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After Surgery

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The first night after surgery, you will experience temporary swelling, bruising, pain, tightness, and numbness in the areas where surgery was performed. The first night is the worst (TRUST US).  You will notice a change in the appearance of your breasts right away. Their shape will continue to change and settle over the next few months.

 

Your breasts will likely be covered with gauze and a surgical support bra. Small tubes might be placed at the incision sites in your breasts to drain any excess blood or fluid. The pain and discomfort can be controlled with medication. Your surgeon will prescribe antibiotics, anticoagulants, and pain medication for you to take.

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The day after your surgery our nurses will help you shower or sponge bathe (depending on how you feel and the procedure you got), and evaluate your dressings and the operation sites. You will have your first control appointment with your surgeon and then you will go back to the hotel. Avoid straining, bending, and lifting. Sleep on your back or your side to keep pressure off your breasts.

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The first week after your surgery, You will have a second control appointment with your doctor on Day 3 and then another on Day 7. If drainage tubes were placed near your incisions, these will be removed within a few days, your bandages will also be removed or changed at this time. You will still have to wear your surgical support bra 24/7. 

 

At this point, you will still be swollen and bruised. Your body is still recovering. Some post-operative patients may notice bruising for several weeks after surgery. It can take anywhere from a week to several weeks for the bruising to go away completely.  Sun exposure to the bruises can promote darkening of the areas and delay the lightening process. Breast lifts may change the normal feeling in your breast. But in time, some feelings may return. 
 

We will accompany you on walks each day. Every day we will walk a little more than we did the day before. Walking boosts blood flow and helps prevent pneumonia and constipation.

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The first month after your surgery, if you are still feeling tired, and a bit sore at this point, don´t worry, it will take a few weeks or months to feel completely like yourself again after surgery.  Post-operative swelling can last for several months, you should be able to see your full, final results within 3 - 6 months of the procedure. Your incisions should be fully healed but it is possible that the scars will still be red and raised, don´t worry, eventually, they will become flat and fade. 

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For about 2 to 3 weeks after surgery, or until your doctor says it's okay, avoid lifting anything that would make you strain. This may include heavy grocery bags and milk containers, a heavy briefcase or backpack, cat litter or dog food bags, a vacuum cleaner, or a child. Do not lift anything over your head for 2 to 3 weeks.

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This period is often called the “roller coaster” time period because you will go through mixed emotions of excitement, frustration, and happiness as you come to grips with your new body and the overall recovery process.  Almost all patients go through this period of discovery, learning, and healing. You must keep looking forward and realize that over the next several months you will begin to enjoy your new body and its dramatic transformation from surgery.

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All of this information and more will be discussed with you during your initial consultation with one of our surgeons. If you have any additional questions we will be happy to answer them over a quick phone call, text, or email.