Breast Augmentation Before and After Tips from a Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon

What to Avoid Before Breast Augmentation Surgery

Before your surgery, Dr. Aldo Guerra recommends stopping certain medications and supplements. “I get everybody off blood thinners, anything that’s an aspirin, certain supplements like Ginkgo, fish oil, and vitamin E, for about 10 days before surgery,” he explains. For non-herbal supplements, he recommends stopping them a full month in advance. These substances can lead to excessive bleeding during and after surgery, which may complicate recovery.

Blood thinners, including over-the-counter (OTC) medications like ibuprofen, interfere with your body’s ability to clot properly. Even natural supplements like Gingko, fish oil, and vitamin E, while usually harmless, can affect blood viscosity. “We don’t restart those supplements for at least a month after surgery,” Dr. Guerra advises.

Medications and supplements aside, Dr. Guerra also touched on educating patients about other modifiable risk factors. “Taking away things like blood thinners and empowering patients to walk after surgery helps minimize the risk of blood clots,” he says. By following these guidelines, you’re setting yourself up for a safer procedure and a smoother recovery.

Tune In for Real Talk on Surgery Prep and Recovery

Dos and Don’ts for Breast Augmentation Recovery

Once your breast surgery is complete, the real transformation begins, starting with recovery. Dr. Aldo Guerra mentioned that what you do after surgery is just as important as your pre-op preparation.

Taking it easy and following activity restrictions helps your body heal. But while it’s important to rest, Dr. Guerra encourages patients to walk once it’s safe and comfortable after surgery, usually within the first 24 hours. “Walking after surgery helps minimize the risk of blood clots,” he notes. Light movement promotes circulation, but avoid physically taxing activities until your surgeon says it’s okay.

As for when you can safely resume medications and supplements, Dr. Guerra advises waiting at least a month before reintroducing blood thinners or supplements like fish oil and vitamin E.

Review our complete guide to breast augmentation in Arizona here.

Talking About Natural Asymmetry Before Surgery

Breast asymmetry is more common than most people realize. “When you’re actually looking at a patient standing straight, women are often surprised that they have a little tilt to themselves or that one breast is higher than the other,” Dr. Guerra discloses.

These subtle differences, whether due to scoliosis, shoulder positioning, or other factors, can affect the final results. Dr. Guerra ensures to discuss these details with patients beforehand. “It’s important to point them out because it will influence the symmetry they’re going to have after surgery,” he explains. Addressing these concerns early helps patients set realistic expectations and feel more confident about their outcomes.

To achieve balanced results, Dr. Guerra uses a dual-plane technique for breast augmentation. “We release the muscle at the rib margin, which allows the implant to settle into the cleavage and fill out the bottom of the breast,” he says. This technique distributes the volume evenly, with about half of the implant above the nipple and half below. The result is a natural, “mysterious” look that leaves people wondering, but not knowing, if you’ve had work done.

Recommending Fat Pad Removal for Better-Looking Results

Combining procedures lets you address multiple concerns in a single operation, which saves time, minimizes downtime, and cuts the need for additional surgeries. Dr. Aldo Guerra frequently pairs breast augmentation with per-axillary liposuction, a technique that eliminates excess fat from the armpit area. “That fat pad can cause a little bit of unbalance in the chest, and removing it makes the overall appearance more aesthetically pleasing,” he shares.

Many patients don’t realize how much of a difference this minor adjustment can make. “I’ve had so many patients be more excited about having that fat pad removed than their actual implants,” Dr. Guerra reveals. The procedure involves a small incision in the armpit, and the results speak for themselves. “Afterward, you see beautiful, round breasts with amazing cleavage, and those little fat pads are gone. The patient looks thinner and more attractive overall.”

Using Surgical Mesh (If Necessary) and Other Advanced Techniques

Dr. Aldo Guerra approaches new surgical tools and techniques with caution. “I don’t adopt something the second it comes out, as if it’s the hottest new thing. I want to make sure that it’s tried and true, has a good risk profile, and actually does what it’s intended to do.”

Surgical mesh is one of the few trending medical devices he incorporated into his practice, but only after years of observation and use. Dr. Guerra calls himself a ‘believer’ in mesh for specific cases, such as in revision surgeries or for those with severe tissue laxity. If you fit within these criteria, he may suggest using mesh, and you can discuss the pros and cons during your consultation.

“The number one reason I use mesh is in revision cases where the implant isn’t being held up by tissue,” he says. Such cases typically involve patients experiencing bottoming out or lower pole stretch. Another group that benefits from surgical mesh includes patients who have lost a ton of weight and have increased elasticity in their tissue at the mammary fold. “You can see during the [pre-op] exam that their tissue won’t hold up the weight of the implant,” he shares. For these patients, mesh has the necessary support to achieve better cleavage and upper pole fullness.

While mesh isn’t commonly used in primary breast augmentations, Dr. Guerra highlighted a few exceptions. “Some patients are on the edge of needing a breast lift in Phoenix but don’t want one. In those cases, mesh can prevent the implant from settling too much and becoming bottom-heavy,” he says. He recalls a recent patient who fit this profile and achieved fantastic results with mesh, maintaining a natural shape and proper breast fold.

Dr. Guerra also discussed the importance of proven techniques to minimize complications like capsular contracture. “We use a 16-step approach, including the Keller Funnel, triple antibiotic solution, and nipple covers,” he points out. These steps, backed by decades of research, help reduce the risk of infection and contracture to less than 1%. “The more sterile the field, the lower the risk,” he adds.

And there you have it, expert tips from one of the best breast augmentation surgeons in Arizona. If you’d like to hear more from Dr. Guerra and Dr. Jonathan Dang—also one of the leading board-certified plastic surgeons in the state -— subscribe to our YouTube channel for more episodes of The Slice Is Right. Our hosts cover everything from breast, face, and body procedures to recovery tips and patient experiences. Stay informed, get your questions answered, and feel confident about your choices.

Meet Dr. Aldo Guerra and Dr. Jonathan Dang

Dr. Guerra and Dr. Dang bring several years of expertise and a personalized approach to every procedure. From breast augmentations to HD liposuctions and complete mommy makeovers, they’ll customize every procedure to match your goals, whether you want a subtle enhancement or a more noticeable change. Schedule a consultation with Arizona’s Trusted Plastic Surgeons today.