FAQ:Here you will find answersto the most frequently asked questions
When is breast augmentation possible after weaning?
Pregnancy and lactation are associated with great joy, but also significant changes in the female body. As a rule, the size of the breasts increases significantly already in the first trimester of pregnancy. And from the 22nd week of pregnancy, the female breast produces milk. Immediately before the birth everything is about breastfeeding – the breasts feel heavy, can have grown up to 1.5 times their original size and the nipples are usually larger and darker. After childbirth, the breasts also feel heavy and bulging. Despite the remaining ability to breastfeed, the breasts then significantly lose fatty tissue from about 6 months after birth. After weaning, there should be at least 3 months between the appointments at our practice for plastic and aesthetic surgery, since only then will the breast have reached its prenatal size. We recommend breast surgery no earlier than 6 months after weaning, as this process is usually associated with hormonal changes and other weight changes.
When is breast augmentation possible after pregnancy?
In the course of pregnancy, the postpartum period and, if necessary, breastfeeding, the breast goes through various stages, increasing in volume and size, then decreasing in fatty tissue and size again. After pregnancy and breastfeeding, the shape and volume of the female breast can therefore have changed drastically, possibly severely limiting self-confidence and quality of life. If you have decided on breast surgery or breast augmentation, we recommend that you come to our consultation hour around 6 months after the birth. For the actual breast surgery, at least 9 months should have passed after the birth of your child. You should also have completely weaned – see also the question “When is breast augmentation possible after weaning?”. For an optimal result of a breast augmentation, reaching your prenatal feel-good weight at the time of your breast surgery is also an advantage.
How long will I be ill after breast augmentation?
Since breast augmentation is usually a so-called cosmetic operation and therefore not a medically indicated procedure, the costs of this breast surgery are usually not covered by health insurance, and subsequent sick leave is not possible. As with any other operation, your body still needs sufficient regeneration time after a breast augmentation. Depending on professional or private stress (e.g. if there are small children in the family), at least 2 weeks of absolute rest should be planned. In the case of heavy physical exertion (e.g. in the care sector or in the catering trade), a significantly longer downtime should be planned, at least for special activities. Our specialists in plastic and aesthetic surgery, Dr. Andrea Wolff and Dr. Isabel Edusei, and the practice staff, you personally, which recovery time is advisable in your individual case.
What do I need to take with me to the practice clinic Wolff & Edusei for breast surgery?
Please be sure to bring your surgical folder with the most important documents to our practice clinic on the day of your breast surgery. We also recommend that you have a surgical bag with your toiletry bag, comfortable shoes to slip on (slippers, flip-flops, etc.) and comfortable things (jogging pants, cardigan, change of clothes, warm socks) and your mobile phone.
Also read: “Breast Surgery Preparation: How Can I Prepare for My Breast Surgery?”
Is it necessary to wear a chest strap after a breast augmentation?
In certain cases of breast surgery, a chest strap, a so-called “Stuttgart belt”, can support the wound healing process. The Stuttgart belt is an elastic but stabilizing band that is placed around the chest and, in contrast to a conventional bra, is worn in the area of the upper chest poles. After a breast augmentation with implants, the Stuttgart belt can help to ensure that the implants are held in the implant site and do not twist or slip up. In addition, the chest strap can have a pain-relieving effect due to its compressing effect. The chest strap can usually be removed about 6 weeks after breast surgery.
How long do I have to rest after breast augmentation?
As after any other surgical procedure, your body needs a certain period of rest after a breast augmentation so that the wounds can heal and an optimal result can be achieved. Since breast surgery is often a so-called cosmetic operation, i.e. it is not medically indicated, there is no entitlement to sick leave from the health insurance company. A holiday period of at least 2 weeks after the breast operation should therefore be planned. Overall, you should take it easy in the first 6-12 weeks after a breast augmentation with autologous fat and especially after a breast augmentation with implants and avoid physically demanding work and heavy lifting. A 6-week build-up phase begins 6 weeks after the surgical procedure, in which your body can be put under a little more strain and the results of the breast surgery can be seen. About 3 months after a breast augmentation with implants or autologous fat, the area should be so far advanced in the healing process that full weight bearing is possible again. Of course, these are always average times. Our specialists in plastic and aesthetic surgery and our practice team will be happy to advise you individually and are always available to answer any questions you may have.
