Breast Reduction & Lift Guide
Please read these instructions carefully before your breast reduction or breast lift surgery at Evita Clinic. Proper preparation helps improve surgical safety, reduce complications, and support smoother healing.
Most Important Notes
- Fasting: Do not eat or drink anything, including water, for at least 6 hours before surgery.
- Smoking: Stop smoking at least 2 weeks before surgery and avoid smoking during recovery.
- Medical History: Please inform us about any medical conditions, allergies, medications, hormone therapy, previous breast disease, or previous breast surgery.
- GLP-1 Medications: Please inform our medical staff if you use Wegovy®, Ozempic®, Saxenda®, Mounjaro®, Zepbound®, or similar weight-loss medications.
- Breast Imaging: If you have a personal or family history of breast cancer or breast disease, preoperative imaging may be recommended.
- Transportation: Arrange transportation home after surgery. Do not drive yourself.
Before Surgery Checklist
Stop Smoking
Smoking reduces blood flow to healing tissues and increases the risk of infection, delayed wound healing, skin problems, nipple or skin circulation problems, and poor scar quality.
Please stop smoking at least 2 weeks before surgery and continue avoiding smoking during recovery.
Medical Conditions, Allergies and Current Medications
Please inform our medical staff if you have any significant medical conditions, allergies, or are currently taking any medications.
- High blood pressure
- Diabetes
- Heart disease
- Asthma
- Bleeding or clotting disorders
- Previous breast disease
- Previous breast surgery
- Antibiotic allergies
- Pain medication allergies
- Soybean (soy) allergies
- Previous anesthesia-related complications
Please also inform us about any prescription medications, hormone therapy, weight-loss medications, injections, or supplements you are currently using.
Medications and Weight-Loss Injections
Particular attention should be given to GLP-1 receptor agonist medications used for weight loss or diabetes treatment.
- Wegovy® (Semaglutide)
- Ozempic® (Semaglutide)
- Saxenda® (Liraglutide)
- Mounjaro® (Tirzepatide)
- Zepbound® (Tirzepatide)
These medications may slow stomach emptying and affect anesthesia safety, even when surgery is performed under IV sedation.
In most cases, weekly GLP-1 injections should be discontinued approximately 1 week before surgery. Our medical staff will provide individualized instructions based on your medication schedule.
Menstrual Cycle
Menstruation is not a contraindication to surgery, and breast reduction or breast lift surgery can usually be performed during your menstrual period.
However, many patients find recovery more comfortable when surgery is scheduled outside their menstrual period.
During menstruation, patients may experience increased breast tenderness, abdominal discomfort, fatigue, bloating, or swelling, which can make the early recovery period less comfortable.
If possible, we recommend avoiding surgery during heavy menstrual flow.
If your menstrual period is expected around the time of surgery, please inform our medical staff. In some situations, medication may be used to help adjust the timing of your menstrual cycle.
Breast Imaging and Medical History
Breast reduction or breast lift surgery does not routinely require breast ultrasound, mammography, CT scans, ECG, or blood testing in healthy patients.
However, patients with a personal or family history of breast cancer, breast disease, breast surgery, breast biopsies, or other breast-related concerns may benefit from preoperative imaging studies.
- Breast ultrasound (USG)
- Mammography
- Breast MRI or CT (when indicated)
These examinations may help document your preoperative breast condition and provide a useful baseline for future breast health evaluations.
Please inform our medical staff if you have a family history of breast cancer, previous breast disease, breast biopsies, nipple discharge, a breast mass, or any breast-related concerns.
Blood-Thinning Medications
Please inform our medical staff if you are taking prescription blood-thinning medications.
- Aspirin
- Plavix® (Clopidogrel)
- Warfarin® (Coumadin)
- Xarelto® (Rivaroxaban)
- Eliquis® (Apixaban)
- Pradaxa® (Dabigatran)
If these medications were prescribed by another physician, please consult both your prescribing physician and Evita Clinic before stopping them.
Shower and Prepare
Please shower the day before surgery and keep the surgical area clean.
Prepare loose-fitting, front-opening clothing that will be comfortable after surgery.
Begin Fasting
Do not eat or drink anything, including water, coffee, tea, juice, gum, candy, or mints.
Although breast reduction and breast lift surgery at Evita Clinic are typically performed under IV sedation rather than general anesthesia, the same fasting guidelines are applied for patient safety.
If You Become Sick Before Surgery
Please notify Evita Clinic if you develop any illness before surgery.
- Fever
- Flu symptoms
- COVID-19 symptoms
- Cough
- Sore throat
- Chest infection
- Skin infection
- Any rash, wound, or infection near the breast area
In some situations, surgery may need to be postponed for safety.
On the Day of Surgery
- Bring your passport or identification document.
- Wear loose, comfortable clothing.
- A button-front or zip-front top is recommended.
- Remove all jewelry and body piercings.
- Remove contact lenses before arriving.
- Avoid makeup, lotions, perfumes, and body creams.
- Do not drive yourself to or from the clinic.
- Please arrive at the scheduled time provided by the clinic.
Planning for Recovery
- Arrange transportation after surgery.
- Prepare comfortable front-opening clothing.
- Prepare pillows for sleeping in an elevated position.
- Plan for limited upper-body activity during early recovery.
- Avoid heavy lifting and strenuous arm movement during early recovery.
- If traveling internationally, arrange accommodations close to the clinic.
- You must return to Evita Clinic the day after surgery for your first postoperative check-up.
What to Expect After Surgery
- You will wear a surgical bra or compression garment after surgery.
- Swelling, bruising, tightness, and breast tenderness are common during early recovery.
- Drain placement may be needed depending on the surgical extent and your condition.
- Breast shape and scar appearance will continue to change during healing.
- Final scar maturation may take 12–18 months.
Important Note
Careful preparation before surgery is one of the best ways to support a safe procedure and smooth recovery. If you are uncertain about medications, smoking cessation, fasting instructions, menstrual scheduling, breast imaging, or travel arrangements, please contact Evita Clinic before your surgery date.