Elective or not, many patients feel nervous before going under the knife. Dr. Brantner and his staff are here to answer your questions and discuss your concerns before cosmetic surgery. To ensure things run smoothly on Op Day, remember these pre-op instructions.
Patient Instructions for Day of Surgery
Don’t eat anything solid after midnight the night before your surgery. Avoid colored liquids like broths.
Do not drink anything for four hours pre-op.
Ask your doctor about taking daily medications with small amounts of water the morning of your surgery. He may adjust your dosage.
Let your doctor know if you’ve neglected any of his instructions, including eating before surgery or taking fish oil or ibuprofen in the two weeks before your operation. This could affect surgery, and your doctor may need to make adjustments or postpone surgery for your safety.
You may brush your teeth the morning of surgery.
Shower and wash your hair prior to surgery. Use gentle products that do not contain fragrance. Do not apply lotion or deodorant after your shower.
Remove all nail polish, makeup, and jewelry, and removal aides like dentures, hearing aids, glasses or contact lenses, or partial plates.
Wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothing.
Arrive at least 2 hours before your scheduled surgery.
Bring a trusted adult to accompany you home after surgery. He or she may discuss post-op instructions with Dr. Brantner or one of his nurses.
Family and friends are not permitted in patient areas. They may accompany you to the registration area and wait in the Family Waiting Area. Your surgeon will contact them when your procedure is done. (Parents or guardians may accompany their children into the surgical holding area. Please do not bring children to the Family Waiting Area, as the wait may be difficult).
A breast augmentation consultation is the time for you and your physician to sit down, get comfortable, and discuss your procedure. During a consultation, Dr. Brantner will explain the procedure, discuss the best way to achieve your goals, and answer any questions you may have about surgery or recovery. Dr. Brantner does his best to make each patient feel comfortable and knowledgeable during her consultation. You can make the surgical process even easier by learning these common breast augmentation terms.
Terms to Know: Breast Augmentation Edition
Areola: The pigmented ring of skin around the nipple.
Breast augmentation: Also known as augmentation mammaplasty or breast implant surgery, breast augmentation is a surgical procedure to enlarge the breasts. You may hear Dr. Brantner refer to this procedure as a “breast auggie” or simply “auggie.”
Breast implants: Medical devices placed in the chest wall to enlarge or reconstruct the breasts. Made of silicone or saline.
Saline implants: Implants filled with saltwater.
Silicone implants: Implants filled with elastic gel.
Submammary/subglandular placement: Breast implants placed behind the breast tissue and over the pectoral muscle.
Submuscular/subpectoral placement: Breast implants placed beneath the pectoral muscle.
General anesthesia: Drugs or gasses typically used during surgery to sedate a patient, relieve pain, or stimulate unconsciousness.
Local anesthesia: Drugs injected around the site of the operation to relieve pain.
Intravenous sedation: Sedatives injected into a vein through an IV to help patients relax.
Hematoma: Blood pooling beneath the skin.
Inframammary incision: An incision made beneath the fold of the breast.
Periareolar incision: An incision made around the nipple, just at the edge of the areola.
Transaxillary incision: An incision made in the armpit.
Sutures: Stitches used to hold together skin and tissue while the body repairs itself.
Call Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery to schedule a consultation, request information about a procedure, or schedule your surgery.
Botox is one of the most popular cosmetic treatments, offering men and women a less permanent solution to wrinkles and signs of aging. But like any other procedure, there’s a lot of misinformation about Botox out there. We’re dispelling the rumors by debunking these common Botox myths.
Myth #1: Botox Makes You Look Fake
Comedies like to use Botox gags for cheap laughs, but the picture they paint is far from the truth. Botox relaxes the muscles at the injection site, which may smooth a furrowed brow, but still allows for a normal range of facial expressions.
Myth # 2: You Should Wait Until Lines Appear
Preventative Botox treatments have become more common in recent years. By getting Botox before lines and wrinkles begin to form, patients can get ahead of deep grooves to lessen the appearance of aging. You can even train your muscles not to make certain facial expressions that may create wrinkles as you age.
Myth #3: Anyone Can Inject Botox
Botox parties are popping up across the country, and many men and women are facing the consequences of their blasé attitudes toward these cosmetic procedures. Botox injections are a safe, well-tested nonsurgical solution, but they can lead to complications when performed by an untrained hand. Always research the facility and the physician before getting injectable fillers.