After the outpatient procedure, can I travel by car, bicycle, scooter, subway, train or similar? drive? Am I roadworthy?
After a twilight sleep or general anesthesia you are not roadworthy for the way home. You may not drive any vehicle (including bicycles, scooters, etc.) and may not use local public transport. Therefore, you must be picked up by car by an accompanying person from the Wolff and Edusei practice clinic. Please note that taxi drivers are not accompanying persons.
How long should I stop exercising after breast augmentation?
After a surgical breast augmentation, the body needs enough time for the internal and external wound healing to proceed optimally. In the first 3 weeks after breast surgery, you should definitely take a break from sports. After consultation with our specialists for plastic and aesthetic surgery, light leg exercises are possible after 3 weeks without shaking or straining the trunk muscles. In addition, it is generally recommended to rest physically in the first 6 weeks after breast surgery and not to lift heavy loads in order not to disturb the wound healing process and possibly negatively influence the surgical result. After about 6 weeks, a build-up phase begins with light training, which can be gradually increased in terms of stress, controlled by symptoms. About 8 weeks after a breast augmentation, swimming is usually ok again and jogging from about 10 weeks. 3 months after a breast augmentation, the healing process should have progressed so far that the body is usually fully resilient again. Physically demanding sports such as weight training, climbing, rowing or boxing are now possible again. In any case, a well-fitting and supportive sports bra should be worn for every sport. Of course, our specialists for plastic and aesthetic surgery, Dr. Andrea Wolff and Dr. Isabel Edusei, and the practice team always personally and individually on the treatment and recovery process of your breast surgery.
Why can't I lift heavy after breast augmentation?
After breast surgery, you should refrain from lifting heavy loads for about 12 weeks in order not to disturb the healing process. Jerky and incorrect movements can also cause painful injuries and complications such as wound healing disorders or scarring disorders. After a breast augmentation with implants, heavy lifting and the associated straining of the trunk muscles could also cause the breast implant that was inserted to shift and thus have a permanently negative effect on the surgical result.
Which bra can be worn after a breast augmentation with autologous fat?
After a breast augmentation with autologous fat, a well-fitting, slightly supportive and non-pressing bra is recommended. In this way, the healing process of the breast tissue and the growth of the transplanted fatty tissue can be optimally supported without exerting any pressure or disturbing the blood circulation in the area due to constricting bras. You should therefore avoid wearing a sports bra, underwired bra or compression bra in the first 6 weeks after breast augmentation with autologous fat.
Is nail polish allowed for an operation under anesthesia or do I have to remove the nail polish?
No, nail polish does not have to be removed for anesthesia in the Wolff and Edusei practice clinic.
Can I smoke before the plastic-aesthetic procedure?
Please stop smoking at least 1 hour before your appointment at the Wolff and Edusei practice clinic.
When and where does the anesthetic preliminary talk or the premedication consultation take place?
The anesthetic consultation is usually held over the phone. For this purpose, please call on Tuesdays between 5:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. You can get the phone number from the Wolff and Edusei practice clinic. A personal consultation is possible after consultation.
When can I go out in the sun again after plastic/aesthetic surgery?
In the first 3 months after a cosmetic procedure or a plastic-aesthetic operation, extensive sunbathing or intensive UV radiation should be avoided.
In general, it is not advisable to expose the skin to the sun without protection, as this can accelerate the skin aging process, promote wrinkling and cause skin cancer. Even more caution is needed with fresh scar tissue, as excessive UV exposure could lead to hyperpigmentation or discoloration of the affected area. Even after the recommended rest period of 3 months after an aesthetic procedure such as a breast augmentation, a tummy tuck, an eyelid lift, the affected skin should not be exposed directly to the sun, i.e. adequate sun protection in the form of sunscreen with a high sun protection factor is still recommended. It is important that the sunscreen is renewed regularly.
