Tram Flap Breast Reconstruction Post-Operative Instructions

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).
Unless stated on this form, discuss your time off work with your surgeon.
No driving for 3-4 weeks. When abdominal area will allow for sudden braking, you may resume driving.
No heavy lifting for 6 weeks.

You may shower 48 hours after removal of the drainage tubes.
You may shower 48 hours postoperatively if you are without IV's or drainage tubes.
No tub soaking while the sutures or drains are in place.
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.
You may apply cool compresses to the abdominal area but not to the breast area. Do not use a heating pad; heat may burn the area.
Do not wear a bra.
Sleep with pillows under knee (some women choose to sleep in a recliner or lounge chair).

Maximum discomfort will occur the first few days following surgery; you may experience incision discomfort and generalized discomfort in your breasts and abdomen.
Oozing can be expected.

A new breast(s) mound(s) will be constructed with sutures around the outer edges.
The abdomen will be tight and much flatter in appearance.
The majority of swelling will subside in 3-4 weeks, but some swelling may persist for up to 3 months.
You will walk bent over and will slowly rise over the first 1-2 weeks.

Sutures will remain in place for 7-10 days.
Remaining sutures will be removed 10-14 days following surgery, during your second postoperative Clinic visit.
Your third postoperative visit will be scheduled somewhere between 4-6 weeks following suture removal.

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.