Preparing For Your Breast Reduction Surgery

You've scheduled your appointment — now what? Now is the time for you to have second thoughts, run around looking for bras, experience anxiety and have your life in an emotional upheaval. For many, this is a very stressful time, but it doesn't have to be. It's perfectly natural for you to be "freaking out" now that surgery is a few weeks away. Just follow the advice of actual patients (and, of course, your own surgeon) and things will go much more smoothly.

The Preoperative Appointment

If you schedule a surgery date you will more than likely schedule a pre-operative visit as well. This will entail another trip to the surgeon's office and blood work to check your red and white blood cell counts among other things. This is often called a CBC test for complete blood count. This will identify any pre-existing disorders such as anemia, some cancers (leukemia or lymphoma), and whether your body might be fighting an infection. Usually before surgery, only a CBC is performed, as well as a pregnancy test if you are of childbearing age.

Also, if you are a smoker, please quit now. It will greatly reduce your risk of necrotic tissue and nipple loss. Do not take any chances with this. This is your life.

You will go over your post-op instructions and the medications you shouldn't be taking as well as the ones you should take before surgery. You may be instructed to get a mammogram, particularly if you are 35 or over (some surgeons instruct their younger patients to get a mammogram as well), so be prepared. Please read our special section on Mammograms and Self Breast Examinations, with photos, for more information.

You also should be given a list of medications that you must cease or avoid taking. These medications will mostly be aspirin-containing products and supplements that may inhibit clot formation or cause problems with anesthesia. Please visit the Medication and Supplement List page for more information or Click Here to view a Printable List of Medications To Avoid.

You'll be given a list of things to buy to have in your healing room, things like bags of frozen peas, raspberries or blueberries for icing you down to ease the swelling and bruising. You will be given or asked to buy soap, perhaps Hibiclens, for cleansing a few days before surgery (to kill staph and other surface bacteria that are normally on your skin). Some surgeons simply suggest Dial Antibacterial soap. You will usually need to get gauze or other types of dressings to tend to your incision areas. We have provided a list for your convenience below, or you may click the link for a printable version to have on hand.

Preparing Your Home and Surroundings For Your Surgery

Preparing your home for your recovery can be frazzle-free.

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General Preparation Tips

Have lots of movies, books, magazines or videogames on hand. You need to take it easy for a few days, so you may become bored and anxious. Remember to take it slow!
A laptop can be a blessing during recovery. Trading stories with a surgery buddy or on the message boards, and emailing friends can help you pass the time while you are bedridden.
If you do not wish to have a laptop or have no access to one, consider a Gameboy, Playstation 2 or Nintendo Gamecube to keep yourself occupied.
A detachable, handheld showerhead can be a definite plus when you're allowed to bathe again. There are inexpensive models that have a rubber sleeve that fits over your tub spout.
Have a hand mirror on your recovery nightstand.
Keep a good moisturizer on your nightstand, as well.
A box of Kleenex is great to have on hand, especially if you get emotional from your medications or anesthesia.
Have fresh film, a disposable or digital "post-op photo" camera on hand, especially if you are considering documenting your procedure online on a personal site or a breast reduction site like this one.
Have your journal and a few fresh, fully inked pens ready if you intend to document your post-operative thoughts in writing. Or type it into your laptop or speak it into a miniature recorder. Remember to stock up on fresh batteries!
A body pillow is quite helpful, especially when you are allowed to sleep without major elevation.
If you think television, video games and reading are eventually going to bore you or stress your eyes, have a tape or CD player on hand with your favorite relaxing music or recorded books.
Just in case the lights go out, have a flash light on your nightstand.
Alternatively, install a nightlight to illuminate your way to the bathroom just in case the need arises in the middle of the night.
If you don't have a laptop and you have online friends who are dying to hear from you, have your significant other "post" or email them with your recovery news. We worry, okay? Give him a list of the email addresses and URLs.
Have an answering machine connected to the phone next to your recovery area. Getting woken up when you just got to sleep is so annoying. Don't forget to turn down the sound and turn off the ringer.
Place a small stool or plastic chair in your shower so that you will be able to take a shower while sitting when you are able.

