Dr. Gerzenshtein’s recommendations to his patients are found below. Consult with your own surgeon for his ore her specific instructions. After surgery you will be placed in a bra, possibly with an ace wrap above it. If the ace is present, it was applied to control pocket position in cases where implant position was made submuscular and the muscle was not entirely divided at its lower edge, this means that the ace wrap must be re-applied exactly the way you were instructed. The ace wrap along with the dressing, will removed for the first time 24 hours after surgery, in the office. After the initial dressing change, dressings should be changed twice a day in the following manner: Remove old dressing and wash or shower, after drying, apply new dressing; ABDs followed by bra, then ace if indicated. When the edges of the steri-strips become frayed trim them. With time, as very little is left behind, they may be removed (usually 2-4 weeks). It is not routine to have drains placed at the time of surgery, however, at times, if bleeding is diffuse, and cannot be addressed via surgical maneuvers (clipping, suturing, tying) it may be safer to leave behind a drain in attempting to prevent a hematoma (blood collection), if present, the drains will be removed within one to three days. Wear a soft comfortable bra for the first 7 days after surgery. Two weeks after surgery you may purchase any type of bra you wish. If non-absorbable sutures were used, they will be removed 7 days after surgery. You may begin breast massage the 2nd week after surgery, you will be instructed on breast massage at your post-op appointment, continue massaging for at least 6 weeks after surgery. Do not expose incisions to the sun and/or tanning UV light for at least 1 year, however, you may begin tanning 4 weeks after surgery while keeping incisions covered. If sun exposure in unavoidable, use a product with SPF of at least 30.
Jacob Gerzenshtein, MD, FACS,
A Board Certified Plastic Surgeon
