It’s helpful to remind yourself that there will be some normal ups and downs after surgery.
VERY IMPORTANT: If you have excessive bleeding or pain, call Dr. Mosser or Dr. Facque at (415) 780-1515. You can reach them day or night by calling the normal office line.
YOUR FIRST 24 HOURS: If you are going home, a family member or friend must drive you because you have been sedated. Someone should stay overnight with you. If you choose to go to a postoperative center, they will provide transportation. If you have any questions, please ask one of our nursing staff.
DRESSINGS: Keep your dressings as clean and dry as possible. Don’t remove them unless instructed to do so.
ACTIVITY: Take it easy and pamper yourself. Try to avoid any straining. You may go to the bathroom, sit and watch TV, etc., but NO MATTER HOW GOOD YOU FEEL, DO NOT CLEAN THE HOUSE, REARRANGE THE ATTIC, ETC.! We do not want you to bleed and cause any more swelling and bruising than is unavoidable.
ICE PACKS: Cold or ice packs help to reduce swelling, bruising, and pain. Use frozen peas in the package or crush ice cubes and put the ice into a zip-lock bag. This should help, not hurt. If the ice feels uncomfortable, don’t use it as often. Before placing against the skin, put a cloth between your skin and the ice. Also, check the temperature on the back of your hand before placing it on the area you were operated on; sometimes you can inadvertently hurt your skin if you don’t check the temperature before placing it on the affected area.
SHOWERING: Do not shower until after the first visit with Dr. Mosser or Dr. Facque. They will take down your dressing, inspect the surgical area, and give you the go ahead to begin showering. Until that time, sponge bathe to keep clean. If you had a body or breast procedure, you may visit a hair salon to have your hair washed if you’d like.
DIET: If you have any postoperative nausea, carbonated sodas and dry crackers may settle the stomach. If nausea is severe, use the suppository. If you feel good, start with liquids and bland foods, and if those are well tolerated, progress to a regular diet. It is important that you avoid salt (sodium) during your recovery. Salt will increase your swelling and may prolong your recovery. Click here for a list of low-sodium meal choices.
SMOKING: Smoking reduces capillary flow in your skin. We advise you not to smoke at all during the first 21 days after surgery.
ALCOHOL: Alcohol dilates the blood vessels and could increase postoperative bleeding. Don’t drink until you have stopped taking prescription pain pills, the combination of pain pills and alcohol can be dangerous. Wait at least one week to drink alcohol after surgery.
DRIVING: This question has a few different aspects to it and ultimately, it is the patient who decides when the time is right, rather than our office. The only absolute requirement to return to driving, is that a patient has not taken pain medication within 12 hours of driving. After a patient is no longer under the influence of narcotics, a patient must evaluate for themselves if they believe they have all the necessary faculties to safely drive. These would include ability to completely rotate the neck and perform evasive maneuvers as needed, without hesitation. In this sense, once a patient feels comfortable to perform all the necessary aspects and duties of driving, they may consider doing so. For many individuals this occurs at approximately 10-14 days after surgery, although for some, depending on the nature of their operation and recovery, it may occur later.
7 days after top surgery
Take it easy
Be up and move around
Emptying and recording your drain output (if you got drains)
Going to your post-op appointment on the 6th or 7th day after surgery
8-14 days after surgery
You can take a shower
Continue to follow the dressings instructions you have been given for your nipple areas
Walking
15-21 days after surgery
Nipple cleanliness
Begin using band-aids on nipples
Walking
22-42 days after surgery
Cardio begins
Still can’t raise elbow up to or over shoulders if you’ve had
Avoid stretching the chest
43 days- 2-3 months after surgery
Back to normal life!
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