead to excessive bleeding during and after surgery, hence resulting in increased bruising. Taking high doses of vitamin E preparations, eating large amounts of garlic and consuming alcohol can also produce the same result and should be avoided. If pain medication is necessary, we recommend you take ibuprofen/paracetamol.
It is in your own best interests to quit smoking, at least two weeks before and 2 weeks after surgery. It is well known that smoking causes narrowing of the blood vessels, which leads to a decreased blood supply to the skin, thus slowing and interfering with the healing process.
Be sure to inform your surgeon of any medications you take, as well as possible allergies including (drug, latex, plasters and so on). Your surgeon will decide whether preliminary examinations are necessary, such as blood tests, an electrocardiogram, or x-rays of the lungs. If this is the case, these tests should be performed several weeks before the surgery.
YOUR FAT HARVEST PROCEDURE
This procedure is performed either under local anaesthesia or light sedation. Sedation is a state in which you will be unaware of what is going on and pain-free, however, this is not a general anaesthetic so you will not be “put to sleep”. If you are having the procedure under sedation, you must arrange for someone to come and collect you and stay with you overnight.