After your operation, it’s important to let your body rest for at least 48 hours to avoid bleeding or increased swelling. Don’t do any overhead lifting for 3 to 4 weeks. Drink plenty of water, and slowly progress to other clear liquids such as tea or juice. Drinking ginger ale is good for nausea. Eat light foods as you can tolerate, and resume your regular diet after 2 days.

Take medications according to the instructions on the bottle. If you’re taking strong narcotics, or if other pain medications make you feel “spacey” or drowsy, have a responsible adult administer your medicines according to proper time intervals. Under such circumstances there is a risk of accidental overdose, should you forget how much you’ve already taken. Advil or Ibuprofen may be taken between the prescription doses to help with inflammation and pain.

You may wear a soft cotton bra with a formed cup—sports bras are not recommended. You can expect moderate discomfort and burning sensations, a gradual increase in swelling, black and blue discoloration, and slight signs of pink to red discharge from incision sites.

Please call the office immediately if you are experiencing:

• Severe pain that does not respond to medication
• Dramatically increased swelling on either side
• Bright red spots on the bandages which continue to enlarge
• Uncontrollable nausea and vomiting
• Fever above 101 degrees
• If your bandages seem extremely tight

Avoid smoking or contact with smoke after your operation to prevent coughing, the possibility of bleeding, and delayed healing. Do not drink any alcohol for at least four days after surgery — it increases swelling and the possibility of bleeding.

For 2-4 weeks, avoid exercising and any strenuous activity. Even heavy housework will deprive you of the rest you need to fully recover, and exertion will also aggravate swelling. Wait two weeks to resume an active social life. Avoid aerobics, dancing, and other strenuous activities for about a month. Start these activities slowly and always wear a supportive bra. Avoid prolonged exposure to sun and heat for three months to avoid swelling and burns, and always use sunscreen.

You may shower after 1-2 days if you feel like it, but do not let the water directly hit your surgical area. We prefer Bacitracin ointment on the incisions. Please do not use Vitamin E because it slows down wound healing. Do not use anything that your friends and family think will help with wound healing or scaring. Only use what your doctor prescribes. As you are healing, we will continue to help you with the scars.

Your breasts will be sensitive to stimulation for approximately two weeks, so you might want to avoid sexual arousal during that time. Postoperative visits will be determined by your surgeon. We usually take stitches out the next week. Feel free to call us at any time — we want you to be as comfortable as possible during the healing period.