Rehabilitation after mammoplasty - care for breast edema, tips and limitations

Stages of rehabilitation

Carrying out mammoplasty is a fairly serious surgical intervention, performed under general anesthesia, accompanied by tissue incisions and trauma when placing implants, followed by suturing. Therefore, the rehabilitation process takes place in stages, with certain restrictions and prohibitions over several days or weeks. The patient needs to strictly monitor her general well-being, monitor the condition of the postoperative scar and follow all the recommendations of the plastic surgeon. This is necessary so that expectations regarding the desired shape and size of the breast are met, and the recovery process goes according to plan.

In general, the first (postoperative) rehabilitation period lasts up to two months, full recovery occurs within 6-12 months.

Rehabilitation after mammoplasty by day

The patient spends the first day after the operation in the ward under the supervision of a doctor and nurses, recovering from anesthesia. An increase in temperature is possible as a reaction to incisions and tissue injury, pain. Antipyretics, painkillers, and antibiotics may be recommended to prevent wound infection. After the operation, a semi-lying or sitting position is required; by the end of the day you can stand up and walk. You can drink 3-4 hours after anesthesia, eat food after 5-6 hours.

On the second day, the doctor conducts an examination, removes drainages and makes dressings. In some clinics, the patient is allowed to go home by the end of the second or third day with positive dynamics of recovery.

The patient remains at home for the third or fourth day. Physical activity is prohibited; walking around the house is acceptable.

On the fifth day, a visit to the clinic is required for a follow-up examination by a surgeon and assessment of the recovery process, dressing, and suture treatment.

From 6 to 11 days after surgery, there is a smooth return to normal life with a number of restrictions. Physical activity, sports and heavy lifting are prohibited.

On the 12th day, the doctor conducts an examination again, monitoring the process of restoration of breast tissue and postoperative suture. The next visit during the normal rehabilitation process is planned for the 6th week from the date of surgery.

In the second or third week after the intervention, light housework is allowed; after the doctor’s permission, you can start training after about a month.

When is trocar cystomy necessary?

Diseases of the urinary system cause people not only physical suffering and psychological discomfort, but also threaten life. Therefore, surgical treatment prescribed by a qualified doctor is the only correct option.

Trocar cystostomy is prescribed in the following cases:

prostate adenoma and complications caused by it;
neoplasms in the genitourinary system;
abnormal structure of the genital organs;
stones and rocky formations in the urinary canals, obstructing the outflow of urine;
mechanical damage to the urethra due to injury to the penis;
uncontrolled urination caused by psychological problems;
abdominal surgeries, etc.

A cystoma is installed in cases where the patient, for a number of reasons, is unable to use a traditional catheter.

Bladder surgeries are performed in hospitals and medical centers. After the procedure, the patient, depending on his condition, is transferred to the intensive care ward or to the department ward, where he requires constant care and observation.

Dynamics of changes in the breast during the recovery period

In the first month after surgery, the breasts are quite painful, the tissues swell, and the breast size may be larger than expected. Bruising and small hematomas may appear in the area of the mammary glands. Women are concerned about how long breast swelling lasts after surgery. Maximum swelling will occur in the first week; within 2-3 weeks all these changes will subside. The pain will be maximum in the first days; painkillers are used to eliminate it. Gradually, the intensity of pain decreases by 2-3 weeks, and the need for medications disappears.

In the first two months, the breasts will be somewhat unnaturally raised; by the end of the second month, the implants will completely take root, take their proper place, tissue swelling will go away, and the shape of the breast will become natural. Breast tissue restoration takes place throughout the first year after the intervention. There may be problems with sensitivity of the halos and nipple, burning or itching of the skin. These problems are acceptable and disappear by the end of the first or beginning of the second year.

Diet for trocar cystostomy

People who have cystostomy drainage installed must follow a diet and refrain from eating a number of foods. Meals should be regular and leisurely. During the first time after the operation, this is monitored by a caregiver - a relative or a visiting nurse.

It is not recommended to include fried and smoked, fatty meat, mushrooms, sausages, canned food, as well as marinades and pickles in your diet. You should also exclude dairy products and citrus fruits. The former are rich in calcium, which provokes stone disease, the latter contain oxalic acid, which irritates the mucous membranes of the urinary tract.

Vegetable soups and salads, boiled fish, lean meat, berries, fruits, and herbs are recommended for consumption.

