More Breast Surgery Tips & Recovery

1 Month Prior to BA - 2 Weeks Before Surgery -
1 Week Before Surgery to Day of BA
At Your Pre-Op - Post-Op Recovery - Shopping List

ONE MONTH Before Surgery

Bras: Buy cheap non-padded bras in different cup sizes prior to surgery, pad or use rice/water test, wear them around for a few days UNDER clothing till you get use to the size, cause you will get use to it, and see what cup size you are comfortable with so you'll now know how large you are willing to go. Take pictures in different size bras.

Practice sleeping on your back in advance.

Strengthen your stomach muscles to help you get up. Get one of those giant exercise balls from a sports store.

You want your body in the best condition possible to help it cope with surgery and have a fast recovery. As early as possible, eat very healthy, forego your vices, exercise to reduce stress.

2 WEEKS Before Surgery

Vit E and other meds: At least 2 weeks before and after surgery, you should stop taking aspirin, ibuprofen, and added Vit E (most PS's say a small amount in your Multi is ok). Take 1,000+ mg of Vitamin C daily. Check with your PS about Vit. K for clotting and B's for stress.

1 WEEK Before Surgery Before Surgery

Drinks: Get a small cooler and fill w/ drinks or thermos filled w/ drink that u can easily loosen.

Medicine : Keep a notepad by you so you know when you had taken your meds. Also, you may want a little timer device to remind you

Hair: Wash your hair. If you have long hair you may want to braid or put in an elastic only (no metal in band) hairband prior to surgery and for a few days after. You may want to schedule a hair appt for after your ba to wash your hair for you.

Journal: Keep a journal of your progress, helps to keep track of how you're doing and can help with questions you might want to ask your surgeon on your post-op visits. (You may want to use a tape recorder to record your progress, then type it once you feel better)

Pictures: Take before pics!

Bruising: Arnica Montana (don't exceed 10 days) and Bromelain are supposed to help reduce swelling and bruising (available at Health Food Stores). Check with your plastic surgeon before taking.

Nausea & Constipation: Have meds/suppositories on hand for both just in case. Tell your anesthesiologist to give you anti-nausea meds.

Underarms: Shave or Wax prior!

Post-op Instruction List: Make sure at your pre-op they write all your post-op instructions down to take home, you may not remember everything they tell you.

Valium/Xanax: See if your surgeon will prescribe something to take the nite before so you can get a good nites rest.

Nothing to eat/drink so many hours prior to surgery, or it could be postponed!!

As with any surgery, always have someone with you for the first 24-48 hours.

Have surgeon's emergency # taped to all phones and with your helper.

Fill your prescriptions. I put my pills and vitamins in a day-of-the-week holder so I wouldn't forget.

Lay out loose clothes to wear. Use button up shirts, you won't be able to lift arms to pull shirts on over head. Slip on shoes and pants.

Mentally review the week or 2 following surgery - bills to pay, birthdays coming up.

Have some uplifting books and movies for recovery. A great series of heart-warming, inspiring stories are the "Chicken Soup for the Soul" books.

Set up TV trays on either side of a recliner, and a lazy susan to put more items in reach. I used a divider tray (for office drawers) to hold meds, chapstick, pen & note paper, kleenex, etc.

Use a long straw and plastic utensils.

Paper plates cut down on doing dishes.

Use a whistle to call your helper (bells may not be heard).

Walk through your home looking at everything with your arms pinned to your sides as though you can't raise your hands above your shoulders and don't have the strength to open cupboards.

Tell your helper to leave food and dishes down.

Have snacks by your recliner for late nights and when you're alone - juice boxes, applesauce and pudding cups, fruit, crackers, nuts.

Have your pet's favorite treats on hand to make up for less attention.

Have facial cleansing pads, and gum if you like to chew.

Turn shampoo and lotion bottles upside down.

Soft cosmetic cotton squares are a blessing for tender nipples and under tight bra elastic.

Make your recovery room as pleasant as possible. Have fresh flowers, scented candles or potpourri.

Take garbage out.

Get all the laundry out of the way.

Clean the house and do the dishes.

Go grocery shopping and pre-cook some foods to freeze for easy microwaving, such as soup.

Get 4 bags (2 to use while others are refreezing) of frozen small fruit like blueberries (we used to suggest peas but vegetables tend to smell after they thaw) or ice bag for swelling, put these bags in ziplock bag, just in case the original bag develops a leak. You may also want to make smaller bags so you can ice the top and bottom of each breast

A heating pad for a sore back, do not put on breasts.

