How to prepare for breast augmentation comes down to three stages. Before surgery, choose a qualified surgeon, ask detailed questions, stop smoking and certain medicines. On the day, wear loose, front-opening clothes and bring a driver. Afterwards, have support bras, easy outfits and help at home ready for the first days.
This checklist is part of our breast augmentation guide. You can print it and tick items off in the weeks before surgery.
Questions to ask your surgeon
The American Society of Plastic Surgeons lists 18 questions to ask before breast augmentation, covering training, implants, risks and future surgery.
These are the questions to ask about breast augmentation that the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS, US) recommends, grouped and shortened:
- Training and setting: Are you certified in plastic surgery, how many years of training have you had, do you have hospital privileges for this operation, and is the facility accredited?
- Suitability: Am I a good candidate, and what will be expected of me?
- The plan: What shape, size, surface texture, incision and placement do you recommend for me, and why?
- Recovery: How long will it take, and what help will I need?
- Risks: What are the risks, and how are complications handled?
- Long term: How many more implant-related operations can I expect over my lifetime? How will my breasts look after pregnancy, breastfeeding, or if implants are removed later?
- Results: Can I see before-and-after photos, and what result is realistic for me?
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) adds that implants aren’t lifetime devices and that insurance may not cover removal or screening scans, so ask about future costs too.
What to wear to consultation and surgery
For the consultation, wear something easy to remove; for surgery, wear loose, front-opening clothes and no jewellery, makeup or lotion.
Consultation
- A top that’s easy to take off for the examination and measurements
- A well-fitting bra you like, if you want to try sizers in it
- Photos of looks you like, ideally on a body type similar to yours
Surgery day
- A loose, zip-up or button-up top you don’t need to lift over your head
- Comfortable trousers and slip-on shoes
- No jewellery, makeup, nail polish or body lotion unless your clinic says otherwise
Before surgery checklist
Things to know before breast augmentation include stopping smoking, avoiding blood-thinning painkillers and arranging a driver and overnight help.
ASPS advises the following to prepare for breast augmentation:
- Have any blood tests your surgeon asks for.
- Review your medicines with your surgeon; some may need to be started, stopped or adjusted.
- Stop smoking before surgery.
- Avoid aspirin and anti-inflammatory drugs, which can increase bleeding.
- Stop recreational drug use.
- Confirm surgery is in an accredited surgical centre or hospital.
- Arrange someone to drive you home and stay with you at least the first night.
The National Health Service (NHS, UK) suggests planning one to two weeks off work and not driving for at least a week, so arrange cover for school runs, shopping and pets.
Packing list
What to pack for breast augmentation surgery is short: documents, medicines, a front-opening top, a support bra if requested and phone charger.
- ID, paperwork and your surgeon’s contact numbers
- A list of your current medicines
- The surgical or support bra your clinic asks you to bring
- Front-opening top and comfortable trousers
- A small pillow for the drive home
- Phone charger, lip balm and a water bottle
- Glasses instead of contact lenses
Post-op must-haves and outfits
Post breast augmentation, plan clothes that open at the front and a set-up that keeps everyday items within easy reach.
What to wear post breast augmentation is mostly about not lifting your arms. ASPS says you’ll wear a support bra or band around the clock as directed, and the NHS notes some surgeons advise a sports bra day and night for up to three months. How to dress after breast augmentation:
- Button-up shirts, zip hoodies and wrap tops
- Two front-closing recovery bras, so one can be washed
- Loose, pull-on trousers and slip-on shoes
At home, put items you use often at waist height and keep pillows ready to sleep propped up if your surgeon suggests it. Many patients tell me the most useful preparation was moving the kettle, phone charger and toiletries to a level they could reach without stretching. For what each week feels like, read our breast augmentation recovery timeline, and for size decisions, the guide to implant sizes.
Frequently Asked Questions
FAQ
Answers on how far ahead to prepare, stopping smoking, buying bras in advance and what to eat before breast augmentation.
How far ahead should I start preparing?
Start once you’ve booked a date. You’ll need time to stop smoking, review medicines with your surgeon, arrange time off work and line up someone to drive you and stay the first night. Shopping for recovery clothes can wait until the last week or two.
Do I need to stop smoking before breast augmentation?
Yes. ASPS advises quitting before surgery because smoking interferes with healing. Ask your surgeon how many weeks before and after surgery to stay smoke-free, and include vaping and nicotine products in that conversation.
Should I buy new bras before surgery?
Only the support or recovery bras your surgeon recommends. Implants take about three to six months to settle, and size and shape can change several times, so wait before buying everyday bras or a new wardrobe.
Can I eat before breast augmentation?
Follow your clinic’s fasting instructions exactly, because they depend on the anaesthetic. You’ll usually be told when to stop eating and drinking the night before or the morning of surgery. Ask whether to take your usual medicines with a sip of water.
If you’d like to go through these questions with a surgeon, you can book a consultation with Metropole Clinic by ABmedi. For implant types, costs and risks, return to our breast augmentation hub.
This article is for general education and does not replace a personal medical consultation.
References
Show sources
- Breast augmentation: questions to ask. American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS, US). Accessed 2026. plasticsurgery.org
- Breast augmentation: preparation. American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS, US). Accessed 2026. plasticsurgery.org
- Breast augmentation: recovery. American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS, US). Accessed 2026. plasticsurgery.org
- Breast enlargement (implants). National Health Service (NHS, UK). Reviewed 2023. nhs.uk
- Things to consider before getting breast implants. U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). 2023. fda.gov
- Mariotti ER. What does “drop and fluff” mean after breast augmentation? ASPS blog. 2022. plasticsurgery.org
