Post operative information - Breast implant removal (Explant)
Care of your wound
Your wound will be covered with a waterproof dressing. This will still intact until your post-surgery appointment.
You may notice some dry blood under the dressing. This is very normal and is actually helping your wound heal.
You do not need to do anything special to your wound whilst the dressings are in place. After the dressings are removed Dr. Green will advise you of various treatments to decrease scarring.
You will be provided with more information about Creams and Tapes for your wound at the post op appointment
Stitches
Your wound has been closed entirely with dissolving sutures. These will take several weeks to completely dissolve.
You will not need to have any stitches removed after your surgery.
Drains
A drain will be placed at the time of surgery.
Most often the drains are removed the following morning if you have minimal ‘ouzing’
If you have a significant volume of fluid in your drain the next morning the drain will need to remian.This is important to remove fluid that is produced from the skin and tissue after surgery. If the drain were not in place this would build up and become uncomfortable. This is called a seroma and would require needle drainage.
The nursing staff will teach you how to look after the drain and provide you with spares drainage bags and a carry bag. Any problems with call the Ward directly (after hours) or Dr. Greens breast care nurse (0428197923) Monday -Friday from 9am -5pm
You will be shown how to record how much is coming into the drain. It will initially be a large amount of red/yellow fluid. Once it is less than 50ml on two consecutive days the drain will be remove. On average this takes about 1 week, although in some cases it may be 2-3 weeks.
If you accidentally pull your drain out DO NOT PANIC. Nothing bad will occur, just cover with a bandage. Let the ward our our nurse know and he will arrange for the fluid that builds up to be drained.
Support Bra
You will need to wear a compressive Bra post surgery to avoid swelling in the breast.
You will be placed into this either whilst you are asleep at the end of your case or once you return to the ward.
You will be provided information about post surgical bras prior to your operation.
if you have any questions about your Bra please speak to our breast Care Nurse
It is important you wear this bra day and night until your post operative appointment unless directed not to by Dr Green or his breast care nurse
Signs of Infections
Bad Infection is a rare complication after a mastectomy. However, it is possible for as small infection to occur that can be easily treated with tablet antibiotics.
It is normal for the wound itself to look red. However if the redness is Increasing past your dressings you may have an early infection.
If you are concerned notify Dr. Green or contact your GP who may commence you on a course of tablet antibiotics.
Pain Relief
Post mastectomy is not usually very painful.
Most people can manage with simple analgesia (paracetamol) and anti-inflammatory (Nurofen).
Some people do require some stronger pain relief and this will be provided at the time of discharge as required.
Very strong pain relief like Morphine and Oxydodone (Endone) is usually not required and actively avoided if there is not severe pain
Avoid constipation whilst taking the pain relief. You should see your Pharmacist for some coloxyl and senna or Movichol whilst taking pain relief.
Showering and deodorant
Your dressings are waterproof and it is perfectly safe for you to have a shower after your surgery.
When you have finished your shower just pat your wound dry. DO NOT use hair dryers as you will burn your skin
Deodorant (aerosol deodorant or roll on) is perfectly safe to use after you surgery. It is best to avoid powdered based deodorants.
Driving
You will NOT be able to drive for 48-hours post surgery whilst your surgical drains are in place
It is essential you still wear a seatbelt post surgery. A pillow will be helpful to protect your wound.
Clearance to not wear a seatbelt WILL NOT be given
To safely return to driving you must be able to have full movement in your neck, chest, shoulders and are not be inhibited in anyway
Return to work
You will need to have some time off work after your surgery.
Usually 2 weeks is the minimum (can be less if there has not been a mastopexy breast lift)
Dr. Green will happily provide a medical certificate for these times if you wish.
Energy levels and resuming normal activities
It is normal to not have full energy levels after the operation.
You should be able to perform usual light duties within 1 week of the surgery. Although it is quite normal to not regain full levels of energy for several weeks after an anaesthetic.
Regular light exercise (walking, riding etc...) is encouraged after your surgery. A basic rule is ‘if it hurts its to strenuous and you should stop’
Regular exercise is important. There is good evidence supporting exercise and healthy eating in terms of your breast cancer treatment.
Whilst your drains are in place your arm use will be limited and details will be provided by our Physiotherapy team.
Follow Up
A post op appointment will be arranged for you around 1 week post your surgery.
Please check this appointment and if it is made on a day that is not suitable please call the rooms to arrange an alternative.
It is essential that you are seen within 7-10 days post surgery
Phone consultations are NOT appropriate for post operative appointments
Information specifically Mastopexy breast Lift
T-Junction Breakdown
it is quite common to have a little bit of spot ouzing from the T-junction
If this is soaking a pad please let Dr Greens team know
If the area is greater than a 10c piece please let our team know
If a T0junction breaks down it often takes 1-2 weeks to fully declare itself before it starts to improve. Dr Greens team will advise you on dressings durning this time
Once fully healed with a widened scar a further excision can be planned to neaten the scar.
Stitch extrusion
It is very common for a stitch to poke through the wound.
This occurs as the stitch begins to dissolve. The stitch is a single long stitch and when it breaks and end can poke out through the wound. If this occurs DO NOT PANIC. Simple pull the stitch and trim it. It is safe to do this and your wound will not fall apart.
Occasionally the deep stitches can act as a foreign object. Your body may try to eject these. You can get several stitches do this. The stitches will look like a small infection. Once the stitch ejects it will release a small amount of “pus -like” material and then settle down. You DO NOT need antibiotics for this and DO NOT put any cream on it. it is best to settle on its own. Place a small bandage over and let Dr greens team know. This is NOT going to result in a big infection.
Massage
Dr green will advise when to commence massage. This is usually commenced after your post operative appointment once all wounds have been reviewed.
Once the initial dressings have been removed and the wounds cleared you will be advised on when to start massaging.
Dressings and Creams
DO NOT remove surgical tapes or dressings without speaking to Dr Greens team prior.
Early removal of the surgical dressings will increase the risk of infection and wound complications
DO NOT put any cream, ointment or other lotions on your wound unless directed to by Dr Green or his team.
There is a lot of poor information in the online forums when it comes to wound care. Wound care is specific to each individual and global advise may bnot be suitabel for you.
If you read of any potential treatment online pease speak to Dr Green before doing this.
Supplements
DO NOT commence any supplements until directed to by Dr Green or his team
Blood thinning supplements such as ARNICA, tumeric, garlic, krill oil are NOT advised in the immediate post operative period. Dr Green will advise when these supplements are suitable for use.