Most breast surgery patients will go home in a surgical bra. This is simply a soft elastic bra that opens in the front. This will be worn for 1 to 2 weeks after surgery. Thereafter, you may wear a bra of your choice as long as it is not an underwire. (This may be worn 6 weeks after surgery) Occasionally, patients will go home wearing tapes on the breasts only. If you do not arrive in the recovery room wearing the surgical bra, then you will not need to wear one until after your follow-up appointment. For all forms of breast surgery, there is no magic in the bra. The bra is placed and worn primarily for the patient's comfort, it has no ability to help shape or mold the breast.
In the breast reduction patient, a surgical drain will be placed for each breast. These will be removed within 1 -2 days after surgery. Breast augmentation and breast lift patients will not have drains.
You may shower 48 hours after surgery; bathing or hot tubs should not be done for 2 weeks after surgery. Do not worry about getting the tapes wet. They are there to protect your incisions.
Never use hot wraps or heating pads on your breasts after surgery as the skin may be numb, and burns or blistering may occur easily.
To aid in reducing breast soreness and swelling immediately after surgery, ice packs or small bags of frozen vegetables may be placed on the sides or underneath the breasts. These should be placed outside your bra and never directly on the skin to prevent the risk of frostbite.
If steri-strips or tapes were used on your breast incisions, leave them on as long as possible. Do not worry about getting them wet. If they are still on 7 days after surgery, they will be removed in the office.
Breast augmentation patients with incisions in the underarms will have their incisions closed with dissolvable sutures. There is no need for gauze dressings or steri-strips. Shaving and deodorants may be used 10 days after surgery.
Physical exercise and heavy lifting should be avoided for 1 month after surgery. However, arm range of motion exercises after breast implants alone should be started the evening of surgery as per the well-known concept of 'Rapid Recovery after Breast Augmentation'.
You may drive when you are reasonably comfortable and are off pain medication. The issue is simply one of safety, both to yourself and others while operating a car.
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