Explore Plastic Surgery

Return to Normal Quickly after Breast Augmentation – Dr Eppley’s Approach in Indianapolis

Breast augmentation is both a popular and highly successful procedure that is done over 300,000 times per year in the United States alone. Some women, however, fear the procedure due to the belief that there is a lot of pain after surgery and that their return to work or normal activities may take several weeks. Breast augmentation surgery today, however, can put the patient back to a near normal schedule within days.

Breast augmentation, from a simplistic standpoint, is really a big ‘pulled muscle’. In this
case, the pectoralis muscle on the chest is ‘pulled’. Breast augmentation, in most cases, is the lifting up of this muscle and placing an implant partially underneath it. No breast implant is completely under the muscle or it would be positioned too high and the nipple would be pointing downward. As the pocket into which a breast implant is placed controls the final shape of the breast, recovery after breast augmentation is really muscular. From a physical therapy standpoint, how do you recover from a pulled muscle? Do you not move it…or bind it up and keep it from moving? The answer is…..use it! Early moving and stretching of an injured muscle is the key to a faster recovery after breast augmentation. You can’t hurt the breast implant by using your arm and chest muscles and early movement will not be responsible for an implant ‘getting out of position’.

In Indianapolis, the approach to a no recovery breast augmentation program begins in the operating room. A dose of steroids is given at the start of surgery and a bioelectric device, known as Actipatch, is placed over each breast before the patient leaves the operating room. This device, which is worn for 48 hours after surgery, helps control pain and swelling. I then start my breast augmentation patients on range of motion arm exercises beginning the night of surgery as well as 800mg of Ibuprofen also. The goal is to get patients off narcotic pain medication in 24 hours, if possible, and be able to get out of the house for dinner or shopping the next day. While not every patient achieves this exact timeline for a ‘no recovery’, this approach helps make a breast augmentation easier to go through than ever before.

Dr Barry Eppley
http://www.eppleyplasticsurgery.com
http://www.ologyspa.com
Clarian North Medical Center, Carmel, Indiana
Clarian West Medical Center, Avon, Indiana
Indianapolis

Steps to Having a Successful Recovery after Plastic Surgery

While the plastic surgeon is responsible for performing a good operation, the patient must also participate in their surgery. And laying on the operating table asleep does not constitute what I mean by participation! Here are some essential things that a patient must do to have a comfortable and rapid recovery after their plastic surgery procedure.

PreSurgical Education

Studies have shown that informed patients feel less anxiety before and after surgery. Take the time to research the procedure you are having via books or the internet. Make sure you understand the procedure you are having and don’t be afraid to ask questions prior to surgery such as: What type of anesthesia will be used ? How long with the
procedure take? What medications will I take? When can I start doing normal activities? When can I shower and apply makeup?

Medications, Smoking and Supplements

Discontinue use of any nicotine products at least 2 weeks prior to surgery. This includes cigarettes, cigars, nicotine gum, and patches. Nicotine reduces the blood flow to the skin and may impair healing; and quitting smoking drastically improves the body’s response to surgery.

Stop using medications containing aspirin and ibuprofen two weeks prior to surgery. Aspirin thins the blood and can produce excess bleeding and bruising. Be sure to read the labels of any over-the-counter remedies you regularly take as many common medications contain aspirin. For the same reason, also avoid: Vitamin E and herbal supplements, herbal teas, and red wine.

Begin using an ARNICA supplement 7 days prior to surgery and continue for one week after surgery. Arnica is a naturopathic remedy that helps prevent as well as clear bruising. You should also consider adding Vitamin K to your diet. This fat-soluble vitamin plays an important role in blood clotting and can be found in such foods as spinach, broccoli, and kiwi.

Plan for Success

During your recovery, you want to be as relaxed and comfortable as possible. By planning in advance, you can set yourself up for a worry-free time when your body can completely concentrate on recuperation.

