Breast

Most people can resume a normal diet the evening of surgery. If you feel queasy or nauseated, start with clear liquids or soup. Advance your diet as tolerated to a regular diet. You may experience some constipation as a result of the pain medication. Over the counter laxatives such as Milk of Magnesia or a stool softener is recommended. If this is not sufficient, dulcolax or a suppository may be necessary.

Walking short distances is encouraged in the first few days after surgery. No lifting, pushing or pulling in the first week post-op. Mild physical exercise can be resumed as directed by the doctor after your first post- operative appointment. Please refrain from high impact or heavy exercise until released to do so, up to 4 weeks.

Leave all dressings and the surgery bra in place for 24 to 48 hours. After 24 to 48 hours, you may remove the gauze and bra for a brief period of time to shower. Following a shower, pat yourself dry, apply clean gauze and the surgical bra. Any residual surgical soap (yellow) or marker can be gently removed with warm soap and water.

Swelling, bruising, redness and of the skin is normal and will resolve over time. Many patients have drainage from the bottom of the breasts were the incisions come together. This drainage is quite normal and may be bloody, yellow or clear in color.

Showers can be taken after two days. Remove the surgical bra and dressings to shower and replace with clean gauze and the surgical bra after patting dry.

To manage post operative pain, Dr. Zochowski will prescribe pain medication to be taken as prescribed. Do not drive while you are taking pain medication/narcotics and experiencing significant pain. When narcotics are no longer needed to manage pain, Extra Strength Tylenol is an acceptable substitute.

If there are any concerns, please call the office (614) 490-7500. Most issues are easily addressed and do not require significant intervention.

The most common emergencies that might need attention are:

• Nausea that lasts 4 hours or more and does not respond to medication
• Bleeding that is persistent and uncontrolled
• Sudden enlargement and/or pain of one side with bruising
• High fever lasting more than a few hours and not responding to medication
• Shortness of breath
• Chest pain that is considerably worse on one side
• Leg swelling

If you feel the situation is urgent, call 911 and/or proceed directly to the closest emergency room. Please notify us or have the emergency room staff call Dr Zochowski to provide guidance for your care.

A follow up appointment is typically scheduled 7-10 days post operatively. If you do not have a follow up appointment scheduled, please call the office at (614) 490-7500 to schedule.

• Breast implants are available in a wide range of sizes. Part of the challenge of breast augmentation or breast reconstruction is choosing the right size. Although we will provide you with many samples of different sizes when you come to the office, it is often helpful for you to try different sizes in the comfort and privacy of your own home. You might also see how a size looks with different types of clothing.
• You can make your own breast implant sizing forms from readily available and inexpensive materials. The goal of using the sizing forms is to quickly give you and your doctor an idea about the best volume for you. You may notice the look of a fuller, shapelier breast, but remember that they are only approximations of how your implants might look.
• An easy  and  popular  do‐it‐yourself  test  implant  method  is  the  “Rice Test”
• You’ll need the following materials:
• 1 pair of knee high nylons (or cut off pantyhose), or Ziploc baggies
• Measuring cup
• Rice
• Use knee-high nylons, or Ziploc baggies, and fill them with the desired amount of cubic centimeters (cc’s) of rice. If using a pair of knee-high nylons, place rice in the nylon, then twist the opening and fold the nylon over on itself to contain the rice.
• Once you have them filled, try them on under a bra that would normally be somewhat loose on you. (REMEMBER NOT TO USE A PADDED BRA FOR THIS TEST).