If you have decided to undergo postpartum surgery, a potentially life-changing procedure that involves a breast surgery and an abdominoplasty, you will need a consultation with your surgeon first. A postpartum surgery consultation will not only help you to feel more prepared for the procedure, but it will also provide you with aftercare instructions that will be important for supporting your body’s recovery process.
Having a virtual or in-person postpartum surgery consultation can sometimes be a nerve-racking experience. To help you feel prepared for your first consultation, read on for our key tips.
What does a postpartum surgery consultation with Dr Broadhurst involve?
Specialist Plastic Surgeon Dr Broadhurst takes a patient-centred approach to surgery, with the aim to make every patient feel as comfortable and supported as possible. Whether you will be having your consultation in Brisbane, Sunshine Coast or another one of our location options, your consultation process should be thorough and informative
Initial consultation
Your first postpartum surgery consultation with Dr Broadhurst will be virtual. The consultation can take place over the phone or via FaceTime.The main purpose of your initial consultation is to discuss your medical history, personal aesthetic concerns, your desired results, if you have any future pregnancy plans and to pinpoint the areas of excess skin and fat. With this information, Dr Broadhurst can begin to put together a personalised treatment plan and inform you of what you can expect during your recovery period.
Second consultation
Your next postpartum surgery consultation will be in person, at either our Brisbane, Sunshine Coast, Hervey Bay, Bundaberg, or Ballina locations. The second consultation will usually take place a few weeks before the date of your procedure and is free of charge. An in-person consultation will involve a more in-depth discussion of the procedure steps, preparation steps and recovery instructions. It is also a great opportunity to ask any further questions you may have and get clarification on any concerns. The appointment may also involve an in-person examination of the condition of your breasts and abdominal area and a reassessment of the treatment plan.
Want to learn more about what the postpartum surgery consultation process and procedure involves? Visit our postpartum surgery procedure page.
Our postpartum surgery consultation preparation checklist
Following our preparation checklist before scheduling your consultation can help you to feel confident, ready and even excited for your appointment.
To prepare for your postpartum surgery consultation, we recommend to:
Get clear about your desired results
Before your consultation, you will want to get clear about your personal aesthetic goals, so that you can communicate them to your surgeon as clearly as possible. The detailed steps of a postpartum surgery will be tailored to achieve your personal goals, so the first step in preparing for your consultations is to be able to articulate what those goals are. With understanding, empathy and a supportive approach, your surgeon will do his best to tailor the treatment plan to your desired outcome of the procedure.
Check your health history
During your postpartum surgery consultation, it will be important to disclose any health conditions you may have or have had in the past. History of surgical and cosmetic procedures can also be important to discuss with your doctor, as well as any medications that you are currently taking. Certain health conditions or personal factors can require additional preparation or recovery steps, and contribute to determining your suitability for the procedure.
Consider your lifestyle factors
As well as health conditions, certain lifestyle factors can influence the details of the consultation and procedure process, such as your eligibility or personal recovery steps. Before your appointment, write down any lifestyle factors you may have that can be affected by the procedure, particularly by the recovery period after the procedure. These may include upcoming scheduled sporting events, special occasions, or daily lifestyle habits such as smoking.
Familiarise yourself with the types of breast procedures
Depending on the changes that have occurred in your breasts and your personal aesthetic goals, you may undergo a breast augmentation mammoplasty, reduction mammoplasty, lift mastopexy or implant revision (if you have previously undergone a breast augmentation mammoplasty) as part of your postpartum surgery.
Before your postpartum surgery consultation, familiarising yourself with the basic procedure details of each option can help you to have a better understanding of what procedure your surgeon will recommend undergoing. If you will undergo a breast augmentation mammoplasty with implants, you can read about the types of implants (silicone and saline), and the pros and cons of each option. If a breast lift mastopexy is the most suitable option for you, you may want to learn about the different techniques or incision types that can be chosen.
Even if you don’t feel particularly motivated to read up on the details of each procedure, your surgeon will make sure that you understand your individualised procedure steps in detail during your consultation.
Learn about abdominoplasty, also known as tummy tuck procedure
As the second component of postpartum surgery, an abdominoplasty involves the removal of excess skin and the repairing of, separated abdominal muscles, as well as removing fat tissue. Your surgeon will inform you of the steps involved in an abdominoplasty, but familiarising yourself with the basics of the procedure can help you to feel more prepared for your postpartum surgery consultation.
Prepare a list of questions to ask your surgeon
When it comes to surgical procedures, there is no such thing as a silly question. Dr Broadhurst is passionate about providing a supportive consultation process, ensuring that all patients feel comfortable and confident about their procedure. Some questions to ask may include:
– How long will it take for me to recover from the procedure?
– Where will my incisions be placed?
– How large will my incisions be?
– What will I need to do to prepare for the procedure?
– How soon can I see results?
Our postpartum surgery page has the answers to some of these questions. However, the answer may change from patient to patient as everyone is different and can have a unique set of personal factors that can influence the answers.
If you have any questions about the procedure or consultation process with Specialist Plastic Surgeon Dr Andrew Broadhurst, contact us today.
