Corrective Breast Surgery Aftercare
Below you will find helpful aftercare guidance following your corrective breast surgery at Merchant City Medical Group. This information is designed to help you prepare for your surgery and understand what to expect during your recovery. While the advice is generally applicable to most patients, recovery times can vary, and your individual healing process may differ. Always follow the personalised instructions provided by your surgeon and care team.
Before you leave the hospital
MEDICATIONS
You will be provided with simple painkillers before discharge to manage any discomfort.
CHANGE OF DRESSINGS
Keep your dressings in place until your first postoperative visit for a professional review.
FOLLOW-UP APPOINTMENTS
You will receive a card with the details of your first follow-up appointment, as well as contact information for the ward should you have any concerns once you're at home.
Corrective breast surgery instructions
- Have someone drive you home after surgery.
- Get plenty of rest to aid your recovery.
- Begin gentle walking as soon as possible to help reduce swelling and lower the risk of blood clots.
- Maintain a balanced diet; reduced activity may cause constipation, so include fibre-rich foods such as raw fruit and increase your fluid intake.
- Take pain medication exactly as prescribed. Do not take aspirin or aspirin-containing products unless approved by your surgeon.
- Avoid smoking for at least two weeks, as smoking can delay healing and increase the risk of complications.
- Avoid alcohol while taking pain medication. Even if you are no longer taking pain relief, it is advisable to avoid alcohol for up to three weeks, as it may cause fluid retention and worsen swelling.
When Can I Return to Work?
Wound Care Instructions
You may shower when you return home, but avoid soaking your dressings.
Your outer dressings will be removed one week after surgery. The paper tapes (Steri-Strips) should remain in place for a further week and can be left on while showering. By the end of week two, they can be gently soaked off in the shower or loosened using a small amount of petroleum jelly.
Between weeks two and four, begin moisturising your incisions using a plain moisturising cream as advised by your clinical team.
rom week five, you may use micropore tape, available from most pharmacies, to support scar healing. Apply the tape for 3–5 days, then remove it and moisturise the scars for 1–2 days before reapplying the tape. Continue this cycle—tape for 3–5 days followed by moisturising for 1–2 days—for at least four months.
If micropore tape causes irritation, discontinue its use and continue moisturising alone.
Activities After Ear Correction Surgery
You may bathe once you return home, but avoid soaking your dressings.
Sleep comfortably using two or three pillows. You do not need to sleep upright. Avoid sleeping on your stomach for at least three weeks following surgery.
Wear loose, easy-to-remove clothing and avoid tight-fitting tops. A support bra should be worn as advised by your surgical team.
Avoid driving for at least 4–5 days after surgery, particularly while taking pain medication.
For the first two days, keep arm movements to a minimum. Do not use your arms to support your body weight or lift heavy objects, and avoid pushing yourself up in bed. Strenuous activities or anything that raises your blood pressure should be avoided for 3–4 weeks. Contact sports should be avoided for at least two months.
Follow-up
You will attend a specialist nurse clinic one week after surgery to have your outer dressings removed.
A follow-up appointment with your surgeon will take place six months after surgery to review the outcome and discuss any concerns.
When to Call
- If you experience increased swelling or bruising that is not settling.
- If you notice swelling in one or both legs or feel short of breath, which may indicate a blood clot (deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolism).
- If you develop increasing redness along the incision, which may be a sign of infection.
- If you have severe or worsening pain that is not relieved by medication.
- If you experience side effects from medications, such as a rash, nausea, headache, or vomiting.
- If your temperature rises above 38°C.
- If you notice yellowish or greenish discharge from the incisions.
- If you experience bleeding from the incisions that does not settle with gentle pressure.
- If you are concerned at any stage, please contact the hospital where your procedure was performed in the first instance.
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