Breast Reduction surgery generally takes between four to six hours, as an outpatient surgery. Afterwards, you will spend some time in the Recovery Room of the surgical facility. When you wake up, you will have gauze dressing over your breasts, and a support bra. You will also have drains that leave the skin at the outer sides of your breasts. The nurse and/or the doctor will give you and your family drain-care instructions.
Do not be alarmed if you feel discomfort from bruising and swelling. This is a normal result of the surgery, particularly for the first 48 hours. Your cosmetic surgeon will prescribe medications to relieve this discomfort.
At your first office visit following surgery, the bandages or surgical bra will be replaced with a softer support bra, which you will wear all of the time, day and night, for three to four weeks. These will help your breasts to retain their new shape.
There would be no sutures to be removed. The Steristrips that are applied to your incisions will either fall off in about three week or you can gently remove them by then.
Your cosmetic surgeon will provide you with specific instructions for your recovery, including what medications to take and how to limit your activities.
§ After surgery the best comfortable position for the first 2-3 days is to be lying semi-reclined. Elevation of the upper body and chest reduces the swelling and aching of the breasts.
§ After one week you can sleep on your sides, and after two weeks, on your abdomen.
§ I encourage you to be mobile and not to be sedentary in order to reduce the chance of forming blood clots in your legs.
§ Some women develop back pain or muscle spasm as a result of sleeping propped up after breast surgery. If you experience this, put a heating pack on your back and have your family member massage your back.
§ Take your nausea medications about one hour before taking your antibiotics and pain medication in order to lessen the extent of nausea.
§ It is good to stay well hydrated, but avoid drinking too much plain water because it can make you more nauseated.
§ Avoid eating greasy or spicy foods for the first three days, and have anti-acids available if you get an upset stomach.
§ Your gauze dressings will be removed in two days and afterwards you will be able to take a shower and get your breasts wet. After showering, you should blow dry the steristrip paper tapes that cover your incisions so that they don’t come loose. You will be keeping them on for about three weeks.
§ Apply heavy lotion to your breast and abdominal skin away from your wounds to lessen the skin dryness that follows surgery.
§ Keep your drains in a position where they may not get caught and be accidentally removed. Keep a log of how much fluid is drained, twice daily. Usually, when the total volume of drainages subsides to less than 30 ccs per day, the drains will be removed by the nurse or the doctor.
§ Recovery varies for each patient, as will the timing for resuming exercise and normal physical activities. Although you will probably be able to return to work within two to four weeks, your cosmetic surgeon will instruct you to avoid heavy physical exertion, including heavy lifting, frequent bending, reaching high over shoulder, and jogging for the first five to eight weeks.
§ Do not wear underwire bras or sport bras for the first several weeks because they tend to cut into your incisions in the Inframammary fold and may push your breasts to set in a location too high. Your surgeon will tell you when you can get these bras. The best type of bra to wear during this period is a “sleep-in” bra. If you can’t find them, just get soft bras, and remove the underwire.
§ Be aware that your menstrual cycle may be altered for a month or two, but should return to normal.
§ You cannot get nipple or breast piercing, tattoos, or tan for at least six weeks after your surgery.
§ You can have sex after one week, as long as you don’t overly exert yourself, and keep your incision clean and dry for up to 3-4 weeks.
§ Be aware of doors when opening them. Often times, I hear women complain that after surgery they accidentally hit their breasts against them because they were not aware of the change in their body shape.
§ You cannot use a public pool, Jacuzzi, or go into the ocean for at least six weeks after surgery.
No comments:
Post a Comment