Exercising after Breast Surgery

I frequently tell patients that optimal results can be obtained from plastic surgery when it’s combined with other facets of a healthy lifestyle, including nutritious diet and an active fitness routine. My goal is to provide the best surgical results possible, but the work shouldn’t stop after you leave my office. Our bodies are constantly changing and there are certain recommendations I always advise to make sure you maintain your results for as long as possible. So what are the best ways to ease back into physical activity after a cosmetic breast surgery? Here are some basic guidelines:

Give yourself enough time to heal. Depending on the nature of the surgery, varying times will be needed for healing. The first few days only a minimal amount of activity is recommended, but within a week, light activities are allowed and encouraged. Often, after invasive surgery a period of a month or longer without intense physical exercise will be requires. The last thing a patient should want is to potentially compromise their plastic surgery results and increase any inherent complications. Post-surgical recovery may require extended periods of being sedentary, but remember it’s only temporary.
Limit initial physical activity. Certain low-impact exercises are ideal as they increase blood circulation and help reduce swelling. Practice deep breathing exercises (using your diaphragm) several times each day by lying down on your back and taking slow, deep breaths. Breathe in as much air as you can while trying to expand your chest and abdomen (by pushing your belly button away from your spine). Then relax and breathe out and repeat this 4 or 5 times. This exercise will help maintain normal movement of your chest, making it easier for your lungs to work and help reduce the risk of some breast surgery complications. Walking is always encouraged as it improves lung expansion and decreases the risk of a blood clot forming in the lower extremities.
Wait until you’ve been cleared. As with any exercise routine, make sure it’s tailored to your general health and medical condition. In all cases, until you have been cleared in the office, don’t attempt any strenuous exercises like high-impact aerobics, jogging, swimming, tennis, spinning, or lifting weights. With the first signs of feeling yourself again, jumping back into previous exercise routines can do more harm than good, which is why you should consult with your surgeon before doing any exercise to make sure that your recovery has progressed enough for you to begin. As your surgeon, I recommend specific exercises and plans that take into account the exact cosmetic or reconstructive procedure you have undergone.

If you are interested in breast surgery, or any other cosmetic procedure I perform, please contact us today to schedule a consultation. Also be sure to connect with me, Dr. Allyson Maske on Facebook, Twitter, and Google+ for the latest plastic surgery news.

Jun 4, 2014

Breast Surgery, Uncategorized / Atlanta cosmetic surgery, atlanta plastic surgeon, breast augmentation, breast implants, exercise after surgery /

Can Breast Procedures Be Combined?

A question I frequently hear from my patients is whether or not multiple breast procedures can be combined into one surgery. Often times my patients will have a general idea of the cosmetic surgery results they would like to see for their breasts, but aren’t quite sure which procedures are necessary to achieve the look they truly are going for. Depending on your goals, breast procedures can be safely performed simultaneously to give your breasts a more enhanced aesthetic. As a board certified plastic surgeon I specialize in cosmetic breast surgery and will briefly explain a popular combination breast procedure below in my blog.

breast surgery in atlanta georgia One of the most popular breast procedures I perform at Atlanta Plastic Surgery, P.C. is breast augmentation. The motivation behind my patients choosing breast augmentation ranges from dissatisfaction with their original breast size or shape, wanting to address changes brought on by weight fluctuations, pregnancy or breastfeeding or simply to improve their self-esteem and body image. No matter the reason, I perform breast augmentation by surgically inserting FDA-approved breast implants for my patients wishing to enhance the size and shape of the breasts for a fuller, more proportionate look. Available in saline, silicone and highly cohesive silicone gel, the implants I use come in many sizes, shapes and textures to suit each unique need of my patients.

For those of you that want an extra lift, mastopexy (breast lift) can be performed to address the physical changes our breasts undergo as we age and battle the effects of gravity. I perform breast lifts by addressing the tissue and skin of the breasts. During the procedure I rearrange and tighten supporting tissue and trim excess skin to raise the breasts to a higher position on the chest. Breast lift alone cannot increase the size of your breasts so a combination procedure with breast augmentation would be needed to achieve your overall effect of having perkier and larger breasts. For women with overly large breasts, breast lift can be combined with breast reduction to help reduce extra weight carried on the chest.

Many of my patients prefer visual examples when deciding which procedures are best suited for them. To help guide my patients through their decision process, I provide Vectra® M3 digital imaging which is a new technology that gives patients the opportunity to preview their cosmetic results through simulations. Capturing three-dimensional images, Vectra® technology allows my patients to “try on” different implants and view results from any angle to increase their expectations and improve satisfaction of your final results.

