Leave skin glue or strips in place. If you have a drain or a special dressing, follow the separate instructions you were given.
You may shower after 24 hours if cleared at discharge. Gently rinse and pat dry. Do not soak or swim until your incision is healed and your team clears you.
For the first 24 hours, a cold pack wrapped in a cloth may help: apply for up to 20 minutes, then leave it off for at least 30 minutes. Do not place ice directly on your skin.
Activity and meals
Take short walks several times a day and use your arm gently for daily activities as comfortable.
Avoid heavy lifting, weight training, jogging, swimming, and bouncing movements until cleared at your follow-up visit.
Return to your usual diet as tolerated. If a medicine upsets your stomach, ask whether to take it with food.
When to call
Contact the practice for a breast that becomes rapidly larger, firmer, or more painful, or for increasing redness or drainage.
Heavy bleeding, faintness, chest pain, or breathing trouble requires emergency evaluation.
Medicines, comfort & driving
Take medicines exactly as prescribed. Ask before adding a pain medicine or laxative, especially if you have kidney or liver disease, ulcers, or take a blood thinner.
Some prescription pain medicines already contain acetaminophen (Tylenol). Check labels to avoid taking it twice. Do not mix opioid pain medicines with alcohol or other sedating medicines unless your prescriber has specifically directed you.
Do not drive while taking a medicine that makes you sleepy or slows your reactions. Follow the time restriction from your anesthesia team, and wait until you can move comfortably and brake safely.
Walk regularly within your procedure’s restrictions. Use your prescribed bowel regimen if pain medicine causes constipation. Drink fluids only within any limits set by your medical team.
WHEN TO GET HELP
Know when to call.
Call 911 for an emergency
Chest pain, trouble breathing, fainting, or heavy bleeding that will not stop needs emergency help.
Contact the practice promptly
Call for fever of 101°F (38.3°C) or higher, worsening pain, spreading redness, pus, repeated vomiting, inability to keep liquids down, or difficulty urinating.
Severe or rapidly worsening abdominal pain, a swollen abdomen with vomiting, or feeling seriously unwell needs urgent medical evaluation. If you cannot reach your team, go to an emergency department.