Have some simple foods ready to eat like crackers, soup, jello, canned health drinks in case you can't eat.

Get extra large jogging/sports bras - open in front. Your surgeon may send you home in a surgical bra or require you to wear something else, or maybe nothing at all. I also got soft pjs.

Fill your car with gas.

Pay bills and do all your banking.

Put dry foods on counter and refrigerated foods at lower levels.

Get pet care taken care of, get their food and empty the litter box.

Recharge remote control batteries, cordless phone.

Set up table close to you with your stuff -Drinking and Pill taking WATER, Rx's, remotes, phone, vitamins, tissue, books, magazines, water bottle, etc. Also plastic waste can near you in case you vomit.

Make up the couch with sheets, blankets and pillows plus a U-shaped pillow.

Make up the bed with fresh sheets and lots and lots of pillows.

Lay out items you use in bathroom, like mouth wash, toothpaste & brush, hair brush, contact lens stuff, makeup, etc.

Take a coffee can or something with a lid for the ride home in case you get sick.

Take some cold ginger ale or water to sip on the way back home.

Wash your hands a lot and gargle couple times a day to ward off colds and viruses prior to surgery.

Take to surgery - chapstick, glasses (no contacts), don't wear any makeup, hairspray, deodorant, powder - nothing on skin or hair, take pain Rx and water to take meds with and pillow for the ride home, wear warm socks or slippers for surgery, comfy shoes, list of any last minute questions. Take a nice long hot shower and wash your hair and shave everything before going. Wear baggy, comfy clothes and top that buttons in front.

Bed pillows, body pillow.

Tie a long ribbon to any ceiling light chains.

Yeast Infections: Either get yogurt or acidopholus (available at Wal Mart) to ward off oral or vaginal yeast infections.

AT YOUR PRE-OP

Shower/baths/pools,etc: At pre-op, ask PS when you can do each of these things and write it down.

Check with your PS about Vit. K for clotting and B's for stress.

Ask about Arnica

At your pre-op and the morning of surgery Review the critical points with your PS and nurse. I typed a brief description of what I wanted (Under, Round, cup size & cc's, etc.) and had that with my pictures during surgery.

Post-op Instruction List: Make sure at your pre-op they write all your post-op instructions down to take home, you may not remember everything they tell you.

Valium/Xanax: See if your Surgeon will prescribe something to take the nite before so you can get a good nites rest.

Also ask your PS at your pre-op to prescribe phenegran or other antinausea medication.

Recovery

Post-op Instruction List: Keep at bedside or with your helper.

Bras: Wait at least a month before buying new bras. If you find bras that you like, but aren't suppose to wear yet, like underwire, just make a small snip in the wire lining and pull it out.

Pictures: Take after pics!

Bloating: You may have bloating for a week or two. Drink lots of water to help flush it out and move around as you can to help it dissipate. It is the fluids migrating downward from the surgery and swelling.

Blue Markings: The blue will wash away in a couple days.

Emotions: The first couple of weeks you may experience a little postop depression. This is normal and will go away. Take deep breaths, do Yoga or meditate if you can.

Infection: Know the signs of infection, act quickly and do not take chances. You can not afford an infection. This applies as long as you have breast implants, bacterial infections must be treated seriously.

Itching: This is from your nerve endings coming back to life. Ice helps with this.

Nausea & Constipation: A whiff of rubbing alcohol may stop nausea. Ginger is supposed to help nausea, Butternut-Cascara for constipation.

Nipples: Your nipples may be extremely sensitive. Keep them moisturized (after areola incisions are sealed). Protect with soft cotton. Wear silky camisoles.

Back muscles: may ache (use a heating pad - but NOT on new breasts).

Menstrual Cycle/Period: Your cycle may be thrown off for a month or 2. It will return to normal. Let PS know you may be on cycle, Have pads Vs tampons for after, easier to change.

Scars: I applied a small amount of Vitamin E (but be careful...it may cause contact dermatitis) after my incision healed and my ps gave the go ahead. I also massaged the scars to break down the scar tissue and did not tan my scar for a year (I used SPF in a chapstick container on the scar).

Vit E.: Oral Vit E may reduce chance of capsular contraction. DRY E (at health stores) eliminates the oil of regular E that may lead to oily skin. Wait 2 weeks post.

