Post Operative Instructions

Post Op Instructions for Breast Surgery Patients


1. Ace Wrap

You will probably wake from surgery with your chest wrapped in an Ace wrap.   The wrap should be kept comfortably snug, and is important to reduce the risks of swelling, bleeding, and bruising.  If you have implants, it also helps keep them from moving while your body is in the early stages of healing.  It is likely that you will need to rewrap the Ace at least once a day (have a family member help you with this).   If it becomes soiled, we will give you a new one at your office visit.  If the material of the Ace wrap is irritating to your skin, you may wear a t-shirt or camisole under it.  Expect to wear this wrap almost continuously for at least 7 days or until told otherwise by your surgeon.


2. Drains

It may be necessary for one or more drain tubes to be placed during your surgery to help pull off excess fluid and blood.  The drain(s) usually need to stay in until the fluid output drops below 30cc/day.  You will need to keep a record of your drain output so that we will know when it is safe to remove it.  To do this, open the small cap at the top of the bulb, and pour the fluid into the small measuring cup you will receive at discharge from the hospital.   At this point, squeeze the bulb until it is completely collapsed and close the cap - this will put suction on the drain.   The bulb will slowly inflate as it draws the fluid from your incision site.   "Milking" the tubing is important to prevent the fluid from clogging and losing the ability to drain.


3. Incision site

You will probably have a clear plastic bandage over your incision, called a Tegaderm.  You may notice some dried blood along the incision - this is common, and you should leave the tegaderm in place until your office visit.  If you notice any signs of infection, such as localized redness, warmth, or cloudy drainage, or you develop a fever above 100.5 degrees, please notify the physician immediately.  If there is a gauze bandage over your incision, please leave that in place, unless there is excessive bleeding or drainage.


4. Abdominal Binder

If your surgery involves your abdomen you will wake up wearing either a hospital provided abdominal binder or a supportive garment which you have brought with you to surgery.  It is very important to continue to wear the binder or supportive garment almost continuously, typically for the first 4 weeks after surgery to reduce the risk of complications and promote proper healing.


5. Activity

For the first couple weeks after surgery, you need to take it very easy with your arms.  This means light lifting, only 5 lbs or less.  Also, we do not recommend any repetitive use of your arms, such as vacuuming. Gentle stretching exercises on a daily basis will be beneficial to prevent shoulder stiffness.  You may with use your arms for your daily care, such as brushing teeth, applying make-up, etc.

We encourage you to walk frequently - this will help to prevent a blood clot from developing in your legs.  Therefore it is important to stay active.  Each hour during the day you should walk at least a couple of laps throughout your house to reduce your chances of a blood clot occurring.


6. Bathing

Your surgical incisions need to remain dry, therefore do not shower until told to do so at your office visit.  If your surgery only involved your chest, you may sit in a shallow bath to wash off.  All incision sites need to remain dry, including the drain site.


7. Swelling

You can expect your breast to be slightly swollen for at least a week after surgery.  If you notice that one side begins to swell significantly more than the other, or if both sides become more swollen, tense or abnormally painful, notify the physician. Some small bruising is common after surgery.  However, if large areas of bruising develop, notify the physician.


8. Driving

You should not drive a car until you have completely stopped taking narcotic pain medicine, and you feel good enough to safely handle a vehicle in an emergency.


9. Antibiotic

You will probably receive a prescription for an antibiotic.  If you are discharged in time to fill the prescription, please do so and start taking it that same day.  You may want to eat some yogurt or buttermilk daily to lessen the chance of developing a yeast infection.


10. Pain

You should expect a moderate amount of pain after surgery.  Your physician will prescribe an appropriate pain medication.  Some medications such as Lortab and Percocet contain Tylenol, therefore you should not take any other medication containing Tylenol (Acetaminophen) while you are taking the pain medicine.  Too much Tylenol can damage your liver - you only have one liver, and you need it.

If you are able to take NSAID's (the class of medicine which includes ibuprofen, Motrin, Advil, and Aleve), you may find that alternating your narcotic pain medicine with some Advil or Aleve provides better pain relief than taking either one alone.


11. Diet

It is important to eat a balanced diet after surgery.  Protein (meat, fish, eggs, peanut butter) provides the building blocks your body will need to heal from surgery.   Fruits and vegetables provide the vitamins and minerals that are also needed for healing.   If you are taking a narcotic pain medicine, it may cause constipation - eating foods with fiber, and taking yogurt or probiotics, can help prevent this problem.




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