Can I drink liquids before the plastic-aesthetic procedure or should I remain sober?
Starting in the last 6 hours before your surgery appointment in the practice clinic for plastic and aesthetic surgery, during which you are no longer allowed to eat, you are allowed to take in clear liquids. You may drink water, tea or black coffee (also with sugar) up to 1 hour before the operation. Please no dairy products or fruit juices.
I take medication regularly. Can I continue to take my long-term medication despite the forthcoming plastic-aesthetic surgery and anesthesia?
As part of the anesthesia briefing, it will be clarified which medications of your long-term medication you can take before the procedure in the Wolff and Edusei practice clinic.
Can I eat solid food before the plastic-aesthetic procedure or should I stay sober?
For the safe implementation of the “twilight sleep” or the “general anesthesia” it is necessary that you appear sober for the operation appointment in the practice clinic Wolff and Edusei. This means that you must not have eaten within the last 6 hours before the procedure. Please note that milk products of all kinds (e.g. soya or similar) are also considered food.
Why do I need a caregiver at home after an operation under anesthesia?
After an operation under anaesthetic, you need someone to look after you at home until the next morning. This is a mandatory condition of the professional associations for the implementation of outpatient anesthesia with the aim of ensuring your safety at home.
What should I bring with me to the Wolff and Edusei practice clinic on the day of the plastic-aesthetic procedure?
Please bring the completed anesthetic documents (anesthesia questionnaire, optional service agreement, if applicable) with you to the Wolff and Edusei practice on the day of the operation, if these are not already available in the practice.
Is it possible to switch from “twilight sleep” to “general anesthesia” during the plastic-aesthetic intervention in the Wolff and Edusei practice clinic?
Yes, it is possible to switch to general anesthesia during the plastic-aesthetic procedure.
Can every plastic-aesthetic intervention in the Wolff and Edusei practice clinic be carried out in twilight sleep?
No, not every plastic-aesthetic procedure can be performed under controlled analgosedation. The decisive factor is always the answer to the question of whether twilight sleep in combination with local anesthesia is sufficient to suppress the expected surgical pain stimulus.
What is the difference between "general anesthesia" and "twilight sleep"?
In a “twilight sleep” your own breathing is preserved as well as your protective reflexes. If you should fall asleep during the plastic-aesthetic procedure, you can be awakened at any time. Your cognition is drugged but not turned off, allowing you to sense touch and manipulation.
What forms of anesthesia / types of anesthesia are offered in the Wolff & Edusei practice clinic?
Depending on the type of intervention planned in the Wolff and Edusei practice clinic, different forms of anesthesiological care can be used: 1. General anesthesia (“general anesthesia”); 2. Controlled analgosedation (“twilight sleep”) in combination with a local anesthetic of the surgical area; 3. Regional anesthesia (usually in combination with general anesthesia)
When can I go back to the sauna after a plastic-aesthetic procedure / cosmetic surgery?
In the first 3 months after a cosmetic procedure or a plastic-aesthetic operation, a visit to the sauna should be avoided.
The heat in the sauna could cause swelling in the scar area, leading to complications or a prolonged healing process. It could also trigger infections. For the reasons mentioned, a visit to the steam bath or the thermal baths should also be avoided in the first 3 months after plastic-aesthetic surgery.
When can I go back to the solarium after plastic/aesthetic surgery/cosmetic surgery?
In the first 3 months after a cosmetic procedure or a plastic-aesthetic operation, intensive UV radiation and associated visits to the solarium should be avoided.
Similar to direct and excessive sun exposure, the UV radiation from the solarium could lead to hyperpigmentation or discoloration of the affected scar area. The heat in the solarium can also cause swelling in the scar region. Even after the recommended 3 months of abstinence from direct sun and UV radiation after e.g.
