THE PRE-OPERATIVE SESSION™

PRE-OPERATIVE INSTRUCTIONS FOR BREAST SURGERY

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THREE WEEKS BEFORE SURGERY:

Laboratory and EKG (if they are required) must be done. If you are having your preoperative testing at a lab other than the one we suggested, you are responsible for having the written results of this testing arrive at our office one full week before surgery (our fax number is 585-271-4786).

A mammogram is required for any female at or over the age of 35 for any type of breast surgery.

SURGERY WILL NEED TO BE CANCELLED IF THERE IS ANY CHANCE THAT YOU ARE PREGNANT.

All fees are due, including surgical, facility and anesthesia.

TWO WEEKS BEFORE SURGERY:

Do not take any products containing aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medication or Vitamin E. Tylenol is acceptable.

Refrain from all nicotine products, including cigarettes, pipe tobacco, chew or Nicotine patch. Nicotine interferes with healthy circulation and may affect the result of your surgery. It also places you at higher risk of complication when receiving anesthesia.

ONE WEEK BEFORE SURGERY:

Do not drink alcohol for 1 week before and after surgery.

Please ensure that all laboratory tests and/or blood work has been completed by this time as ordered by the physician/nurse practitioner. Our fax number is 585-271-4786.

THE DAY BEFORE SURGERY:

Call (585) 267-8200 to obtain your arrival time for the day of surgery.

DO NOT EAT OR DRINK ANYTHING AFTER MIDNIGHT (This includes water and gum chewing). Surgery may be cancelled if this is not followed. A fasting state is required in order to receive sedation for surgery. The only exception is medication, which we instruct you to take with a sip of water the morning of surgery.

DAY OF SURGERY:

Go to suite 101 (Lindsay House Surgery Center).

You may shower and shampoo the morning of surgery. Do not wear makeup, hair sprays or gels, or nail polish. You may leave acrylic nails on.

Avoid clothing that must be pulled over the head. Please wear loose fitting clothing.

Do not wear jewelry, including body jewelry or bring valuables to surgery.

Do not use underarm deodorant.

If you have your menstrual cycle, please wear a feminine napkin. Do not wear a tampon.

POST-OPERATIVE INSTRUCTIONS FOR BREAST SURGERY

COMMON INSTRUCTIONS AFTER SURGERY:

A responsible adult must provide transportation for you after surgery (public transportation is not permissible).

A responsible adult must stay with you overnight and after your surgery until the morning following the procedure. If you are having several procedures, you may need or prefer assistance for 1-2 days following your procedure.

Avoid making major decisions or participating in activities that require judgment for 24 hours after surgery.

Do not drive for 24 hours after surgery or while you are taking pain medication.

Avoid any activities that cause pain or discomfort.

You are encouraged to walk around the house on the day of surgery and thereafter. This helps to prevent blood clots from developing in the legs.

Move/pump your legs frequently while lying down. This also helps in preventing blood clots from developing.

Wear the support stockings for at least 5 days after surgery or until fully active.

Use your incentive spirometer 10 every hour while awake for 5 days after surgery or until fully active. This is necessary to prevent post operative pneumonia or atelactasis.

Resume activities slowly. You may feel tired for the first few days.

Do not exercise for the first week. No vacuuming, tennis or pectoral exercises for 3 weeks. No jogging for 3 weeks. You may resume all activity after three weeks.

Drink plenty of fluids (8-10 glasses/day) for the first week to keep well hydrated.

If you have not urinated after 6 hours of being home from surgery, please contact our office.

Expect to have some incisional discomfort for the first 24 hours after surgery. Take your pain medication before your pain becomes severe.

Take all medications as instructed post operatively.

You may resume all of your medications after one week from the time of surgery.

Some bruising and swelling is normal. It is expected to take between 3-6 months to see your final results.

Avoid direct sunlight to the incision for at least 1 year. Use a sunscreen with zinc oxide with an SPF of 20 or greater to help decrease the visibility of the scar.

POST OPERATIVE INSTRUCTIONS FOR SPECIFIC BREAST PROCEDURES:

BREAST AUGMENTATION (IMPLANTS)

You may or may not have a gauze dressing over your breasts after surgery. You will have steri strips (adhesive bandage) in place over your incision. Please keep your dressing clean and dry. On post operative Day 3, you may take a shower, it is okay to get the steri strips wet, do not remove them. You can gently pat yourself dry with a towel or use a blow dryer (cool setting) to dry the steri strips. You may not wear a bra for a total of 3 weeks post operatively; this allows the breasts to fall naturally. Two days after surgery, you can apply Dr. Koenig's Post Breast Enhancement Oil on breasts but avoid incision line for at least 2 weeks. Apply 1-2 times daily with gentle massaging. This helps to ease pain, increase lymphatic circulation and nourish the skin.

BREAST MASTOPEXY (Breast Lift) and BREAST REDUCTION

You will have a support bra on after surgery; this will need to be worn continuously for the first 3 weeks. You will have a gauze pad/dressing over your breasts underneath the support bra. You should expect some drainage during the first 24 hours. You may change the gauze pads as needed. Keep the dressing dry. You may remove the dressing and shower after 5 days. There will be steri strips over your incision lines. It is okay to get them wet, you may gently pat dry with a towel or you can use a blow dryer (cool setting). Reapply your bra after showering. Do not remove the steri strips.

CALL OUR OFFICE IF YOU DEVELOP ANY OF THE FOLLOWING:

Fever of 101 degrees F or greater.

Pain not relieved with pain medication.

Swelling, redness, bleeding, and/or foul drainage from an incision site.

Persistent nausea and/or vomiting.

Any other concerns.

Office Telephone #: 585-244-1000

Physician pager #: 585-258-4851

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Copyright 2010 Quatela Center for Plastic Surgery