As for drinks, patients with diseases of the genitourinary system should refrain from carbonated water, coffee, strong tea, lemonade, alcohol, and freshly squeezed juices. Herbal and green teas, rosehip decoction, and dried fruit compote will be useful.

Patients need to follow not only a diet, but also a drinking regime. For diseases of the genitourinary system, you should drink at least 1.5-2 liters of liquid per day.

What to pay attention to during the rehabilitation period

There are a number of warning signs, the appearance of which is a reason for immediate consultation with a doctor. The first thing that needs to be monitored is the condition of the postoperative wound and the process of scar formation. It is important to notify your doctor immediately if:

increased pain in the area of the stitches or inside the chest;
discharge appeared from the nipple area - green, yellowish, bloody, with an odor;
the breast is swollen, hard to the touch, painful, sharply increased in size;
parts of the implant are felt, they move, causing discomfort;
the sutures become wet and fluid or blood oozes out;
nipples itch and itch, have lost sensitivity;
breasts are visually different sizes, asymmetrical.

It is important to monitor your general condition if you feel unwell, have a fever, headache, or nausea. Any signs of malaise, discomfort and other complaints are a reason for an immediate visit to the doctor.

Psychological aspect

People who have undergone cystostomy drainage surgery need sensitive attention and support. For many of them, the operation becomes a psychological shock. Patients may find it difficult to come to terms with the idea that their lifestyle will now change. Many people develop a feeling of inferiority. Often, symptoms of depression are added to the physiological discomfort after surgery.

Therefore, it is very important that there is an understanding person next to the patient during rehabilitation, who is ready not only to ensure hygiene, but also to listen, reassure, and encourage. It is necessary to consistently and calmly convince the patient that life with a cystoma is not a death sentence, but a new stage that gives the opportunity to enjoy the world without pain and suffering.

The patient's relatives and friends, empathizing with him and imbued with his decadent moods, do not always find spiritual strength and the right words to support.
Professional health visitors cope with this much better. Experience in communicating with patients and general training have an impact. If you have the opportunity to choose, then it would be better to entrust the care of your loved one to professionals. In contact with

What not to do after mammoplasty

After the operation, there are a number of restrictions that are gradually weakened as tissues are restored and postoperative scars heal.

You should not drink liquids for the first 3 hours after surgery (vomiting may occur), and you should not eat food for the first 5-6 hours.

For 4-5 days you should not shower your entire body (you can wash your lower part, wipe your hands, neck, and face with a damp towel).

In the first week, you should not lie down, sleep on your stomach at night, raise your arms above shoulder level, lift more than 1 kg of weight, make sudden movements with your arms, or bend forward and down.

Until the end of 2 weeks after the operation, you cannot drive a car or have sex. Until the end of the first year of rehabilitation after mammoplasty, pregnancy is undesirable - you should take care of contraception.

For a month after the operation, physical activity, sports and training are prohibited. Exercises with push-ups and stretching of the pectoral muscles are carried out no earlier than 24-25 weeks after surgery.

During the entire rehabilitation period, you should avoid sudden weight fluctuations, serious stress and nervous strain, and anxiety.

In the first three months, you should stop drinking alcohol and smoking, limit spicy, salty, spiced, fatty and fried foods. It is important to control fluid intake to avoid swelling.

For at least 6 months, you should avoid visiting saunas, steam baths, solariums, prolonged exposure to the sun, and taking hot baths.

Ostomy care

It is quite possible for the patient to take care of the stoma at home. The ostomy hole is not a wound and does not require sterile conditions or sterile gloves.

Before changing the colostomy bag, check that everything is at hand. You will need:

paper napkins, soft fabric non-sterile napkin;
plastic bag for used colostomy bag;
mirror (if the patient provides care himself);
scissors for a hole in the plate;
template (stencil) for determining the size of the stoma;
soap;
if necessary - non-sterile wipes, barrier paste and skin treatment products.

It is rational to care for your stoma in the evening, before bed. The colostomy bag should not be changed immediately after eating, as intensive separation of intestinal contents may begin.

