Ever heard of R24R? Find out what it refers to

24h recovery, fast track recovery, ultra-fast recovery mammaplasty or R24R

Do these words sound like a great innovation and a great novelty in plastic surgery? Well, it is not!

This technique, currently in vogue and mediatized in the media and social networks, was described more than 20 years ago, between 2002 and 2008, and has been performed in our clinic since 2012, for more than 10 years.

The technique has been described in several articles, first by American plastic surgeon John Tebbets and also by William Adams (Tebbetts Achieving a predictable 24-hour return to normal activities after breast augmentation: part II. Patient preparation, refined surgical techniques, and instrumentation - PubMed (nih.gov) Plast Reconstr Surgery 2006 Dec;118(7 Suppl):115S-27S; discussion 128S-129S, 130S-132S).

What is the 24h recovery, fast track recovery, ultra-fast recovery mammaplasty, or R242R technique?

The primary objective of the studies performed, was not necessarily to decrease the recovery time, but to study techniques that would make the surgery safer. Through this study, methods were developed that optimized the safety of the surgery and also the recovery time.

How is the 24-hour recovery technique, fast track recovery, ultra-fast recovery mammoplasty, or R24R performed?

At LMR, we have been using this surgical method for more than 10 years, with experience and results proven by the low percentage of complications. More important than a fast recovery period, is to have a very low complication rate during surgery: this is especially true in our clinic, due to adaptations and improvements that we have introduced over time since we started using this technique. Such is our confidence in our work method, that we created the AFTERCARE plan, unique, to date, in plastic surgery clinics in Portugal.

The 24-hour recovery technique, fast track recovery, ultra-fast recovery mammoplasty, or R24R is the technique that we have used in all our breast augmentation surgeries and that we have extrapolated to other breast surgeries as well. For this technique to be successful, planning is necessary for all phases: consultation, surgery, and post-operative.

Before and After Cases

In MRL we follow the following method:

In order to decrease operative time and indecision at the time of surgery, we use the Vectra software in the consultation (link directly to the simulation page with Vectra), which makes an assessment of the patient's characteristics, helping, together with the simulation, to decide which implant best suits the woman;

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The surgery is performed as an outpatient procedure, that is, the patient is discharged on the same day, generally four to six hours after the surgery, after recovery accompanied by the operating room team, to ensure that she meets all the criteria for safe discharge;
The anesthesia used is local anesthesia with sedation, and drugs are used to prevent nausea, vomiting, pain, and infections in the post-operative period;
During the surgery (which lasts about 45 min), surgical maneuvers are performed as atraumatically as possible. Each operative gesture is performed with delicacy and precision by our surgeons, using instruments specially designed for this surgery;
Hemostasis (a set of techniques to reduce bleeding) is a fundamental step for the success of the surgery and is performed in a meticulous and systematic way. Whenever necessary, medications are used to help reduce the risk of bleeding.
Before the implant is inserted, the "sizer", or a mold identical to the implant itself, is tried out to check the result, to make sure that it is the right implant for the woman's body and tissues. The "pocket" created for the implant is instilled with antibacterial solutions, and the implants are washed in triple antibiotic therapy;
Before the surgery is completed, a local block with a long-acting anesthetic is done to decrease pain in the immediate post-operative period;
Drains are rarely used, and if they are needed, never for a period longer than 24H;
In the post-operative period, before discharge, a "medication kit" is provided with all the necessary drugs to ensure the most comfortable post-operative period possible;
The sutures used are resorbable, and there are no stitches to be removed. We also do not use dressings, but surgical glue, which allows our patients to shower the day after surgery;
We have a multidisciplinary team of anesthesiologists, surgeons, nurses, and physical therapists at our Clinic, prepared for the different phases of recovery from surgery, in order to provide support throughout the process.

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Restraint in the post-operative period:

Although the vast majority of our patients are able to perform normal activities shortly after surgery, we advise that there be some restraint in the post-operative period. Many of our patients have small children or professional activities that require some physical effort, and we recommend that they allow a week for recovery.
As much as we would like to talk about an ultra-fast recovery, we cannot underestimate the SAFETY of the surgery. One of the biggest risks in the first 48 hours after surgery is hematomas. No matter how well the surgery is performed, it has been shown that physical exertion or abrupt physical movements can trigger bleeding. A hematoma can force another trip to the operating room and prolong recovery.
Furthermore, although it is true that there are a number of surgical improvements in recent years that allow a faster recovery than before, and although it is true that talking about 24-hour, R24R, or ultra-fast recovery is more than an appealing name for marketing techniques, we cannot forget that surgery is a surgery, with possible risks and complications, and that it should be analyzed with the seriousness it requires.
Each body is one body, and each case is one case. While it is true that most women go through the surgery in a very comfortable way, it can also happen that this is not so, and it is necessary to plan the surgery contemplating time to recover in a calm way, so as not to precipitate unnecessary complications. The recovery time for a breast augmentation always ends up being at least 4 weeks. In the initial phase, there is a lot of edema, and you should not exercise for the first four weeks to decrease the risk of hematomas and seromas. Wanting to rush recovery can be counterproductive and end up bringing more complications in the short/medium term.
Our goal is for recovery to be as comfortable and quick as possible, but always prioritizing safety and low complications. More important than a quick recovery is that everything goes smoothly, without avoidable complications.
Our plastic surgery clinic in Lisbon is equipped with the most modern technologies in this area and we have a multidisciplinary, experienced, and human team available to help you achieve your goals.

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Some Examples of Before and After Augmentation Mammoplasty

Clinical Case #13499

Clinical Case #13538

Clinical Case #10582

Clinical Case #17067

See more before and after cases

Important note:

In case this article presents before and after photos please consider them merely demonstrative and may not serve as a reference for your particular case. These images are only to show possible results for one or several surgical procedures. The images we use are of patients who have consented to their use. Any images do not represent a guarantee of results.

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Ever heard of R24R? Find out what it refers to

Sobre a Médica Especialista
Dr. Luísa Magalhães Ramos / Plastic Surgery

PORTUGUESE MEDICAL ASSOCIATION, Nr. 42810

Graduated by the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Porto, she specialized in plastic, reconstructive and aesthetic surgery, at Hospital de São José, in Lisbon.

Throughout her training, she subspecialized in aesthetic plastic surgery, having worked in world-renowned clinics.

Currently, she is mainly dedicated to face and breast aesthetic plastic surgery and to intimate female surgery.