No Smoking or Alcohol Consumption

Smoking, vaping, or other forms of nicotine consumption will disrupt wound healing. Do not consume any nicotine or alcohol for at least 3 weeks after surgery.

Position and Sleeping

For the first week, try to sleep on your back rather than your side if you can. Do not sleep on your front.

If you are a tummy or side sleeper, you may find it difficult in the first week when you need to be sleeping on your back. We recommend ensuring you have some supportive pillows and adjust you position as needed without lying on your breasts which will be tender.

Medication

An oral pain medication plan will be prescribed for you. For the first 24-48 hours after surgery take paracetamol every 4-6 hours. Additional medication for more severe pain will be prescribed as needed.

Dressings

You will have dressings applied in theatre which will remain until your first follow up appointment. Leave them intact and do not touch your incisions. Your incisions may seep fluid and some blood onto the dressings for a short time after surgery, but this is normal.

Wear your compression garment 24/7. You may take off the compression garment off to shower and launder. You can wear a singlet with built in bra at night after two weeks. Continue to wear the compression garmens for 6 weeks.

Showering

You will have waterproof dressings so that you can shower. You may have a light shower with the flow of water directed at your back or away from the dressings. After the shower, you can pat dry with a towel or air-dry, but do not rub your breasts or touch the incisions. You can apply a fragrance-free moisturizer to breast and surrounding skin, but not on the incisions. You can also use deodorant. Do not remove the dressings, tape or steri-strips. These will be changed at your follow up appointment. If however your dressings become soaked, they will need to be replaced so please contact the office immediately.

Drains

If you have drains: follow the drain care instructions provided to you. During your hospital stay, a nurse will show you how to operate the drain, empty the drain, and record the amount of fluid from the drain. When showering, you should secure the drains with a so that they are not dangling down. 

Work, Activity and Exercise

Following discharge you will be able to walk around your home and to the bathroom. You will need to avoid caring for others and doing any housework.  After a few days to 1 week you will be able to take a gentle walk. Strenuous exercise and heavy lifting are to be avoided for 3-4 weeks and you will need to gradually upgrade the intensity when you do resume more vigorous exercise. You will need to take approximately 2 weeks off work, and sometimes more depending on the nature of your work. You will need to avoid swimming until your wounds have healed completely with no open areas, generally by 2-3 weeks.

Driving

Avoid driving until you are pain free, not taking any prescription pain medication and are feeling comfortable. Depending on your procedure this may be 1-4 weeks.

Scar Management

This will be discussed at your follow up appointments. Generally, your wounds will be healed at 2 weeks and you can start scar management. This involves:

• UV protection – new scars are particularly sensitive to the sun and take approximately 1 year to fade. They must be protected from the sun at all times so use an SPF 30 sunscreen as well as light coverage.
• Compression – once healed you can tape your scars with Hypafix (or similar) or Micropore tape for 3 weeks and then apply Strataderm. Compression helps the scars to heal flat and soft.
• Massage – massaging with a silicon gel (eg Strataderm) can help scars to soften and flatten. Alternatives such as sorbolene cream or vitamin E cream/oil are also fine to use for massage.

Follow-up

The office will call you to schedule your post-operative office visit, which should take place about 1 week after surgery. At this time, we will examine you to make sure everything is going well. We may show you how to change your dressing and how to care for your scars at this time. We will then see you at 1 month (3 months if needed), 6 months and 1 year post surgery. Naturally, should you be worried at any time, we are always available to see you immediately.

Keeping Appointments

Treatment does not end with surgery and Dr Taylor will need to see you regularly after your surgery. It is very important that you attend these appointments so that your progress can be monitored carefully and any problems can be recognised early and dealt with.