Preparing for Explant 1

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PREPARING FOR EXPLANT SURGERY Finding the right surgeon: Questions to ask Ask if s(he) is familiar with 'the en bloc procedure' for removing implants, and will be doing this for you. If not, then ask if (s)he will be doing a total capsulectomy. For a proper explant, either an en bloc removal or a total capsulectomy is required. If they do not agree to either of these, then this doctor is not for you. (NOTE: Not even a partial capsulectomy is acceptable. They must commit to a TOTAL capsulectomy.)Ask how many procedures of this nature s(he) has performed, and when the lastone was performed. (Ideally, they should have done a large number and recently.)Have the plastic surgeon explain, step-by-step, how the procedure will takeplace. Begin with how you will be "prepped." for surgery. Ask if it would be possible for you to view some "before and after" photos ofexplantation surgeries s(he) has performed. If the plastic surgeon did not mention drains in the explanation of how theprocedure will be done, ask if s(he) will use drains to prevent accumulationof fluid and infection. Ask how long the surgery will take. (A proper explant will take longer than an hour, and up to 4 or more hours.)Ask how long initial recovery will take. Ask the length of time it will beuntil you are able to function independently at home. Find out how long youwill need someone to stay with you after surgery. It is advisable thatsomeone stay with you for the first 24 hours, and possibly a little longer.depending upon your recovery progress. Ask how long it will be before you can resume normal activity. Everybodyrecovers at different rates, but most women are 'out-of-commission' for abouttwo weeks, and cannot raise their arms above their heads for a month orlonger. Find out how long you are not to lift anything heavier than threepounds, how long you should not drive, and how long should you wait toparticipate in any strenuous activities such as jogging, sex,exercising.. .etc. . Ask what size (s)he expects you to be after the surgery. Have the plastic surgeon explain what Mastopexy (breast lift) surgery is, howit is performed, and if you would benefit from it. Ask if (s)he will prescribes antibiotics after surgery to prevent thecomplication of infection. Discuss all post-op medications he will use andwhat their purposes are. Ask if it would be possible to fill them the daybefore surgery to provide the convenience of them being available directlyfollowing surgery. Ask if (s)he will film the surgery on video. If so, request a copy foryourself. Ask whether or not you need to supply a blank tape. If this is notpossible, ask if you may provide a camera to have the surgery photographed.Ask what type of bandage (s)he will use and how long it is to remain on. Ask when you will need to start wearing the sports bra. Ask for the phone numbers you will need to get in touch with him after-hours. Request that any cysts or other suspicious tissue be sent to the pathologistfor examination and report. Tell him that you would like to have any removedsuspicious tissue and cysts returned to you with your implants. You may wishto have another pathologist examine them at a later date. Explain that you wish to have your implants returned to you, and if you intend to have them analyzed at a different lab, request that they remain unsterilized (which would kill anything growing)but properly packaged for transport. They should not be packed in formaldehyde. Ask which pathology service (s)he uses and ask for their contact information. Ask him the proper procedure to use to ensure that your implants are returned to you, and make your request known to the pathology lab. Explain that you would like to request copies of the Operative Report and thePathology Report from this surgery. Ask about proper procedure to ensure thatyou receive these copies. Once You Have Selected a Plastic Surgeon and Have Set a Surgery Date, Be Sureto Discuss the Following With Your Doctor: List all Medications that you take, includingthe strength and frequency that you take them.Inform your doctor of any drug allergies that you may have. Also, let yourdoctor know if you are allergic to latex or talc. Make a list of all of any symptoms you may have, include dates that theybegan, and how they have progressed since they began. Include a history ofall surgeries you have had.Obtain and bring your original operative/surgical report from having yourbreast augmentation surgery. The original operative report will containhelpful information about your implants, such as: the manufacturer, the modelnumber, the lot number, and the will indicate how the implant was positioned. Also, bring any recent MRI, mammogram, xeromamogram, or ultrasound reports. Ifyou have had any recent lab work, bring these results with you, even though,your doctor will probably have them repeated prior to surgery. A comparisonof the most recent labwork and the labwork he will do, will be helpful toyour doctor.