BREAST LIFT / REDUCTION
***if you have also had an implant placed, ALSO read the instructions for breast augmentation
Dressings
GOING HOME: When you go home from the hospital you will have an ace wrap around your chest and underneath that a Surgilast with Gauze. You will also have steristrips on the incisions.
AFTER 36 HOURS: remove the ace wrap and and all of the gauze. You can remove all of this, but leave the steristips on the inicision alone. It is ok to SHOWER and get the steristrip wet. Pat dry. You can wear a sports bra (one that buttons or zippers in the front) IF YOU HAVE NOT HAD AN IMPLANT PLACED AT THE SAME TIME. If you have had an implant, please place the white strap back on (see breast augmentation instructions) but no sprots bra.
AFTER ONE WEEK:. Wear the sports bra all the time, even at night when you sleep. A sports bra that zippers or buttons in the front is preferable. Steristrips should fall off in the first week. If not, it is ok to remove them. You may have some small sutures at your incision site under the steristrips, leave these alone and they will fall out by themselves, or we can remove them at your next appointment. After the steristips fall off, you will start palcing brown tape on your incisions (see below)
AFTER ONE MONTH: ok to go bra shopping! Under wire bras are ok. You should wear a bra ALL THE TIME, especially a sports bra when you sleep to maintain the shape and prevent sagging.
Showering
AFTER SURGERY: Shower after 36 hours (1.5 days), then pat dry.
ONE MONTH: Only showers for one month. No tub baths, Jacuzzi or swimming for one month.
AFTER ONE MONTH: It is ok to go back to swimming.
Exercise and activity, driving
AFTER SURGERY: do not do anything except lay in bed and walk around the house twice a day and go to the restroom. Do not lift anything heavy. Do not do house work or chores. Do not drive for at least three days and if you are taking pain medication.
ONE WEEK: Ok to walk on the treadmill, elliptical at low speed, or walk outside You will get tired easily for the first month after the surgery! Listen to your body, and rest as needed.
ONE MONTH: Ok to resume regular exercise after a month, but listen to your body. If it hurts, don’t do it! It is ok to resume sexual activity after one month as well.
Diet
AFTER SURGERY: eat only bland foods in small quantities (soups, small sandwiches, rice) to prevent nausea. You can resume a normal diet when you feel like you can tolerate it (usually 36 hours)
ALCOHOL: do not drink alcohol for at least two weeks after surgery
Swelling
SWELLING: For one month you WILL have swollen, hard, large, and uneven breasts. This is totally normal. This may last up to 6 weeks. You can use bags of frozen peas or corn for the first few days if the coolness makes you feel better.
SIZE: One breast WILL be more swollen than the other, one WILL BE bigger than the other and higher than the other. This is normal and will get better.
DROPPING: The breast WILL continue to drop and take shape for 6 months.
ASSYMETRY: IF you have asymmetry before surgery, most of it will persist after surgery.
Pain
FIRST WEEK: take pain medication and muscle relaxant as needed. Loosen ace wrap and strap if needed. If you must cough or sneeze, hold a pillow tightly against your chest. You may have back pain as well, which will resolve with time and muscle relaxant.
ONE WEEK TO ONE MONTH: use over the counter medication and try to get off of the pain medication. It is ok to use Tylenol OTC. Avoid using asprin or motrin (ibuprofen) for one month.
AFTER ONE TO SIX WEEKS: you will notice electric shocks, itching, over sensitive skin and nipples and soreness on the sides. This is normal and will take upto 6 months to go away. Massage and bra use 24 hours a day will help. If the hypersensitivity becomes untolerable, please call us and we can prescribe medication to help.
Bloating
You may feel bloated and weight more on the scale. This will resolve in a few weeks and is normal. You will weigh more on the scale as well, this is due to the swelling and is normal.
Blisters
small fluid filled blisters may occur around the area of tape. This is due to the stretching of the skin. Remove the tape and do not pop the blisters. Leave them alone and they will resolve in a few weeks.
Constipation
This is due to the pain medication. Try to take cut back on the narcotic pain medication and use Tylenol OTC. Also use the colace. If this does not work , you can get some milk of mag over the counter, or drink a bottle of mag citrate. A ducolax suppository may also help. This is all available over the counter.
Stitches
most of your stitches are under the skin and will dissolve on their own. You may have some small sutures at your incision site under the steristrips, leave these alone and they will fall out by themselves, or we can remove them at your next appointment
Sleep
sleep on your back and in a propped up position for at least one week. A recliner will help. You can sleep on your side or on your stomach when it is comfortable. If you are having trouble sleeping, take a muscle relaxant before you go to bed, this should help.
Incision and scar
To help your incision heal better, after one week start placing the brown tape on your incision only if it is dry and not oozing Put vitamin E oil under or over the tape. Replace the tape every three days or if it gets dirty. Use this until the scar goes away or at least 6 months. Neosporin cream or antibiotic cream is not necessary. Your scar will be red for quite some time, this is normal. It may take a year or longer for the scar to totally fade.
Tanning
You should not tan your breasts for at least 3 months. They will be very sensitive and will burn easily. You should NOT tan your scar for at least a year. If you do go tanning, cover the scar with black tape and wear a bikini top or bra.
Depression
It is very common to become depressed after surgery. If this happens PLEASE LET US KNOW. We can treat you temporarily to get you through this time period. It is also very important to BE PATIENT. Please give your self at least 6 months to a year to achieve your results. |
