Augmentation Mammoplasty

Augmentation mammoplasty or breast augmentation is done to increase your breast size by inserting breast implants.

 

Planning for Surgery

• Plan to take off work or school for a week or two depending on the type of work you do.
• 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 several weeks.
• You will go home the same day as your surgery.

Caring for Yourself at Home

 

Day 1

• Keep wearing a support bra for 24 hours (overnight).  Do not wear an underwire bra for 2 weeks.
• Wear comfortable clothing.
• Stay quiet.  Rest for the first 24 hours.  Excess activity may cause you to bleed.
• Do not drive for the first 48 hours (2 days) or while you are taking narcotics.
• Look at the incision every 4-6 hours for the first day.  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.
• You may shower if you wish.
• Eat small, well-balanced meals, and drink plenty of fluids.  Do not drink alcohol, beer, or wine.  They do not mix well with the medicine and anesthesia you were given and may make you sick.

Day 2

• Remain quiet.  You may increase activities around your home.  Do not do any strenuous activity using your elbows (vacuuming, cleaning, swimming, or running).
• Take your temperature.  Call if it is greater than 100.4° F.
• Look at your incision two times a day to note any signs of infection.
  • Area becomes red and warm to the touch
  • Drainage is cloudy or pus-like
  • Excess swelling occurs
  • Bleeding
• Keep your incision clean.

After Day 2

• Increase your activity, as you feel able.  For the first 1-2 weeks, do not do things that bring your arms over your head like pulling on clothes or lifting items to shelves.
• Look closely at the incision lines.
• Wear a support bra for 2 weeks.  Do not wear an underwire bra for 2 weeks.
• Do not massage your breasts.  These implants do not require massage.
• Don't become too worried if you notice numbness in your nipples.  Feeling often returns in a few weeks to a month.
• You may hear a sloshing sound from your breast implants during the first week.  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 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.  Eat stool-softening foods (bran, prunes, juices), or take a stool softener daily while you are taking narcotic pain medicine.

 

Phone Numbers
If you have questions are concerns, call the Surgery Clinic at (608) 263-7502, Monday through Friday from 8:00am to 4:30pm. 

 

After hours, nights, weekends, and holidays, this number will be answered by the paging operator.  Ask for the plastic surgery resident on call.  Leave your name and phone number with the area code.  The doctor will call you back.

 

If you live out of the area, please call, 1-800-323-8942.

 

 

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. UWH #4574

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