Augmentation Mammoplasty, Dr. David Dibbell
Augmentation mammoplasty is done to increase your breast size by inserting breast implants.
Before Surgery
- Plan to take off work for 5 days. This depends on the type of work you do. If you do physical work, you may have to take off more time.
- Do your household and outdoor chores ahead of time or make plans for someone to help you.
- Have meals ready that are easy to prepare.
- Arrange for someone to watch your children.
- Plan to take it easy for 3 weeks.
After Surgery
Day 1
- Wear a sport bra for the first 24 hours (overnight).
- Wear comfortable clothing.
- Stay quiet, resting for the first 24 hours. Excess movement may cause you to bleed.
- Do not drive for the first 24 hours.
- Look at the incisions every 4-6 hours for the first day. You may either have a dressing over the area or steri-strips.
- If you have steri-strips, you need to keep the area dry, but look at it for any signs of drainage.
- If you have a dressing, you may see some bloody drainage the size of a quarter, and swelling the size of a small bruise. If there is excess bleeding or swelling, call your doctor.
- Take your medicine as ordered. Do not take any aspirin or aspirin-containing products, ibuprofen, or herbal supplements until your doctor says it is okay. (Most often 4 weeks.)
- Take a sponge bath only.
- Eat small well-balanced meals and drink plenty of fluids. Do not drink alcoholic drinks even beer or wine. They do not mix well with the medicine/anesthesia you were given and may make you sick.
Day 2
- Call your surgeon’s mid-level provider to report how you feel. You may leave a message
- Remain quiet, but you may increase your activities around your home. Do not do things using your elbows, like vacuuming, cleaning, swimming, lifting more than 25 pounds, or running.
- Take your temperature. Call your doctor if it is greater than 101º F.
- Look at your incision two times a day to note any signs of infection. The signs of infection are
- Area becomes red and warm to the touch
- Drainage is cloudy or pus-like
- Excess swelling occur
- Bleeding
- Keep your incision clean.
- If you have steri-strips, keep them clean and dry. They will fall off the incision in about 72 hours.
- If you have sutures (stitches), clean your incisions gently twice a day with mild soap and water. This will help prevent infection and keep incisions clear of crusts.
After Day 2
- After 72 hours, you may shower.
- Increase your activity as you feel able.
- Look closely at the incisional lines.
- Wear a sport bra for 2 weeks. Do not wear an underwire bra for 4 weeks.
- Do not massage your breasts. These implants do not require massage.
- Do not become too worried if you notice numbness in your nipples. Feeling often returns in 6 weeks.
- You may hear a "sloshing" sound from your breast implants for a week or more. This is normal and will go away. The sound is caused by the fluid and air in the implants. The air will go away in several days to a week.
- The final results of your surgery may not be seen for up to 3 months.
Pain Control
You will have some pain. Pain medicine will be prescribed for you. Follow the doctor’s orders about taking pain medicine. Extra-Strength Tylenol® may also help keep you comfortable. To avoid nausea, you may want to take your pain medicine with milk or food. Drink plenty of fluids and eat high fiber foods to avoid constipation.
Call the Surgery Office If:
- You notice any excess swelling, bleeding, or soreness, especially if you notice the difference only in one breast.
- You notice any signs of infection in the incision, like the area is warm, or red, has cloudy or pus-like drainage, excess swelling, or bleeding or if you have a temperature over 101º F.
Phone Numbers
Please call if you have questions about your surgery.
Your Mid-level Provider’s name is _____________________________________ and can be reached at (608) 26_________________.
Your doctor's name is __________________________________; the office number is(608) 26_______________,
After hours and weekends, the clinic number will give you the hospital paging operator. Ask for plastic surgery resident on-call. Leave your name and phone number with the area code. The doctor will call you back.
Hospital Toll Free Number: (800) 323-8942
The information provided should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed physician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.
Last Updated: 07/29/2011
Copyright © 07/29/2011 University of Wisconsin Hospitals and Clinics Authority. All rights reserved. Produced by the Department of Nursing. HF#4579
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