Any pre BA advice??

Hey girlies

Just wondered if there is anything I can do in the month leading up to surgery to help things along - bio oil and massage have been suggested but I don't really understand what I'm meant to do with either!!! I've ordered some bio-oil though, I know this is good for after surgery?

All suggestions greatfully appreciated xX

Bio oil leading up to ba is meant to help with the skin elasticity and suppleness and. Condition so prepping it as it were. Though not to be used the day before surgery as skin needs to be completely natural.

Post ba again used for scar tissue and the condition of your boobs, however the all clear needs to be given to get the go ahead for doing this. This can be anywhere between 6-12 weeks post op. as no foreign body , creams, lotions etc. can be put near your scars due to risk of infection. 
X

Oh and no talk g any supplements or vitamins 2weeks pre and post op. 

X

Hi sassy, I asked my surgeon about this and he said I need do nothing at all but 2 weeks before I put bio oil on to get the skin moisturised, as it can't hurt and if might prevent stretch marks. I used with both pregnancies and didn't get any stretch marks on my stomach where I used it!

In terms of massaging I have no idea! Xxx

Okydokes well the bio oil is ordered so I guess the very action of putting that on is massaging, and anything I can do to avoid stretch marks can only be a good thing!

Why no supplements Mrsb?!! Xx

Get get some bra extenders, so that u don't buy a sports bra with a band that's too big!
I didn't and bought a 36 dd band and it rubbed me raw.
I was in more pain from the chaffage around and under my arms than the actual incisions.
Be patient with yourself, their not gonna be perfect for a while and immediately after u might not feel they are exactly what u wanted to big/small/pointed/high but they are gonna change a lot.
And enjoy the lead up, it's the most exciting bit lol xxxx

also cotton wool pads are really helpful in case your bra is putting pressure on you in places while you are still swollen. and buy all the usual stuff like a v pillow, ice packs, paracetamol, easy to wear wide clothes (button/zip up is good while you can't move your arms too much)

make sure your house is prepped with a good clean as you won't be able to do this for a while afterwards, and everything you need is reachable. 

it helps training your stomach muscles up as well as these will be invaluable getting you up out of bed while you can't use your arms!

and then of course everything that was said above, and ENJOY the countdown! :)

No supplements and vitamins and fish oils because of recovery , surgery , healing and to do with the effect they have on your blood clotting etc. 

X

Preparation is key to a better recovery babe.

As all as all the things above, make sure you pay any bills that need sorting and post any letters that need mailing and do enough shopping to get through a couple of weeks. The last thing you'll be wanting is to be sat worrying about things you could have done pre-op.

Sort out your clothing. For the first week at least you're going to want to be wearing lounge wear, so bottom half anything that's easy to get on and off. You may have a Buddah belly for a while after surgery, so the thought of having to pull your jeans together to button them up with arms as weak as anything just ain't gonna happen, so track pants, PJ bottoms, anything like that that you can just pull up. Top half, you're going to be wanting anything that zips or buttons up. Nothing that is going to have to go overhead at all. Onesies too are great and very comfy. If you don't have anything like this, then Primark is cheap n cheerful. Just buy two of each, so you have one to wear, one in the wash and can stay comfortable. If you have clothes like this already then make sure they're ready for you and within reach. No stretching at all.

Food: if you cook, then maybe making larger meals now would be great. You can freeze meals so all you have to do is either microwave it or put it in a pan to warm through.

If you don't cook, then maybe get some microwave dinners in. I know theyre not nice, but if you're hungry,the last thing you'll want to do is cook, so a micro meal will then feel delicious I can tell you you.

If you're living with parents however or you have someone there looking after you to this for you then its all OK and you've no worries there.

It can get very boring sat on your backside doing nothing so prepare some entertainment. Download yourself some books or go the library. Get yourself some DVDs in to watch, reared yourself some series or films on sky. You really will want things to hand that you can focus on rather than any discomfort you might have.

Think about things you may need post-op and ensure they're all within reach for yourself. Its the little things you need to think about that will make things so much easier for you if you're going to be left alone for periods of the day such as the milk carton. It sounds mad now but you won't be able to pick up a large milk carton, so if you have a small milk jug, sort that out for you to be able to use. You'll need someone to pour the milk in there for you then you're good to pick up the small milk jug yourself then. Warn people now that the kettle too is something to consider. Filling it up is just going to make it impossible for you to lift, so always just half full. I actually invested in one of those kettles you don't have to pick up at all, you just place your cup underneath and you get the hot water.

Its the smallest of things to think about.

If you don't have a hot water bottle in too then you'll want one of these for your back. Your back can hurt from sleeping propped up and this can ease it. Xx

If you smoke , stop, cut down and stop alcohol , if you have a dog that needs walking get someone to walk it for you post op. I was told no garlic the week before as thins the blood. I took arnica a week before surgery on the nurses advice, but I don't bruise easily anyway , but I only had a tiny black bruise after surgery( get them from boots). Take all the other advice, wish I had been more prepared on the food front, we had a few take aways.. Not good for the post op bloating. Good luck xxx

Blimey! I'm gonna print this thread out end of the month to get prepared. My bf is off the first week so he's promised to look after me......although I do wonder how long the novelty of new boobs he can't touch will keep him able and willing to run after me. Urgh. He's a good cook and well trained cleaning wise..... I'll just make sure I've done all the washing! 

Best add a good core work out to my normal gym routine starting today! I don't smoke anymore but I do enjoy a glass of wine or 3. I guess just the week before the surgery to refrain to stop the blood thinning.

Thanks girls, tons I wouldn't have thought of xxx

My advice would be to be as fit and healthy as you can, your recovery will be so much quicker.

It's 2 weeks before surgery you can't drink alcohol. Also, no vitamins 2 weeks pre-op, and stop the pill if you take it x

I started taking vitamin e its ment to be good for preventing cc.shud I stop taking it until after my 2nd ba? Xx

there are different opinions on whether or not to stop taking the pill.
my surgeon said as i was having a straightforward BA and was completely healthy there was absolutely no need to stop taking it. he is the expert so i trusted him. having to stop taking the pill would have been sooo much hassle to me, so i was very glad when he said i didnt need to. 
i didnt have any problems whatsoever and had an easy recovery.

however my pre op notes also said that the clinic would advise stop taking the pill only with more invasive procedures.

but always best to discuss this with YOUR surgeon hun, there is no blanket rule for this x