Three Weeks Before Surgery:

Quit smoking as soon as you can, but at least 2 weeks before surgery. Nicotine patches and gum can be just as bad, if not worse. Nicotine is a vasoconstrictor and can prohibit proper wound healing, leading to increased chances of necrosis and poor scar formation.
Cease all consumption of aspirin containing products.
Cease all consumption of anti-inflammatory medications such as Motrin, Ibuprofen, etc.
Cease all consumption of vitamin E.
Cease all consumption of garlic tablets, diet pills, energy pills, gingko biloba, echinacea and other herbal and homeopathic medicines which your surgeon has instructed you not to take. See our Medication and Supplement List.
Begin eating a well balanced diet rich in whole grains, lean protein and green leafy vegetables. Fruits can be essential, but please watch your starches, refined carbohydrates and sugar.
Begin shopping for your supplies such as pillows, batteries, recovery gear, homeopathic medications, etc.

Arrange for pet care and childcare in advance.

Two Weeks Before Surgery:

Start taking Vitamin C.
Cease all alcohol consumption.
Begin a low sodium diet, no more than 1200-1500 mg/day.
If you haven't started a well-balanced diet, you should definitely begin eating a meal plan based on whole grains, lean protein and green leafy vegetables. Fruits can be essential, but please watch your starches, refined carbohydrates and sugar.
Have your prescriptions filled and buy other important medications, including over the counter (OTC) items.

Ask your surgeon for a prescription for a few Valium, or ask if you may take an over the counter sleeping medication such as Tylenol PM. It can be very difficult to sleep especially when your back begins to cramp up from sleeping elevated. Valium can help with anxiety and tense muscles as well.
Remember to purchase an oral thermometer if you don't have one. It is imperative that you check your temperature regularly for fever. Many times, a high fever is a sign of infection. However, a slightly elevated temperature is also typical in healing patients. Usually, any temperature over 100º F is suspect, but be sure to ask your surgeon what temperature is acceptable.
If you are stressed, you may wish to engage in light yoga, meditation or breathing exercises.

One Week Before Surgery:

Clean your house or have it cleaned.
Pay your bills beforehand so you don't have to worry about it during your recovery.
Make a list of necessary functions for your caretaker, friend or significant other which must be carried out during your recovery (i.e. thermostat settings, errands, pet feeding instructions, etc.)
Purchase Bromelain tablets or Arnica Montana, but be sure to ask your surgeon for his permission.
If you have an older child, you may wish to explain what you may need from him or her during your recovery. Some possibilities are help with household chores, personal care and food preparation.
Be sure to have extra blankets on hand.
Talk to your spouse or significant other about any concerns you may have. They may be experiencing pre-operative anxiety as well or have some insights or questions you haven't thought of.

2-3 Days Before Surgery:

