Breast Lift (Mastopexy) Post-Operative Instruction

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 unless approved by your surgeon.
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 car for 2 weeks; after 2 weeks, only drive car with automatic shift and power steering.
Do not drive until you have full range of motion with your arms.
Limit use of arms for 4-6 weeks.
No heavy lifting.
Avoid strenuous exercise and activities for 4-6 weeks.
Social and employment activities can be resumed in 7-14 days (this will vary depending on your type of work).

If drainage tubes have been placed, you may shower 48 hours after removal.
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.
Keep incisions clean and inspect daily for signs of infection.
No tub soaking while sutures or drains are in place.
Leave dressing on for length of time prescribed by your surgeon.
Wear your surgical bra 24/7 for 6 weeks post op (your surgeon may modify these instructions).

There may be postoperative pain, temporary bruising, discomfort, numbness, dry breast skin, swelling and discoloration.
May be some loss of sensation in the nipples.
Sagging breasts can recur with the aging process, pregnancy and weight changes.
Scars will fade in several months to a year.

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.