All surgical incisions will eventually remodel into scars that will be permanent. This being said, most scars become very pale, soft and minimally apparent. Proper location and alignment will also allow them to be easily covered by undergarments or bathing suit wear. The extent and locationof the scar that you can anticipate will be thoroughly reviewed with Dr. vanVliet prior to surgery. In general, the extent of the scar correlates directly with the work to be done and the amount of skin redundancy before surgery.

The quality of the scar that will be formed is impacted upon by many variables, including gene stock. This being said, there are many things that can be done in the peri-operative period to facilitate good wound healing. For this reason, it is important to follow post-operative instructions closely. The first month after surgery, in particular, is critical to the eventual quality of your scar in the long-term. During this early wound healing period the scar is essentially "knitting" up. Too much activity or touch at this time, can irritate or spread a scar. Dr. vanVliet utilizes many modalities to optimize wound healing, including Arnica, compression garments and moisture (silicone gel). Proper nutrition and relative rest during the first month are also critical to the eventual esthetic outcome. Smoke cessation during this time is imperative.

These questions are very common and relate to our busy lives. Taking time out for surgery is a given, but often patients are reticent to take enough time out of their day to day activities in order to convalesce and let the body do its healing. The body heals from the inside out and the post-operative convalescing period is important to help facilitate this.

Wound healing is a continuem and therefore it is important when planning surgery to be specific about recovery time lines so that you can organize your life accordingly. To a large extent, the recovery time correlates with the extent of the work done. This being said, most surgical procedures require at least one week of relative rest to accelerate the subsequent wound healing.

A breast augmentation involves a minimal scar on the outside but the wound bed really represents the entire chest wall. An abdominoplasty procedure, involves almost the entire trunk. These areas of our trunk need to be rested for a month after surgery and therefore it is important to refrain from intense physical activity or touch during this time. Return to work after surgery depends to a large extent on the extent of surgery and also the type of work you do. The vast majority of patients returning to a sedentary job can do so in 1-2 weeks. Dr. vanVliet will guide you regarding these decisions prior to surgery. Travel, especially travel abroad, should not be considered for at least 4-6 weeks following surgery.

Links
In addition to this website, there are valuable sites on the web that can provide helpful information on cosmetic breast and abdominal procedures:

» Canadian Society of Plastic Surgeons (CSPS)

» Canadian Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (CSAPS)

» American Society of Plastic Surgeons

» Mentor Canada : a valuable source of information regarding breast augmentation

» Southlake Regional Health Centre: Dr. vanVliet performs the majority of her cosmetic and reconstructive procedures at this state of the art hospital.