The following instructions represent the written form of the instructions your surgeon has already given you at the check-up. Our experience has taught us that certain advice needs to be repeated several times, as they are crucial for the follow-up treatment.
During the surgical procedure the surplus of breast tissue was removed, bigger vessels bleeding was taken under control and the drain was inserted into the operated area. The incision was sutured; several smaller gauze layers and cotton pads and finally a compression vest then covered it.
The function of the drain is to remove blood and other fluids from the operated area.
The function of a compression vest is to prevent any possibility of bleeding and hence accumulation of blood in the operated area. Its aim is also to shape the tissue that has reduced its volume. Compression should be the highest above the operation site and prevent (if correctly applied) any fluid accumulation in the operated area. The patient has to wear the vest for two to three weeks around the clock. The vest is of great importance during the first days after the procedure as the site and the wounds are still quite raw.
If there are no complications, the drain is usually removed on the second or third day – that is when there is no fluid discharge anymore. Sutures are removed after seven days. Skin could be bluish, which is normal.
Discharging of a bloody coloured fluid can be excessive a day following the procedure and it can be a consequence of large quantity of anaesthesia fluids. If there is a massive excretion on the second day, it could mean that there is capillary bleeding in the operated area. If blood accumulates in the operated area, hematoma could appear. In most cases, the compression was not adequate. We recommended you to notify your surgeon if that is the case.
We need to underline once more, that the vest is not an accessory but it is there to make pressure above the operated site and thus prevent the accumulation of blood in the operated area.
If the cotton pads get wet, we need to replace them with new ones or with smaller towels. It is recommended to keep a small gauze directly over the wound and keep the area sterile. You can take a shower, but make sure that the said small gauze is protected. After the shower put cotton pads or small towels over it, as already mentioned.
If you are in pain, you may take some painkillers that do not contain acetylsalicylic acid. Aspirin contains that acetylsalicylic acid and can therefore provoke additional bleeding from already closed vessels.