Surgery on a breast is most often a major procedure that usually involves general anesthetic. There is a period of recovery from the operation. The recovery time differs depending on the type of procedure performed and the age and health of the patient. However, there are some things you can do to help speed the process and make this time as comfortable as possible.
Step 1
Enlist a family member or friend to watch after you for the first few days after surgery if you live alone.
Step 2
Ask your physician for instructions regarding your bandaging. She may recommend a schedule for changing it and direct you to wear a compression bra or other type of special garment during your recovery period.
Step 3
Sleep in a recliner for the first week following your surgery. Find a comfortable angle, but do not recline it back past a 45-degree angle. You want to remain relatively upright.
Step 4
Apply ice packs to your chest for at least one day following surgery. This will help with swelling and pain. It may help to wear an athletic bra with small ice packs inside it. This should be worn over another bra to prevent chapping.
Step 5
Eat when you are hungry, but keep your meals bland for the first few days. Soups, mashed potatoes, gelatins and crackers are good standbys. Ask your doctor if you should ingest liquid replacement meals if you have no appeptite or if you are too nauseous to keep solid foods down.
Step 6
Guard against constipation following your surgery by having suppositories on hand. Constipation is a frequent complaint following any surgical procedure. Check with your physician before taking a laxative or any other medication.
Step 7
Learn to gauge your pain. Take only pain relievers prescribed or recommended by your physician. Many physicians advise their patients to take medication only as needed, but not to wait until discomfort has escalated to the point of true pain before taking a pain reliever. It is often difficult to manage pain once it has reached a certain point.
Step 8
Rest as much as possible for the first two weeks after surgery. Your body will mend much better if you give it the time off it needs.
Step 9
Abstain from physical activity for two to four weeks following your procedure except for any specific exercises your physician instructs you to do early in the recovery. Only resume normal physical exertions with the permission of your physician and when you feel well enough to do so.
Tips and Warnings
- If you have had implants put in your breasts, you can massage smooth ones to keep them soft, but only after the first 24 hours. Keep a stack of pillows on your bed once you return to sleeping in it to help you raise yourself up.
- Avoid bending, lifting and straining for at least three weeks after surgery. Do not massage textured implants.
Things You'll Need
- Recliner
- Ice packs
- Athletic bra
- Pain relieving medication
