insideKENT Magazine Issue 57 - December 2016 | Page 128
HEALTH+WELLNESS
BELLA VOU Q&A
Your cosmetic procedure questions
answered by Mr Amir Nakhdjevani
of Bella Vou, Tunbridge Wells
How long is the recovery for common
procedures such as breast augmentation?
Each person is individual and there are factors
such as the size of the implant used, where the
implant was placed (under or over the muscle)
your heath and pain tolerance. As general rule
of thumb, this is a typical breast augmentation
recovery:
Day 1-4: Moderate discomfort controlled with
pain medicine. Support bra, rest, no lifting or
vigorous activity. Eg no lifting kids up or those
shopping bags! Your implants will look high – do
not worry.
Day 5-10: Any pain should have now be almost
gone. No need for pain medication. Able to slowly
resume normal daily activities but not physical
exercise. If you have a sedentary job, you can
get on with this. Some people return to work this
early but I do not recommend this. No sex.
Day 10-14: Return to work. Resume normal
activities except exercise. Sutures removed.
2-3 weeks: May resume exercise and fitness
routine if your incisions are well healed and your
doctor agrees. Sex may be resumed.
4-6 weeks: Implant position looks more normal
as you tissues accommodate the increased
volume.
3 months: Your implants have dropped to a
natural position. The implants should be soft
and moveable. Any firmness or hardness should
be reported to your doctor immediately.
How will I decide if cosmetic surgery is right
for me?
Cosmetic procedures are mostly elective rather
than 'must have'. If you have a concern that you
think surgery could help address, then start by
being informed about the pros and cons of the
particular surgery. Read the experiences of others
to lean about their journey, www.realself.com is
an excellent resource. A private consultant with
a surgeon is invaluable to better understand the
potential results and complications and to see
examples of their results. Speaking with previous
patients who have had the treatment is another
great way to find out.
What surgeries are available without
anaesthesia?
Many cosmetic procedures are available without
needing to have a general anesthetic, but there
are some that are not possible for
the patient's comfort. This is possible through
the refinement of some consultant plastic
surgeon's technique. Having your procedure
under a local anesthetic or twilight sedation
reduces both the risks of surgery and also your
recovery time. In general, nose reshaping, full
tummy tucks and most breast work needs to be
done under a GA, but some breast augmentation
and all nipple and areaola reduction is typically
done under a LA.
I've heard women lose nipple sensation after
breast augmentation – is this true?
In general, most women who have a disturbance
in nipple sensation, whether it be less (hyposensation), or in some cases too much (hypersensation), the sensation goes back to normal
with 3-6 months. Occasionally, it can take 1-2
years to be normal. Extremely rarely, the sensation
never goes back to normal. This is extremely rare
in augmentation alone, more common in lift or
reduction.
I'd like to have a cosmetic procedure, but I'm
nervous of the results and recovery. Can you
put my mind at ease?
A surgical procedure should be approached with
careful consideration, and it's quite normal to
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have some apprehension. Gaining the confidence
comes through your research about your
treatment and in finding the very best surgeon.
Being able to articulate the look and results you
desire is vital to both meeting your expectations
and in ensuring that the surgeons knows what
you are hoping for. Many surgeons can now
provide you with a 3D medical simulation of what
you might look like even before going under the
knife. These simulations let you see the result
from the comfort of your chair and they are
approximately 97% accurate.
Have you ever thought about
having a cosmetic procedure, but
have questions or concerns? Email
[email protected]
with your questions, and Mr Amir
Nakhdjevani will answer them in
the next issue of insideKENT.
Bella Vou Pantiles Clinic
45-47 The Pantiles
Tunbridge Wells
TN2 5TE
01892 257357
www.bellavou.co.uk