Your surgery at Victoriakliniken

You can also contact us via our email address. [email protected] we are happy to assist for personalized service, though we hope that most of your questions have already been answered on our website. Please note, however, that specific questions regarding your individual needs and preferences are often best discussed in person during a consultation at the clinic.

Some questions that are helpful to consider before a surgery are:

• Why do I want to undergo surgery?
• Am I doing this for myself or for someone else?
• What do I expect from the surgery?

Preparing for your surgery

During the consultation, you will be asked to fill out a questionnaire, including a health declaration and your contact information. This form is important, and we ask that you complete it carefully.

Här följer ytterligare information och råd samt hur du bäst förbereder dig för operationsdagen:

• Your anesthesiologist, whom you will also meet on the day of surgery, will call you the week before the procedure. The anesthesiologist will explain how the anesthesia works, and you will have the opportunity to ask questions. The anesthesiologist may want to meet with you before the surgery, and sometimes an EKG, chest X-ray, or lab tests may be required.
• If you are being treated for high blood pressure, you should have it checked by your district nurse about a month before surgery so that we know it is not elevated. If you are taking blood pressure medication, continue taking it as usual unless otherwise instructed.

• Din narkosläkare, som du även träffar på operationsdagen, kommer att ringa dig veckan före operationen. Narkosläkaren kommer att förklara hur narkosen fungerar och du får möjlighet att ställa frågor. Narkosläkaren kan eventuellt vilja träffa dig innan operationen, och ibland kan EKG, lungröntgen eller provtagning behövas.
• Medications containing acetylsalicylic acid (ASA), such as Magnecyl, Bamyl, and Treo, are not allowed two weeks before and two weeks after surgery, as they increase the risk of bleeding. Supplements with vitamin E, Omega-3, or garlic should also be avoided for the same reason.
• Painkillers that are safe to take include Alvedon, Panodil, Citodon, or Distalgesic.
• Good physical condition combined with a healthy diet creates better conditions for a faster and smoother recovery after surgery. It is beneficial to take iron supplements, minerals, and vitamins (except vitamin E).
• Lymphatic drainage treatment (LPG, Endermology) is recommended both before and after facial surgeries as well as after liposuction across the body. The treatment reduces swelling post-surgery and accelerates the healing process by stimulating lymph flow in the tissue, aiding in the removal of fluid and waste products.
• Shower and thoroughly wash your entire body, including your hair, both the evening before surgery and again on the morning of your procedure. However, avoid applying any lotion or moisturizer afterward. Be sure to clean your navel carefully as well.
• You only need to bring a toiletry bag with your personal hygiene items and, if you wish, your mobile phone or tablet to listen to music, watch a movie, or read. We provide everything else you might need. Please avoid wearing contact lenses and leave your jewelry at home. If you have any piercings, it’s very important to remove them the day before surgery so you can shower and clean thoroughly without them.
• You must not eat or drink anything from midnight on the night before your arrival at the clinic. However, this restriction does not apply to procedures performed under local anesthesia.
• Wear comfortable clothing and shoes suited to the procedure you’ll be undergoing. After surgery, you may feel stiff and find it challenging to move, so choose attire that will be easy to put on and wear post-operation.
• Plan to have a friend or family member available to accompany you home, as you are not permitted to drive for 48 hours after the surgery.

Diet and Exercise

The choice of technique depends on several factors, including, of course, the patient’s preferences, as well as the physical conditions unique to each individual. Following breast reconstruction, minor adjustments may sometimes be necessary at a later stage to achieve the most satisfying result. This can include, for example, implant replacement, fat transfer, or surgery on the natural breast to enhance symmetry between the breasts.

At Victoriakliniken, secondary breast reconstruction with implants is performed, as well as prophylactic/risk-reducing mastectomy with implant reconstruction and all types of adjustment surgeries following previous breast reconstruction with implants or flap technique.

Regular exercise combined with a balanced diet is truly the best way to feel good—both physically and mentally. In addition to building strength and improving endurance and oxygenation, exercise releases endorphins that enhance a positive outlook on life. It also boosts metabolism and calorie burning, making it easier to maintain a healthy weight, helps the body eliminate toxins, and reduces muscle tension. This, in turn, alleviates muscle-related pain such as tension headaches, neck and shoulder issues, and arm numbness.

If possible, we recommend incorporating exercise, stretching, and ideally massage treatments before your surgery to improve posture, reduce muscle tension, and build strength. For six weeks following your procedure, heavy exercise is not permitted—only gentle movement exercises and light stretching are advised during this period.

The stronger and healthier a patient is at the time of surgery, the lower the risk of potential complications.

Surgery Day

You are welcome to arrive at the clinic on the morning of your surgery, where you will meet with your plastic surgeon. Please ensure that you have fasted as instructed and have followed all specific preparation guidelines provided in your pre-surgery documents. Together with your surgeon, you will review the planned procedure and discuss the expected results once more. Of course, there will be time to address any additional questions you may have.

