Breast Reduction Surgery/Breast Lift (Mastopsexy) Instructions Following Surgery

Immediately After Surgery

Rest quietly in bed after surgery, on your back, elevated with 1 – 2 extra pillows, for 48 hours. Do not lie on your stomach or sides for six weeks.
Ice packs should be applied to the breasts for the first 48 hours, then intermittently for one week. Frozen peas are a good alternative as they mould around the breasts well.
Stay in the company of a responsible adult for the first 24 hours.
You may feel some pain and/or pressure. This varies from person to person and will gradually subside. The medication your doctor prescribes for pain will help.
You will have a bandage/dressing on your breasts and you may have drains inserted. The drains are removed before you leave the hospital. The bandage is to stay intact for 1 – 2 days.
Expect to feel tired for 7 – 10 days after surgery, especially after anaesthetics.
Get adequate rest, in order not to increase blood pressure and prevent bleeding, decrease swelling and bruising.
Do not drive a car for six weeks. Check with Clinic staff before resuming driving.
Do not raise your arms above your shoulders or do any lifting for six weeks.
No alcohol for two weeks, if possible, as it increases swelling; or have only in moderation.

Do not sleep on your sides or stomach for six weeks, otherwise swelling and bruising may persist longer.

Stay in the company of a responsible adult for the first 24 hours.
For pain, take Panadeine Forte, one to two tablets every four to six hours (not more than eight per day). This will be prescribed by the Anaesthetist after surgery. If pain persists and cannot be relieved with the prescribed medication, please call the Clinic immediately.
Call the Clinic if one breast becomes more painful or swollen.
No driving or operating machinery after an anaesthetic or while on medications for pain.
Do not make any legal decisions while under the influence of medications or immediately after surgery.
Do not take Aspirin, Vitamin E, Anti-inflammatory medication or any medication containing Aspirin or Vitamin E for at least two weeks after surgery as this increases bleeding.
Commence hormone replacement therapy after discussing this with the doctor.
No smoking for at least two weeks after surgery to prevent coughing and possible bleeding and infection.

Do not get surgical area wet until instructed by the post-operative nurse. You may bath until you are given instructions to shower.
Dressings shall be removed approximately 3 – 5 days after surgery.
Cleanse all incision lines thoroughly with normal saline using cotton buds or gauze. Pat dry thoroughly with gauze. It is normal to have a small amount of ooze for the first few days.
Apply prescribed antibiotic ointment to incision lines.
Tape incision lines as instructed with wide steri-strips.
Cover with gauze or Melolin.
Tape breasts as instructed with Fixomull tape, then put on a sports bra which will be fitted and provided at your first post-operative visit. If you react to the tape, stop use immediately and use only dressings under the bra.
Follow this routine daily for 7 – 14 days as instructed.
Sutures (stitches) will be removed in 10 – 14 days (in most cases the sutures are dissolvable). You must continue taping and wearing the sports bra day and night for 4 – 6 weeks.

If blisters appear, clean with saline and apply antibiotic ointment.
Then apply an Opsite or Tegaderm dressing supplied by the nurse and leave intact.
Note it is best to leave the tape off for 1 – 2 days if the skin is red and blistered, to allow the skin to heal. Also, apply a soothing cream (e.g. Sorbolene) once healed.
Re-apply tape when skin is less irritated.

A light diet is best, not too rich, on the night after surgery, to avoid vomiting after anaesthetics.

During the first 48 hours, bed rest is recommended and is the most convenient position to apply ice compresses.
Continue taping and wearing of support bra for six weeks.
During the first five days after surgery, it is most important not to engage in any activity which will elevate the blood pressure and swelling, and possibly produce bruising under the skin and may cause bleeding.
Do not lift a baby or toddler for six weeks.
During the first seven days, you should restrict your normal activities, no housework, cooking, lifting, bending and no physical labour. Following the first office visit, you will be given further instructions regarding your activity level.
No heavy exercise or aerobics of any kind for six weeks. Do not participate in any sports involving upper body movements such as golf, tennis, swimming laps, horseback riding or bike or motorcycle riding.
No driving for two weeks. After this time, you may drive with caution and keep your arms low.
Slow walking is permitted, however avoid fast walking as bouncing and arm movements can increase swelling and bruising.
Exercise will increase swelling and bruising.
No flying for two weeks unless advised otherwise by your doctor.
Do not sit in the sun or heat for four weeks as this could cause excessive swelling and other problems. Do not expose the wounds to the sun as this can lead to increased pigmentation in scars.
Allow four to six weeks for major swelling to subside and for basic healing to take place.

Moderate discomfort and pain.
Moderate swelling.
Black and blue discolouration (bruising).
Possible adversely effected nipple sensations. This may be temporary, or in rare cases, permanent.
Scars that are red initially but which fade and soften over the next 3 – 6 months. Scarring takes approximately one year to mature.

Ice packs – or bendable gel packs. Frozen peas.
Antibiotic ointment will be prescribed by the surgeon and can be dispensed at the Hospital prior to discharge.

Please call the office for routine questions and to schedule follow-up visits.

For an emergency, please call Dr Luke Stradwick on 0423 506 792 or Allamanda Hospital Emergency Department on 07-5591 9400