If your caretaker will not be preparing meals, shop for easily prepared recovery foods like low-sodium soups, microwavable dinners, or cook your own meals and freeze them ahead of time. You may want to purchase meal replacement shakes and bars (watch sugar percentage), pudding, or Jell-O.
If you will not have a caretaker, place your non-perishable food items at hip level, on the counter, along with a can opener and other items you will need , such as pots, oven mitts, silverware, plastic cups, bottled water, etc.
Take out the trash, recyclables, etc. so you don't have to worry about it during your recovery.
If you can't have either your children or pets cared for, tend to their needs beforehand. For example, put cans of food on the counter with the can opener so you don't have to reach for it. If you have cats, change the litter box beforehand or buy several disposable litter boxes.
Have all of your laundry taken care of before your surgery. Have clean towels, washcloths, several changes of comfortable clothes, and several pairs of socks easily available and at hip level.
Place all of your medications either in a weekly pill case or in labeled containers, categorizing them by day and time.
Set up a recovery area with all of your medications, entertainment items, cordless phone, intercom system, alarm clock (if you need to be reminded of medication times), bottled water, a few packages of crackers, tissues, and anything else you think you will need.
A bedside lamp is essential for good lighting while reading, both for medication bottles and your books and magazines.
A flashlight should be placed next to your bed as well. You may want to use it to guide you to the restroom or kitchen in the middle of the night, or just in case the lights go out.
If you have a comfortable recliner, you may want to make this your recovery bed. You may find it is easier to get out of the recliner, compared to your bed, so try both out beforehand.
Have a bucket, pail or large coffee can with a lid on the ride home and at your bedside. If you become nauseated, you will have a catch pail and a means to seal it so you don't have to look at or smell it.
Place your ice packs, bags of frozen peas, raspberries or blueberries in the freezer. If you have a vertical freezer, placing the packs and bags at hip level is best.
Have your heating pads, hot water bottles and instant heat packs handy.
Prepare a "kit" for your car for the ride home. This kit will include some low sodium or rye crackers, Cheez-its or Goldfish crackers to help alleviate nausea, bottles of water or ginger ale, a large coffee can with lid, sunglasses, possibly your pain medications, pillows to prop up around you, a towel on the seat and a blanket or throw to keep you warm.
Begin washing with Dial Antibacterial or Hibiclens soap to help rid your body of the naturally occurring staph bacteria on the skin's surface. This can significantly decrease the amount of Staph living on your skin. Some surgeons instruct that you begin washing with Hibiclens or Dial three days before, again the next night, and the night before surgery as well.

1 Day Before Surgery:

"Black out" your windows so that when you do get to sleep — regardless of the hour — you can stay asleep.
Place personal care items and toiletries that you will need at hip level so that you have no need to reach or bend over. For instance, place your toilet paper on a footstool near the toilet.
If you will not have a caretaker to prepare food for you, make sure that all of your non-perishable food items, can openers, bowls, plates, silverware and glasses or bottles of water are at hip level. A good place is the kitchen counter or table. You should not bend over or reach over your head during your recovery.
Make time for yourself before your surgery. Pour a bath, light some candles, listen to some music -- relax. Try to gather your thoughts and soothe your mind. However, make sure you shower and scrub your body with Dial Antibacterial or Hibiclens soap afterwards, to ensure that you are clean. You may wish to do again before you leave for your surgery.
Wash your hair the night before surgery — it may be a long time before you get to do that again. Be sure that it is dry before you leave for the surgery center or hospital.
Some surgeons may instruct you to remove any nail polish or acrylic nails; do so if you were told.
If your surgeon has given you Valium, you may wish to take one the evening before your surgery. This can help with pre-op anxiety.
Do not eat anything or drink anything but clear liquids after midnight if your surgery is in the morning. Of course, if your surgery is later, your surgeon will let you know when you must cease food and liquid consumption.
Last but not least, relax. Excessive stress can hinder your recovery. It is important to not let anxiety get the best of you. Practice your breathing exercises and try to get a good night's sleep.

Pre-op Shopping

All of the above suggestions and products you should buy may be overwhelming at first so print out our helpful shopping list to help you with your pre-op woes.

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Of course not all of the items below are needed; use the list as a general guideline. You may already have a majority of the items on hand. Blank spaces have also been added for items that you may want or need that have not been listed.

Pharmacy/Online:

Medications:
1. pain meds _________________________________
2. antibiotics _________________________________
3. blood pressure (if applicable)__________________
4. vitamins __________________________________
5. other _____________________________________
6. other _____________________________________
7. other _____________________________________
Pill Case
Med Time Chart of when to take your meds. We have provided a printer-friendly version for your convenience.
Birth control meds. Don't forget that some antibiotics can interfere with birth control, so in the event that you do have relations, use another form of protection as well.
Wound dressings, gauze pads and rolls
Steri-Strips (ask your surgeon if you will need to replace your own or if you can use them)
Bacitracin, polysporin, etc.
Hibiclens or antibacterial soap
Arnica montana
Bromelain tablets
Topical arnica (not to be placed on suture line)
Over the counter (OTC) sleep meds like Tylenol PM, or ask surgeon for a prescription
Oral thermometer
Mild stool softeners (like Colace), although ask your surgeon first
Silicone sheeting (BioDermis.com), or silicone gel (i.e. Xeragel, Mederma, Cimeosil)
Moist towelettes, make-up remover towelettes, etc.
Vitamin C tablets or capsules
Elastic bandages for compression
OTC muscle relaxers for sore backs (ask your surgeon first!)
Hot water bottles/heating pads/microwavable heat packs for your back.
Lubriderm lotion for dry skin
Boxes of Kleenex