The procedure for treating a stoma and replacing a colostomy bag:

After washing your hands with soap, remove the used colostomy bag into a prepared bag and close it.
Clean the stoma with a damp soft cloth. Wash your hands again.
After which you can begin to cleanse the skin. It is enough to blot it with a soft towel. And, if possible, leave to dry for a few minutes. If there is a need to cut hair with scissors. Do not use razors or depilatory products as they cause irritation.
Place the stencil on the stoma and trace the desired diameter with a pen.
Cut a hole of the proper size in the adhesive sheet.
If ulcers, wounds, or bleeding occur on the skin or intestinal mucosa, you should see your doctor. Remaining glue from the plate can be carefully wiped off with a napkin or use a special hypoallergenic leather cleaner.
If there are unevenness or changes in skin texture, apply barrier paste around the stoma for better sealing and stick on a retainer plate.
The choice of position of the bag for collecting intestinal contents depends on the patient’s activity - if he is constantly in bed, the bag should be oriented across the abdomen. In all other cases, the bottom of the bag should point down.

Important! To treat the skin, you cannot use products based on alcohol, ether, or aggressive antiseptic solutions.

An easy-to-care stoma is one that protrudes above the surface of the skin. In this case, it is easy to achieve tight coverage of the intestinal stump and a tight connection.

If the stoma is located in a recess and retracted, then so-called correctors are used - convex plates. They cover the intestinal stump using a tight flange. The concave shape of the products makes it possible to conveniently attach colostomy bags. For greater reliability, the plates are attached to the torso using a wide elastic band.

Photo: Convex plate, surface adjacent to the skin

Important points during the rehabilitation period

In the first days after mammoplasty and subsequent months, proper breast care in the area of postoperative scars is important. This is important for their fastest healing without severe deformations. In the first days, the doctor treats the area of the sutures and changes the bandages; they are prohibited from being removed or wet. If absorbable threads were used, they are not removed; the resulting crust over the seam cannot be torn off until it completely falls off. To stimulate scar healing, your doctor may prescribe special creams. They make the seams less noticeable.

During the first 2-3 months (or longer), you need to wear a compression bra after mammoplasty. For a month they wear it without taking it off, even at night; from the second month it is permissible to take off the underwear at night. This is important so that the implants take their place and take root well, there are no problems with the skin and ligaments, muscles, and blood flow and lymph drainage are normalized.

On the recommendation of a doctor, therapeutic breast massage may be prescribed. Initially, it is carried out by a massage therapist, teaching the woman, then she performs it independently, in the morning. In the first three weeks, movements should be as light as possible, then lymphatic drainage massage techniques are used.

The main pros and cons of various modifications of colostomy bags

Disposable colostomy bags

Single-component products are produced - a plate attached to the body and a receiving bag-container, which form one whole and are removed together as the bag is filled (up to half the volume).

Two-component colostomy bags consist of an adhesive-based plate and a replaceable bag. The plate is changed every 2-4 days. And the bag as it fills (up to half). The bag and the plate are firmly connected to each other using a flange.

Both receivers can be drainable or not.

Photo: Drainable one-component colostomy bag

Drainable bags have a channel (at the end opposite the attachment point) for discharging the contents. The drainage is closed with a clamp or other means. Through the drainage, as necessary, the contents of the collection are evacuated directly into the toilet, the hole is wiped and closed again with a clamp.

Photo: Non-drainable one-component colostomy bag

Pros:

the flexible plate gives greater freedom
of movement to the patient, tightly adhering to the skin and ensuring odorlessness and confidence in fastening;
almost invisible under clothes
.

Minuses:

more expensive to use (the cost of one product is from 100 rubles); the cost of use is also increased by the barrier paste for ostomy required for tightness (from 250 rubles);
the adhesive base of the plate can cause irritation on the skin, despite the use of hypoallergenic compounds.

Reusable colostomy bags

There is also an option for containers for collecting intestinal contents. There are few similar offers in pharmacy chains and online stores.

Flaws:

The main drawback of the design is its “unreliability”. A non-flexible ring with eyes is used. It is fixed to the body by pressing with an elastic band. The ribbon is worn around the torso. When changing body position (tilting, turning the body), leakage of the ring to the skin may occur. This causes the contents of the container to leak and produce an unpleasant odor. The solution in some situations is specially designed overlay plates that prevent excessive movement and maintain the stability of the connection.
Another issue that confuses patients is its considerable size. The ring and the elastic band that holds it in place may be visible under clothing.

Advantages:

Reusable colostomy bags are cheaper to use, since the main component of the product is used for a long time and repeatedly. Can be subjected to hygienic treatment (washing, sterilization). Only polymer bags with a ZIP clamp are regularly replaced with new ones; their cost is relatively low (20-40 rubles).

Photo: Reusable colostomy bag with fixing tape