PRE SURGERY INSTRUCTIONS: BREAST REDUCTION
Several weeks following to the night before your surgery, you will need to prepare yourself and your body for the actual surgery procedure. During this time, there are several important considerations to be reminded of.
- Practice proper skincare. Making sure you are treating your skin properly is important in your appearance of your skin. This includes gentle cleansing to your face both morning and evening before you go to bed, proper moisturizing of face and use of sunscreen if expecting sun exposure.
- Good nutrition is always suggested. Eating a well balanced, healthy meal helps your overall well-being. Crash dieting, over eating, under eating or consumption of high alcohol is not recommended.
- Stop smoking! Smoking typically impairs your ability to heal fully and properly. You, the patient must be nicotine free for at least four weeks prior to your surgery. That includes, nicotine patches or any other nicotine based product.
- Lead a healthy lifestyle. Try to stay as healthy as possible. Try not to catch any colds or viruses. If you do, remember to inform your doctors and nurses performing the surgery/procedure.
- Prepare and Plan for your surgery day. Make sure you have scheduled time off from work, school or any other activities. Find a driver to take you to the hospital for your surgery and to pick you up when you have been released from surgery. Make certain to have help and support from friends and family with housework, childcare, shopping and driving if needed.
- Get Pre-operative treatment taken care of before the surgery day. Make sure to have all tests, procedures and clearances done that the surgeon has told you that you will need before your surgery can take place. DO NOT wait until the last minute.
- Fill any prescriptions that you will need before and after surgery. Make sure to get needed prescriptions filled.
- STOP taking the following five (5) days before your surgery date: Aspirin and medications containing aspirin- Coumadin or any other blood thinners, Ibuprofen and anti-inflammatory agents, Vitamin E, St. John's Wort, Garlic Supplements, Green Tea or extracts, Estrogen Supplements, all other medications indicated by your doctor.
- Make sure to have post surgery items. You may need Home Health or medical supplies at home after your surgery.
- DO NOT eat or drink after midnight- if your surgery is the next day (depending on your surgery time). No candy, gum, mints or excess water. Nothing more than a sip of water to take any needed medications.
- Arrive at the hospital on time! Typically, you will need to arrive 1.5 hours early for anesthesia. (Unless told otherwise)
POST SURGERY INSTRUCTIONS
Once your surgery is complete, you must follow all instructions given and told to you in order to heal properly and have a good outcome from surgery.
Symptoms to watch for:
- Tightness in the chest region
- Stiffness
- Tingling, burning or intermittent shooting pain
- Hypersensitivity of nipples, lack of sensitivity
- Feeling of heaviness
- A sloshing sound or sensation (feels like water moving around in your breast)
- Shiny skin or any itchy feeling
- Swelling
- Soreness or pain
- Asymmetry- the breasts look different of heal differently
CALL THE OFFICE IMMEDIATELY IF YOU EXPERIENCE:
- A high fever (over 101°F)
- Severe nausea and vomiting
- Continued dizziness or incoherent behavior
- Pain that cannot be controlled by pain medication
- Bright red skin that is hot to the touch
- Excessive bleeding or fluid seeping through the incisions
DAY OF SURGERY INSTRUCTIONS:
- You may apply cool compresses to the breast area to reduce swelling. Do no apply direct pressure. Do not apply ice or anything frozen to the breast area.
- Rest often, but remember to ambulate and move around every once in a while.
- Recline, but do not lie down.
- Do not stand fully upright when walking. Do not lie flat while lying down.
- Make sure to drink plenty of fluids and keep hydrated. Don't eat or drink fatty, carbonated, alcoholic beverages or food for the first few days. Stick to bland, nutritious food for the first twenty four (24) hours.
- Take all medication that was prescribed to you exactly how it is prescribed. That may include antibiotics, pain medication or any other regular medications you may take.
- Keep your incisions clean. They may seep fluid or a little blood for a short amount of time, but that is normal. You can clean them with a cotton ball that has been soaked in peroxide. Make sure to not purposely remove any crusting around your stitches.
- Wear your compression garment or abdominal binder as instructed. DO NOT SMOKE! Smoking impairs your healing.
FOLLOWING DAYS AFTER SURGERY:
You will progress each day that goes by, feeling better. Ease back into your daily activities.
- Make sure your post operative office visit is scheduled and make sure to be at that appointment.
- Continue to clean incision areas as directed. You may shower twenty four (24) hours after your surgery. Make sure to not rub the incisions or remove the steri-strips.
- Wear your abdominal garments or binder.
- Ease into an upright position; sitting, laying down or walking.
- Don't do any exercises, except walking.
- Start your massage therapy to the abdomen as directed by the doctor.
- Take antibiotics or other medications if they were prescribed or needed.
- DO NOT SMOKE or CONSUME ALCOHOL.
After your first post operative doctor's visit, it is recommended to continue with healthy skincare procedures. Follow up with your doctor as recommended or needed. Any questions or concerns can always be answered by calling the office.