· Plan your wardrobe for the day of surgery and the week following. Loose-fitting clothing that can be unbuttoned or unzipped down the front is best.
· Designate an area in your home for yourself – such as a quiet bedroom or sofa away from busy family activities
· Even if you are having a minor procedure, you will still need a minimum of 24 hours to recover from anesthesia, and will not be up to handling responsibilities by yourself. If you do not have a friend or family member to care for you the night of surgery, a private suite at Clarian or Meridian Surgery Center can be arranged for you at a modest charge,
· Get all your prescriptions filled prior to your surgery
· Plan your meals for the week after surgery and make the necessary trip to the grocery store
· Arrange for child care
· Rest and sleep, combined with small meals and plenty of fluids, are key to a quick and comfortable recovery.
· Avoid excessive sun exposure for at least two weeks after most surgeries.
· Be patient. Everything (swelling going done, bruising going away, etc.) takes longer than almost every patient expects or wants.

The number one cause of postoperative pain and complications is ‘overdoing’ it after surgery. With proper planning and arrangements, this can be avoided and a smoother recovery will occur.

Dr Barry Eppley
http://www.eppleyplasticsurgery.com
http://www.ologyspa.com
Clarian North Medical Center, Carmel, Indiana
Clarian West Medical Center, Avon, Indiana
Indianapolis

Advanced Bio-Electric Healing Technology

What can I do, as a plastic surgeon, to help my patients recover faster? What can I do to help their swelling, bruising, and pain be less? We use all of the traditional therapies of cold compresses, arnica tablets and gel, elevation of the surgical area, and pain medications. But I have recently added a new option, offering advanced bio-electric therapy (ActiPatch) to help my patients heal better after surgery.

ActiPatch delivers the same pulsed electromagnetic therapy, used by physicians, therapists, and athletic trainers worldwide to reduce pain and swelling and accelerate healing. The traditional clinical treatments of bio-electrics is expensive and inconvenient for most patients. Now, through microchip technology, this home-based therapy is available in a convenient, easy to use, low-cost patch. Applied right after surgery, and used for the first week after surgery, ActiPatch works by driving out the swelling and negative by-products from the damaged tissues. With less swelling, a decrease in pain occurs.

ActiPatch is a wearable technology, is flexible, light weight, and easy to apply and use. Once activated, ActiPatch begins pulsing a continuous low level current to energize damaged cells in the surgical region, helping remove the effects of surgery so you can feel better and look better faster!

ActiPatch has been shown to be effective in reducing pain in breast augmentation, abdominoplasty, blepharoplasty (eyelid), nose and facelift surgeries.

Dr Barry Eppley
www.eppleyplasticsurgery.coom
www.ologyspa.com
Clarian North Medical Center, Carmel, Indiana
Clarian West Medical Center, Avon, Indiana
Indianapolis

Reduce Bruising after Surgery!

Used for centuries in Europe to treat swelling, soreness, and bruising, Arnica Montana (extract of the dried root and flower of the arnica plant and also known as leopard’s bane) can be used either by tablet or applied as a topical gel. I particularly like its oral form and have all of my patients take it sublingually (under the tongue) starting one week before and then one week after surgery as well. Patients should take 4 tablets under the tongue four times a day. The pills are very small and have no real taste to them so they are not unpleasant to take.

This homeopathic remedy is believed to have anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties and stimulates white blood cells to aid healing by eliminating excess fluid from the surgical area. To me, the more impressive property is its effect on decreasing bruising. Having used it in patients for years, there is no question that it decreases the amount of bruising that occurs after surgery as well as helps clear bruising that does occur faster. My patients frequently comment on how effective it has been for them. I have no hard scientific evidence that quantifies exactly how much it prevents bruising or how much better it clears bruising but my feeling is about 25 – 33% prevention and about 50% prevention.

Arnica is of particular value in all facial plastic surgery such as rhinoplasty, blepharoplasty, and facelifts as well as liposuction body surgery. It is very inexpensive (less than $40 for 100 tablets) and has no real side effects so there is no reason not for the patient to take it. We keep a stock in the office so patients have easy access to it.

Dr Barry Eppley
www.eppleyplasticsurgery.com
www.ologyspa.com
Clarian North Medical Center, Carmel, Indiana
Clarian West Medical Center, Avon, Indiana
Indianapolis