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.

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).

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

(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.