May 6, 2014

Breast Augmentation, Breast Surgery / atlanta breast augmentation, Atlanta breast implants, Atlanta Breast Lift, Atlanta breast surgery, Atlanta cosmetic surgeon, atlanta plastic surgeon, Atlanta vectra imaging, breast augmentation Atlanta ga, breast enhancement atlanta ga, breast lift atlanta, breast surgery, Dr. Allyson Maske, Vectra Atlanta ga /

What Can I Expect After Breast Surgery

As a mother of two, I know that keeping up with children can be a physical challenge! One thing many of my patients ask is how soon they will be able to resume the physical demands of their day to day life after breast enhancement surgery. Individual recovery times vary considerably depending on the specifics of your procedure as well as your body’s own natural healing abilities. There are certain general guidelines, however, that may be helpful for all of my patients to keep in mind.

atlanta breast surgery Post-procedural care is of the utmost importance in order to fully maximize your plastic surgery results. The first few days after your procedure should be a time for you to allow your body to rest. As much as we may not enjoy interruptions in our daily routines, it’s crucial that you don’t “over do” it. You may experience swelling, bruising, and soreness for a few days to a few weeks depending on the extent of your surgical procedure. Listen to your body and don’t attempt to jump back into work or personal life until it is advised to do so.

Soliciting the help of friends and family members after your surgery is highly recommended. Having a support system helps to eliminate the chances of you doing potentially straining activities that can slow down your recovery process or cause complications. Some degree of activity is advisable as it encourages blood flow and helps speed up the healing process, but still be mindful of your limitations. I provide extensive post-operative instructions to help guide you along your recovery and most of my patients are pleasantly surprise that they can return to work within a week of their surgery.

Follow-up consultations with me are very important and highly beneficial for my aesthetic and reconstructive surgery patients. During that time I can evaluate your healing progress and make sure you’re on track to getting the best results possible. I’ll discuss the next steps of your recovery and advise you on the best time to resume regular exercise. I work diligently with my patients to create a personalized recovery plan based on their individual lifestyle and their newly enhanced physique.

My patients’ safety is my number one concern and I always maintain an open door policy to make sure I can address any questions you may have before and after your procedure. If you are interested in a breast procedure I perform, please contact my office to schedule your appointment today. Be sure to also connect with me, Dr. Allyson Maske, on Facebook, Twitter, and Google+ for the latest plastic surgery news and updates.

Apr 21, 2014

Breast Augmentation, Breast Surgery, Uncategorized / Atlanta breast enhancement, Atlanta breast surgery, Atlanta cosmetic surgery, atlanta plastic surgeon, atlanta plastic surgery, Atlanta reconstructive surgery, breast surgery atlanta /

Quick Facts on Vectra® Digital Imaging Technology for Breast Augmentation

As mentioned in previous blogs, Vectra® 3D digital imaging system is a technology I provide during consultations for my breast augmentation patients. The imaging system uses six angled cameras to capture simulated images of the patient’s body from various angles. I enjoy using this technology for patients interested in different types and sizes of breast implants so they can preview each outcome. While Vectra® imaging may sound pretty straightforward, below are a few more facts detailing the versatile technology this system offers:

• My patients can choose almost any breast implant type, texture, and size to preview. Vectra® already includes each FDA approved brand in the system so patients can browse all of their options.

• To address breast asymmetry or resolve effects caused by Poland’s Syndrome, Vectra® even allows you to select different implant sizes per breast. For example, a patient who has one significantly larger breast can choose a smaller implant and then a slightly larger implant for the other breast.

• Vectra® allows overlaying so pre-op images can be shown with the simulated outcome for better comparison and to make results more apparent.

• With multiple post-operative screens to view, breast augmentation patients can look at each outcome side by side to better choose their breast implants. They can view different implant sizes and even round or shaped implant results.

• According to the makers of Vectra®, Canfield Scientific, Inc., each image capture time is about 3.5 milliseconds so images appear crisp and clear without any movement shown. The cameras are also adjustable so they fit the patient’s height for better photo production.

Not only does this enhance your consultation experience, but it also provides a better sense of the procedure and expected results. If you’re interested in a breast procedure, please contact my office to schedule your appointment today. Be sure to also connect with me on Facebook, Twitter, and Google+ for the latest updates.

Apr 3, 2014

Breast Augmentation, Breast Lift, Breast Surgery, Uncategorized / atlanta breast augmentation, Atlanta breast implants, Atlanta breast surgery, Atlanta vectra technology, breast enhancement atlanta ga, breast surgery atlanta ga, choosing breast implants, preview breast surgery results, Vectra digital imaging Atlanta ga /