What can you do to help?

Breathing exercises.  After any operation it is important to take a few extra, really deep breaths during the day.  This helps inflate the lungs fully and avoid chest infections.  Following an operation the lungs can become slightly sticky; this simple exercise helps avoid problems.

Gentle arm exercises. Gently exercise your shoulders and chest wall muscles as soon after your procedure as possible.  Reach up and place the flat palm of your hand on the top of your head for a few seconds.  Repeat this once or twice an hour.

Wear a sports bra and look after the dressings.   Wear a non wired sports bra, ideally day and night for six weeks. Keep the dressings intact until your the outpatient review.  If you have any problem with this, please contact the ward staff (see below).

Help avoid DVT.   Reduce the small risk of DVT by exercising the calf muscles, (circular ankle movements and regular walking), in the early postoperative period.  

What to avoid:

Smoking.  Smoking inhibits wound healing, promotes bleeding, infection and coughing.  PLEASE DO NOT SMOKE.

Soaking. Although the dressing is showerproof it is wise to avoid a prolonged soaking.  Following a shower, pat the dressings dry with a clean towel and ensure that they are dry before dressing fully.  A hairdryer, on a low setting, can be used to help but ensure that you do not burn your chest, which may be numb. The wounds will take approximately six weeks to strengthen. It is important to avoid a prolonged soaking during the whole of this post operative phase.

Long distance travel.  Long-haul flights and prolonged car journeys should be avoided for a period of six weeks. 

Pressure / knocks.  Undue pressure, sudden movements or knocks to the chest are to be avoided at all costs.  This may mean sleeping on your back for at least a fortnight.

What to expect:

Discomfort.   The initial discomfort of a breast enlargement procedure should wear off rapidly.  Any pain felt should be easily controlled with simple oral analgesia, (avoid Aspirin).  If the discomfort increases, advice should be sought from the ward staff (see below).

Swelling.   As with any surgery, patients can expect a moderate degree of swelling.  Any dramatic or unequal swelling should be reorted to the ward staff (see below).

Gurgling.  The implants are inserted through a small incision.  Air is trapped within the pocket and is absorbed over the following few days. During this period patients may feel an unnatural gurgling or crackling sensation (likened to rice crispies!).

Bruising.   A small amount of bruising is common.  Any significant bruising should be reported to the ward staff (see below).

Numbness. As discussed in the preoperative consultations, post operative numbness is usual. On the whole this gardually resolves but may take months to do so.

If you are unsure about anything before leaving the hospital, please ask the nursing staff.

Contact the ward staff if you notice any of the following:

• Increasing pain
• Significant swelling
• Fever
• Excessive weeping through the dressing

Outpatient Review.  An appointment should have already been arranged for you.  This appointment should be printed on the bottom of your admission letter.   If you have any queries, please telephone 01752 707345.

Contacting the Ward Staff.  In the unlikely event that you do have one of the problems mentioned above please contact the ward staff in the first instance.  They are available 24 hours a day and will contact me once they have assessed the situation.

Raleigh Ward (Nuffield Hospital) :  01752 775861

Duchy Hospital :  01872 226100