BREAST REDUCTION (REDUCTION MAMMAPLASTY)

INSTRUCTIONS

• Have someone drive you home after surgery and help you at home for 1-2 days.
• Get plenty of rest.
• Follow balanced diet.
• Decreased activity may promote constipation, so you may want to add more raw fruit to your diet, and be sure to increase fluid intake.
• Take pain medication as prescribed. Do not take aspirin or any products containing aspirin.
• Do not drink alcohol when taking pain medications.
• Even when not taking pain medications, no alcohol for 3 weeks as it causes fluid retention.
• If you are taking vitamins with iron, resume these as tolerated.
• Do not smoke, as smoking delays healing and increases the risk of complications.

ACTIVITIES

• Start walking as soon as possible, this helps to reduce swelling and lowers the chance of blood clots.
• Do not drive until you are no longer taking any pain medications (narcotics).
• Do not drive until you have full range of motion with your arms.
• Refrain from vigorous activity for 2-6 weeks. Increase activity gradually as tolerated.
• Avoid lifting anything over 5 pounds for 2 weeks.
• Resume social and employment activities in about 2 weeks (if not too strenuous).

INCISION CARE

• You may shower 48 hours after removal of the drainage tubes.
• Avoid exposing scars to sun for at least 12 months.
• Always use a strong sunblock, if sun exposure is unavoidable (SPF 30 or greater).
• Keep steri-strips on; replace if they come off.
• Keep incisions clean and inspect daily for signs of infection.
• No tub soaking while sutures or drains are in place.
• Wear your garment as directed Ð Usually until first post-operative appointment and exam.
• Avoid bras with stays and underwire for 4-6 weeks" a good athletic bra is needed for support.
• You may pad the incisions with gauze for comfort.
• If your breast skin is exceedingly dry after surgery, you can apply moisturizer several times daily, but be sure to keep the suture area dry.

WHAT TO EXPECT

• You will probably be discharged from surgery with a drainage tube from each breast.
• Incisions will be taped with steri-strips. Leave these in place until they fall off themselves or need to be changed. You can expect drainage onto the steri-strips.
• Maximum discomfort will occur the first few days after surgery.
• You may experience temporary soreness, bruising, swelling, and tightness in the breasts as well as discomfort in the incision area.
• You may not have sensation in the nipples. This usually returns as your body recovers.
• Your first menstruation following surgery may cause your breasts to swell and hurt.
• You may have random, shooting pains for a few months.

APPEARANCE

• Most of the discoloration and swelling will subside in 2-4 weeks.
• Your breasts will feel firm to the touch
• Scars may be red and angry looking for 6 months. In time, these usually soften and fade.

FOLLOW-UP CARE

• Drainage tubes will be removed either the day after surgery or when the drainage is decreased enough to safely remove, as decided by your surgeon.
• Sutures will be dissolvable and will be clipped to skin level on first clinic appointment.

WHEN TO CALL

• If you have increased swelling or bruising.
• If swelling and redness persist after a few days.
• If you have increased redness along the incision.
• If you have severe or increased pain not relieved by medication.
• If you have any side effects to medications; such as, rash, nausea, headache, vomiting.
• If you have an oral temperature over 100.4 degrees.
• If you have any yellowish or greenish drainage from the incisions or notice a foul odor.
• If you have bleeding from the incisions that is difficult to control with light pressure.
• If you have loss of feeling or motion.

FOR MEDICAL QUESTIONS, PLEASE CALL:

• (734) 998-6022, Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
• After hours and on weekends, call Hospital Paging at (734) 936-6267 and ask for the Plastic Surgeon on call.