Plastic Surgery Instructions (Breast Reconstruction):
-Ok to shower 48 hours after surgery.
-When showering you can hold your drains, pin them to a belt around your waist, attach them to a lanyard or string around your neck, or a partner/family member can hold them. Do whatever is easiest for you.
-Wear your surgical bra at all times, except when showering.
-You can wash your surgical bra in the washing machine if it gets dirty.
-Leave all tapes and steri strips in place.
-Ok to change gauze pads (4×4’s) and ABD pads as they become soiled.
-Do Not apply a heating pad or ice to your surgical sites. After surgery you will have decreased sensation and heat/ice can result in a burn/frost bite without you feeling it.
-You may have some mild oozing from the incisions for the first few days. This is normal and slows over time.
-If one breast becomes significantly larger than the other one or you have dramatically increased pain in one breast you need to notify your surgeon. You may have developed a hematoma that needs drained.
DRAIN CARE:
- Strip your drains at least 3 times per day. If you use a small amount of soap/water or hand sanitizer on your hand while stripping the drain, it makes the process easier.
- Record the individual drain output daily. Bring the record to your follow-up appointment.
- Make sure the JP bulb is on suction by squeezing the bulb and then replacing the cap. When the bulb is suctioned and providing negative pressure, it should be slightly indented.
-If you had a nipple sparing procedure avoid any direct or excessive pressure on the nipple.
-Move your arms as usual. You may gently move your arms over your head and maintain their full range of motion. You may comb and blow dry your hair, brush your teeth, etc.
-Try to sleep/rest with your head and chest slightly elevated above the level of your lower body to help decrease swelling for the first few days after surgery. This can be accomplished with a few pillows.
-No heavy lifting (>10 lbs) for one week.
-No strenuous physical activity until cleared by Dr. DePerro.
-Take your pain medication with food (a few crackers are ok) to help prevent nausea.
-Pain medications can cause constipation. Take a gentle over the counter laxative (Milk of Magnesia, Colace, or Dulcolax) if you feel constipated.
-Do not take aspirin or ibuprofen for at least 2 weeks following surgery unless specifically instructed. This can lead to bleeding issues.
-Smoking causes multiple wound healing complications. It is very important that you do not smoke, and you are not around people that smoke for at least 6 weeks after surgery. Secondhand smoke is just as harmful as if you were to smoke.
-Be sure to walk at least 300 yards daily. This can be broken up in multiple short trips. It is OK and recommended that you walk more than the minimum of 300 yards. This will help prevent Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT’s/Blood Clots) and Pulmonary Embolisms (PE’s).
-Avoid exposing the scars to the sun for at least 6 to 12 months. When going outside, it is recommended that you use SPF 30 or greater over your surgical sites. All incisions will be extremely sensitive during the healing phase.