Recovery after breast surgery

Wear a bra: To help with comfort and healing, wear a bra both in the day and at night. The bra should support the breasts to keep them from moving or hanging, and the bra should not be loose or too stretched.Any bra that gives relief and feels good should be okay, though many women prefer sports bras. Depending on the area of surgery, a non-underwire bra may be most comfortable

Pain relief: You are given an ice pack in the recovery room. You may continue to apply the ice pack to the surgery site (on 20 minutes, then off 20 minutes), as needed.Deep breathing and relaxation can help with pain and keep lungs healthy after surgery. In the first few days back home, you can take deep breaths every 2 hours, or whenever you feel tense.

Constipation: Anesthesia and pain medication can cause constipation. Over-the-counter medications, diet, gentle movement and drinking water can help.Call the office for direction if you are struggling with constipation.

Wound and incision care: Stitches are under the skin and dissolve on their own. Some surgeons use surgical glue over the incision. Others use paper tape called steri-strips. Steri-strips can get wet in the shower and will peel off as you heal. (If they do not come off, they will be removed in the office at your post-operative visit.) Read more about wound care and managing your drains.

Bathing and hygiene: Take a shower by the second day you are home.

• Before getting in the shower: Remove the outside surgical dressing (if you have one). This is usually a square piece of clear tape with a gauze pad underneath it. Do NOT remove the glue or paper tape directly over the incision.
• In the shower: Let soap and water run over the surgery site, then pat the area dry.
• After the shower: Place a 4 x 4 gauze pad inside your bra for comfort. Change gauze pads every day. (You can buy gauze pads at your supermarket or pharmacy.)

You may start wearing deodorant a few days after surgery. Avoid the incision area when applying.

Initial activity level: Small but frequent activity helps in the first 24 to 48 hours after returning home.

• No lifting anything over 8 lbs (about a gallon of milk).
• No repetitive activity with the arm.
• Get up and move every two hours. Movement can be as simple as standing or taking a walk around the room then sitting back down.
• Stretch and move your arms naturally. You do not need to keep your arms locked at your side.

Expect a phone call from your surgeon: Pathology results are back in about 7 to 10 days. You will be called with the results or get them in the office at your post-operative visit. Results are not sent through the patient portal.

Continue to wear a bra: Most patients feel better continuing to wear a supportive bra in the day and evening. At this point, you don’t have to sleep in it, unless it feels better to do so.

Bathing and hygiene: No swimming or soaking in a tub for about one month. Shower every day (or at least every other day). Feeling a lump in the area of the surgery is normal.

Activity: You should be back to most of your normal activities within 3 or 4 days of surgery.

However, continue:

• No lifting over 8 lbs (about a gallon of milk). Your care team will let you know when you no longer have weight restrictions.
• No heavy exercise, i.e.: no weightlifting, no cardio or aerobics, etc.

Returning to activities

See more detailed activity guidelines under “Movement and food guidelines.”

Patients return to full activity on different timelines.

Inpatient (or surgery with a drain): You will discuss returning to full activity levels with your surgeon at your post-operative visit. Most patients are back to normal activity within 4 to 8 weeks, depending on the type of surgery they had.

Outpatient surgery: You will likely be back to your normal exercise and activities in about 3 weeks. Start slowly and see how you feel, and stop/adjust if necessary. For example, if you lift weights, start with much lower weight than what you’d lift before surgery.

Activity guidelines

• Absolutely no driving while on narcotic pain medication. You should not drive for 2 to 4 weeks after surgery. Discuss a timeline for driving with your surgeon.
• You may ride in a car if you do not sit in one position for too long. If you must take long car rides, do not ride for more than 60 minutes without taking a break to stretch (walk for several minutes and change position).
• Try to limit using the stairs to 1 to 2 times per day during your first week at home. Climb steps one at a time, placing both feet on the step before moving to the next one.
• Avoid heavy lifting. Do not lift anything over 5 to 10 lbs for the first few weeks that you are home from the hospital. Do NOT lift, pull, or push anything weighing more than 8 lbs (about a gallon of milk) until all drains are removed and you are cleared by the plastic surgeon.
• Avoid strenuous activity, bending, pushing or holding your breath. For example: Do not vacuum, wash the car, do large loads of laundry, or walk the dog until after your follow up visit with your surgeon.
• Increase activity as tolerated. You should be back to most of your normal, non-strenuous activities within 3 or 4 days of surgery. You may start with “low impact” exercise, such as walking, and increase your speed and endurance as tolerated. Plan rest periods and try to avoid hills if possible. Remember: exercise should not increase your pain or cause pain.
• Squat (bend the knees) when reaching for things on or near the floor. Bend your knees when reaching down, rather than bending over at the waist.

Listen to your body, be smart and don’t “overdo it.”

As you are feeling better a few weeks after surgery, don’t be discouraged if you suddenly have days where you feel washed out or have discomfort in the surgery area without a particular reason why.

This is not unusual, and the road to recovery is not always a straight path. Know that you are getting better each week, and remember that your surgery and ongoing recovery has been an emotional and physical journey. Be kind to yourself and take it easy.

Resume your usual diet when you return home.

Avoid alcoholic beverages while taking new medications.

Increase your fluid and fiber intake after surgery, as narcotic pain medications may cause constipation (difficulty moving your bowels). It is important to be aware of your bowel habits so you don’t develop severe constipation.

Call the office if you are constipated for more than 3 days, or if you have stomach pain.