Planning for breast reconstruction surgery, from choosing a surgeon to preparing your house for your recovery, is crucial to ensuring a smooth recovery process and giving you the confidence to make the right choices for your health. When you talk to your best East Windsor, NJ breast reconstructive surgeon, be certain that they will hear your worries and anxieties. They want you to feel at ease and confident before, during, and after breast surgery by giving you the finest care possible. You will need to do several things to be ready for breast reconstruction surgery. Following are some guidelines that should help you feel more at ease before your operation.
Exercise
The weeks and months leading up to surgery: Get in shape the right way – Moderately exercising, preferably by walking several times a week, is recommended. Do not start any new physically demanding activities that might cause you to hurt your shoulders, back, pectoral muscles, arms, or upper body. Walking, running, or swimming and minimal strength training multiple times a week may help decrease stress, activate “anabolic” physiology with accelerated metabolism, and boost the postoperative healing experience.
Know how much your surgery will cost
Reconstruction after mastectomy is often fully or partially covered by health insurance, whereas reconstruction following breast-conserving surgery is not usually covered (lumpectomy or partial mastectomy). Verify your insurance coverage and determine what percentage of the cost you will be responsible for paying. Check whether there are restrictions on the rebuilding methods that are paid for.
Make sure that your insurance will cover the expenses of breast reconstruction before undergoing surgery. If your insurance company is refusing to pay for surgery, your surgeon may be able to assist you in appealing the decision.
Find a reliable surgeon
One cannot assume that all surgeons are equally skilled and experienced. Identify the finest breast reconstruction surgeon for your needs by reading reviews and consulting with loved ones before deciding to have surgery. Online, you may read about patients’ experiences with most healthcare providers. When considering a mastectomy and breast reconstruction, it is important to hear what other women say about their chosen physician. Their suggestions may point you in the direction of the most qualified surgeon.
Make sure the surgeon has a good reputation, is board-certified, and has a valid license. Direct-to-implant breast reconstruction is only one kind of breast reconstruction surgery that various surgeons like to focus on. It would help if you inquired about the surgeon’s success rate and level of expertise in the intended treatment during your consultation. Asking about the surgeon’s credentials and experience is likewise acceptable.
Do not use certain drugs or supplements
Two weeks before surgery, you should stop taking any products containing aspirin, NSAIDs (such as ibuprofen), fish oil, or vitamin E supplements. Some of these drugs might increase the risk of bleeding during and after surgery. Tell your plastic surgeon if you consistently use any of these products. At the pre-op visit, tell the doctor about any additional drugs or supplements you take.
Cut off nicotine
Nicotine, in any form (including secondhand smoking), should be avoided at all costs. Using any form of nicotine, including vaporization, in the weeks following surgery is detrimental to your health and recovery. In addition to lowering your disease resistance, nicotine also narrows blood vessels. It leads to compromised or dead tissue along incision lines and raises the probability of infection.
Knowledge is power because it enables greater preparation. So please don’t hesitate to contact a surgeon if you have any questions concerning breast reconstruction.