Myth #4: Botox Is Just for Women
It’s becoming more acceptable for men to care about how they look, and a lot of guys are jumping on the opportunity. Botox injections can help men feel more confident at work, in relationships, and in their daily lives. And it’s not just for over-fifties. Men of all ages have experienced the boost in confidence of this nonsurgical cosmetic procedure.
Botox can smooth the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines, taking years off your appearance. To determine if Botox is right for you, schedule a consultation with Dr. Brantner at Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery.
Mommy Makeovers allow moms to reclaim their confidence, do something special for themselves, and get their pre-baby bodies back. Mothers put their kids’ needs above their own, but sometimes they start to feel like they’re not their own person anymore. A Mommy Makeover isn’t about looking better for your spouse or showing off to the moms at the PTA. It’s about feeling good and loving yourself. That’s why each Mommy Makeover is individualized to meet the needs of the patient.
We want to make it easy for moms to celebrate the things that make them feel beautiful. We’re offering body shaping and rejuvenation specialsthis spring.
Breast Augmentation
One of the most popular cosmetic surgeries, breast implants allow many women to renew their confidence and reclaim their bodies. Breast augmentations make the breasts fuller, balancing the shape of the body and improving self-image. They can also balance uneven breast tissue or replace lost fullness due to pregnancy or weight loss.
Breast Lift
Many women like the size of their breasts, but are unhappy with the loss of elasticity due to pregnancy, breastfeeding, weight fluctuations, or heredity. A mastopexy, or breast lift procedure, removes excess skin and lifts the breasts, resulting in more youthful, lifted breasts. Breast lift surgery does not reduce the size of the breasts, but it may give the illusion of smaller breasts. Because of this, breast lifts can be performed alone or with breast augmentations.
Tummy Tuck
Many new mothers feel self-conscious about the appearance of their abdomens. Pregnancy often results in excess skin and fat in the stomach, as well as weakened or separated abdominal muscles. An abdominoplasty, or tummy tuck procedure, removes excess fat and skin and knits weakened muscles back together, resulting in a smoother, tighter tummy.
Thigh Lift
A thigh lift reshapes the contours of the upper legs by removing excess skin and fat. A mom with low elasticity in her skin may not easily return to her pre-baby body, even if she loses weight through diet and exercise. A thigh lift smooths the loose skin and fat on the thighs, giving each patient a firmer, more balanced body.
Do you feel unhappy with your post-baby body? Call Dr. Brantner’s office to schedule a Mommy Makeover consultation.
For decades, breast implants have been the top cosmetic surgical procedure in the U.S. 286,000 breast augmentations were performed in 2014 alone. But despite its popularity, the world is full of misconceptions about breast enlargement surgery. Make a list of personal questions to ask your surgeon at your cosmetic consultation. To get you started, we’re answering 4 common questions about breast implants.
Top Questions about Breast Augmentation
Are breast implants safe? Breast implants are among the most studied medical devices in existence. After years of extensive research, the FDA has approved both saline and silicone breast implants for medical use.
How do I achieve the most natural results? A variety of factors must come together to give you your perfect breast implant. First, you must determine your ideal outcome. Saline implants are recommended for women under 22, but they may cause slight rippling under the skin, especially when placed over the muscle. Silicone implants give a more natural shape, but cost more than saline implants. Patients must also consider implant placement, scar placement, body type, and lifestyle before finding their perfect breast.
What Size Implant Do I Need? During your surgical consultation, Dr. Brantner will help you determine the right size breast implant for your surgery. He will measure your chest wall, shoulders, and current breast size to help you find your ideal breast size. Height, weight, body type, and desired results are also crucial factors in finding the right size implant. As with any surgery, optimal breast size is different for each patient. Dr. Brantner is here to help you find your best, most natural results.
Will You See My Scar? There are three sites you can choose for your incision: under the armpit, beneath the breast, and around the nipple. Every patient heals differently, but in most cases, the scars are small and easily concealed. Discuss the pros and cons of each scar placement with Dr. Brantner at your consultation.
Are you considering cosmetic breast enhancement surgery? Call Dr. Brantner’s office to schedule a consultation.
Don’t eat anything solid after midnight the night before your surgery. Avoid colored liquids like broths. 