Next, we will take photographs of the area to be operated on. These pre-surgery photos help us assess the results at your follow-up appointment six months later. The images are part of your medical record and are, of course, entirely confidential.
Then comes the most crucial part of your pre-surgery preparations: a detailed marking and final planning of the area to be operated on. Once this is complete, a nurse will be there to guide you to your room and assist with the final preparations before surgery.

Your anesthesiologist, who has previously spoken with you by phone, will now explain how your anesthesia will be administered and what you can expect to feel after the surgery. You’ll also have another opportunity to ask any remaining questions.

While waiting for your surgery, you are welcome to walk around the clinic or rest in your bed—feel free to read, listen to music, or simply relax. About an hour before your procedure, your nurse will provide you with a mild sedative to help you feel calm and comfortable.

After surgery, you may feel a bit chilly. This is usually due to a combination of mild cooling during the procedure and your body processing the medications administered during surgery. To ease this sensation, your bed will be warmed to keep you comfortable as you recover.

You may also experience mild nausea after the procedure. You will receive medication to help prevent this, but it’s still best to take care and avoid eating or drinking too soon after surgery.

Some patients experience pain after surgery. Our goal is, of course, to ensure you feel as comfortable as possible with minimal pain. Effective pain management is tailored individually, providing just the right amount of medication to relieve discomfort without causing side effects like nausea or excessive fatigue. Our team has extensive experience in this area, creating the best possible conditions for a smooth and comfortable first day after surgery.

After Your Surgery

With a normal healing process, you’ll feel a little better each day, though it’s natural to feel sore and tired for a few days after your surgery.

All patients experience some level of discomfort or pain after surgery, though the intensity varies greatly from person to person. Pain relief medications are provided, and it’s important to take them as directed by your nurse. This helps prevent pain from escalating to a level that can be harder to manage. After about a week, the most intense discomfort usually subsides, though you may still feel tender to the touch.

Pain relief tablets containing acetylsalicylic acid (ASA), vitamin E supplements, and foods like garlic should be avoided during the first few weeks after surgery, as they can increase the risk of bleeding.

The operated area will swell, reaching peak swelling around 2–4 days post-surgery. To help reduce swelling and bruising, it’s beneficial to use cold compresses and to keep the operated area elevated while sleeping during the first few days after surgery.

If, after a few days, you experience increasing pain, redness, fever, or significant swelling in the surgical area, please contact the clinic, your plastic surgeon directly, or the emergency line.

Some patients may feel a bit low in the days following surgery. This is completely normal, especially when swelling and bruising make it hard to recognize yourself.

Maintaining good hygiene with clean hands is essential to reduce the risk of infection. How long you’ll need to wait before showering after surgery depends on the type of procedure you’ve had, and you’ll receive specific instructions on this during your consultation or on the day of surgery. You should keep the surgical tape closest to the wound in place, even while showering. If your procedure involves the head area, we will assist you with hair washing at the clinic within the first 24 hours.

Stitches are generally removed from the face within a week, and from the body within two to three weeks. After stitch removal, it’s recommended to tape the scars with surgical tape for up to six months post-procedure. Replace the tape only when it naturally loosens, usually within one to two weeks. If any redness or irritation develops under the tape, remove it and allow the area to air out until the irritation subsides. It is safe to wash the area gently with soap and water.

Most patients return to work after about two weeks, but it’s important to take it easy in the initial days after surgery to support healing. Gentle movement is encouraged, but avoid any strenuous physical activity. Light exercise can usually be resumed after about three weeks, though more detailed guidance will be provided at your follow-up appointments.

If you have a support bandage, it is typically worn both day and night for the first three weeks, and then during the day as much as possible. In some cases, the support bandage should be used for up to three months following the procedure.

Avoid exposing bruises to the sun until they have fully disappeared. Scars should also be covered with tape or a high-SPF sunscreen to prevent pigment changes.

If you have had surgery around the eyes, avoid wearing contact lenses for the first three weeks post-procedure. In some cases, significant swelling or irritation of the eye membrane may occur. If this happens, please contact the clinic for guidance.

Lymphatic drainage therapy, also known as endermology, is a recommended treatment both before and after liposuction or facial surgery. This therapy reduces post-surgical swelling and accelerates the healing process by stimulating the lymphatic channels, which helps to remove toxins and waste products from the body.

Smoking impairs healing and increases the risk of complications. For certain procedures, such as facelifts and tummy tucks, it’s essential to avoid smoking for four weeks before and four weeks after surgery. Additionally, avoid alcohol, steam baths, and saunas for the first few months post-surgery, as these can increase swelling and prolong the healing process.

It’s important to remember that the final results cannot be fully assessed until at least six months after surgery, and in some areas of the body, it may take even longer. Initially, scars are often red, and the tissue around the surgical area may feel firm. Temporary changes in sensation are also common, typically resolving within three to six months.

Contact us by phone or email to schedule a follow-up appointment with your plastic surgeon approximately six months after your surgery. This visit gives us the opportunity to review the photos taken before your procedure and assess the final results together with you.

You are always welcome to reach out to your plastic surgeon or nurse if you have any concerns or questions.

Risks Associated with Surgery