1. During surgery, a surgical bra will be placed on you and your breasts will be bandaged. The bra is to remain intact until your first postoperative visit in the office. At this time, your provider will remove your bandages.
  2. You should check your nipples for color and temperature every 4 hours while awake. In order to do this, you may simply release the Velcro straps of your surgical bra. Your nipples should be warm and pink. Please notify the office if you notice that one or both of nipple/s are cool to the touch or a gray-ish or purple-ish color.
  3. Strip your JP drains every 2-4 hours while awake and record your measurements in milliliters every 12 hours on the record form the hospital provides for you.
  4. You may shower after your first postoperative visit. Shower with your back to the water source. The water may run over your breasts. It is OK for the tape to get wet. You may hook your drains to a lanyard when you shower. Following your shower, you may gently pat the tape dry with your clean towel before placing the surgical bra.
  5. It is expected that you will feel some soreness and heaviness in your breasts even with the use of appropriate pain medication.
  6. Wear a good support bra day and night except for showers for 3 months. This does not need to be the surgical bra. Parameters for acceptable bras will be reviewed at your post-op visits.
  7. Your stitches around your areola will be removed at four weeks post-operatively.
  8. Avoid any medications listed in your informed consent packet for 2 weeks prior to your surgery and 2 weeks post-operatively, as these medications may lead to an increase in bleeding.
  9. It is very important to not lift, push, or pull anything over 10 LBS for 5-6 weeks.
  10. Do not engage in strenuous physical activity or activities with repetitive motions for at least 5 weeks.
  11. Continue your prescribed antibiotics for the full 7-day course.
  12. Do not apply ice to your breasts until you are cleared by your provider to do so. Do not place heating pads to incisions.
  13. NO SMOKING for 8 weeks. Avoid being in a room with smokers. Smoking hinders the healing process.
  14. NO NSAIDS, vitamins or herbal supplements for 2 weeks prior and 2 weeks after surgery.
  15. Contact the office immediately if you notice any sudden increase in redness, swelling, excessive bleeding/drainage or pain at the surgical site.