Breast Reduction – Home Care Instructions

• For the first postoperative week, patients should rest and sleep elevated at 30 degrees. You should not lay flat in bed. Thirty degrees elevation can be achieved in a recliner or using several pillows behind you back and shoulders. If you do not have a recliner, you must position pillows in bed so that you will not roll off your pillows and lose elevation.
• Do not lift arms over the head for the first 2 weeks. You may move the shoulder to avoid stiffness. Avoid lifting anything over 5-10 pounds for the first 3 weeks.
• You will be returning to the office for a postoperative check 24-48 hours after your surgery. After your appointment, you will be allowed to shower.
• Most patients find that wearing a bra provides support to the breasts and reduces pain, so a comfortable sports bra is recommended to be worn for the first few weeks. Avoid underwire bras. These are not allowed for the first 6 weeks.
• Avoid strenuous activity such as jogging, swimming, skiing, tennis for the first 3-4 weeks after surgery.
• Begin your postoperative antibiotics the night of your surgery and finish the entire prescription.
• The following symptoms are completely normal:
• One side hurts more than the other.
• The feeling of Rice Krispies to the breasts. This is a small amount of air and will resolve in 2 weeks.
• Swelling to the top portion of the breasts is normal. This will resolve at about 6 weeks.
• Electric shocks, tingling, temporary numbness, hypersensitivity to the nipples, all of which are normal due to the stretching of nerves.
• Uneven swelling or bruising.
• Constipation from pain pills. Plan on using a laxative if you have not moved your bowels in 2 days.
• Itching from the pain pills is also very common, and we recommend that you take Benadryl 25-50 mg every 4-6 hours for itching. This medicine is available over-the-counter. The side effects are sleepiness, and you are not allowed to drive while taking your pain pills or large doses of Benadryl. Driving is allowed as soon as you stop your pain medicines.
• Postoperative bruising is normal, and this will vary from patient to patient.

Please call Dr. Farahmand’s office if your breasts become:

• One breast twice the size of the other.
• Red streaks extending from the the wound
• Fevers over 100 degrees (fevers under 100 degrees for the first 48 hours are normal).
• Do not take any aspirin products, ibuprofen or vitamin E or any homeopathic medicines 2 weeks prior to surgery and 2 weeks after surgery. Medications for pain and antibiotics have been prescribed to you. If your pain is not that severe, you may take Tylenol.