Misc.: Your breasts may be high, hard, uneven, with nipples pointing down or sideways, shinny from swelling. They may be under your chin or in your armpits. You may hear gurgling / creaking noises (it's just air that will go away soon). If you get Unders, the saline will settle with time as your overly stretched & tight chest muscles relax and the lower breast tissue/skin stretches. The firmness is from the tight muscles not the implant itself (unless very overfilled). It's common for one side to be much firmer, higher, more painful, etc. Your dominant side is usually the slowest to drop because the muscles are tighter. Everyone heals at a different rate, allow your body the time it needs. Get LOTS of rest. Do a lot of deep breathing to help you relax and speed healing. The most important aspect of your healing is mental - maintaining a positive attitude and sense of humor will get you through the rough spots. It's all worth it - you will be thrilled!

Getting up: To get up from the edge of the couch, get your butt to the edge, put your feet about 2-3 feet apart with your toes pointing out, bend your knees, try to keep a straight back and then stand up by straightening your knees (like a ballerina) Hold on to your boobs.

Fluids: Drink plenty of fluids (sugarfree).

Pain:
Don't fight the pain! You will tense up and make it worse. Just go with it.
Day 2 & 3 are usually the worst.
You may feel sharp, shooting pains on the outside of your breasts toward your back (these are major nerve endings regenerating).
There will probably be pain between your breasts - the area your skin is stretched the tightest.
Stay on top of your meds and keep food in your stomach. Take your meds like the doctor ordered. You don't have to be in pain.
It's common to be more sore in the morning, this will ease.
Try to ride pain like an ocean wave rather than fighting it which makes it worse.
Use deep breathing and visualizations.
A shallow warm bubble bath is soothing.
Also try to stand correctly, you will tend to hunch.

Blood stained gauze: If you have to remove blood stained dried gauze pads (like from a lift), do it in the shower with luke warm water trickling on your breasts. They will work free on their own. Make sure you are allowed to shower before you do this!

Start to walk around a little as soon as possible and get some fresh air.

Eat if you get hungry (something simple like scrambled eggs or Jello).

Get lots of rest - sleep if you are tired.

Listen to your body and don't over do it.

If you are used to sleeping on your sides or stomach, you might find your couch as well as a recliner is easier to sleep on since it gives you back support. Sleeping/resting elevated on a few pillows also helps with swelling and the discomfort most feel upon waking in the a.m.

Put pillows under your arms for support (like a throne).

Have someone help you pull your pants or pj's up after going to the bathroom - pulling is tough and it is easier without underpants.

Use ice or frozen fruit like raspberries( smell better after freeze/thaw) on the swelling and bruises 15 minutes on and 15 minutes off. Have a couple of extra bags to use while the others are refreezing.

Have someone help you with showers especially to dry you off. And to help you get dressed.

Don't look at them for a month! You'll save yourself the anxiety of the TOO's: Too big, Too small, Too high, Too low, Too hard, Too funny. :o)

SHOPPING LIST

1)arnica

2)bags for ice or get frozen peas(ck with your ps)

3)sodas, water

4)jello

5)pudding pops or sherbert pops

6)bags of ice(if u dont have an auto ice-maker

7)correctal or other non-herbal laxative

8)videos, magazines, and/or books

9)have an ice chest so can keep it near the couch/bed filled w/ sodas, etc

10)paper plates/paper cups

11)plenty of food stocked, esp stuff u can make w/ minimal assistance

12)pad to keep track of your meds

13)ask PS to prescribe phenegran or other anti-nausea meds in case you feel sick

14)go to GNC and ask them for something to counteract antibiotics so it doesnt kill the good bacteria in your stomach(I ended up w/ thrush which is a yeast infection in your mouth...painful!!)....ASK YOUR PS, AS HE MAY RECOMMEND THAT YOU EAT YOGURT INSTEAD

15)plenty of pillows and a Ushaped pillow

16)candles, incense

17)pay all bills or have a list of bills to pay and due date

18)TV tray

19)chapstick

20)disposable face wipes

21)antibacterial soap for when u take a shower

22)bendable straws and plastic utensils

23)whistle or bell

24)pajamas or shirts w/ buttons or items that are comfy to lounge around in and easy to get on and off

25)Tylenol, and nightime tylenol when you decide to stop taking meds

26)saltines, Ritz crackers, or Vanilla Wafers are good to eat before taking a pain pill

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