Grocery Store:

Bags of frozen peas or berries
Ritz crackers, Vanilla Wafers, Cheez-its or Goldfish crackers to ease nausea
Bottled water, electrolyte or energy drinks (ask your surgeon if these are acceptable)
Daikon (root vegetable for cleansing the bowels). May be best after you are finished with your medications.
Low sodium canned soups
Vegetables
Fruit
Salmon
Non-fat cottage cheese
Non-fat yogurt
Protein and other meal replacement shakes (watch sugar content). Ultramet & Myoplex shakes are a good choice
Protein and other meal replacement bars (watch sugar content).
Jell-O, puddings, and other soft individual serving size snacks
bucket or large coffee can with lid (for nausea)
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Department Store or Other:

Several fluffy pillows (3 to 4 under your head and back, one under your knees). Some patients like to have one on each side of them as well.
Or, if you prefer, body pillow(s)
Hand mirror
Pajamas, robe, or oversized, comfortable shirts that buttons in the front. Don't use nightclothes that need to be pulled over your head.
Pair of slippers (or several pairs of thick socks)
Support garments, sports bras, etc.
Soft hair scrunchies if you have long hair
A whistle, a bell, a walkie-talkie or an intercom system for alerting your caregiver
Camera with flash and film, or a disposable camera
Journal/notebook
Fresh ink pens
Lap top with long phone cord (or wireless) and power cord (or borrow friend's)
Gameboy or a Playstation/Nintendo for entertainment
CD player and your favorite CDs
Audio books
Books or magazines
Fresh batteries for remote, Gameboy, Discman, booklight, etc.
Flash light or nightlight for late night bathroom trips
Answering machine so you can sleep undisturbed (or borrow a friend's)
Nightlights to light the way to the bathroom at night
Small waterproof or plastic chair for the shower. You can suddenly become dizzy from the medications, so this is for your safety. It's great for the first few showers when you are not yet steady on your feet.

What to Do In Case of a Complication

Be prepared and stay calm! Here is a list of what to look for and what to do in case anything unexpected happens.

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Please contact your surgeon or the on-call physician immediately if you notice any of the following:

bleeding from your suture lines
pus or cloudy discharge from your incision areas, nipples or elsewhere
a foul odor from your incision areas, nipples or elsewhere
uncontrollable pain
blisters or rash
temperature over 100.5º F
inability to pass waste (both liquid and solid)
uncontrollable dizziness not related to the pain relievers

Please contact your surgeon or the on-call physician and go to the emergency room as soon as possible if you notice any of the following:

passing blood through urine or feces, or spitting up blood
abrupt and severe swelling and discoloration (aside from normal swelling)
blackening of the skin (which is clearly NOT a bruise)
uncontrollable vomiting
loss of consciousness not related to sedatives
temperature over 105º F
convulsions
paralysis

What to do in case of a complication:

STAY CALM.
Have your emergency numbers handy. Contact, or have your caregiver contact, your surgeon or the on-call physician to let them know of your problem as soon as you can.
If you are going to the emergency room, don't forget to tell your surgeon which hospital you are going to.
Bring all of your medications with you to the hospital.
It may be cautionary to pack an overnight bag ahead of time "just in case".
If you are able, keep a written journal (and, if possible, photos) of your symptoms and complaints.

Emergency Numbers:

Surgeon: ______________________________________

Emergency On-call Physician: _____________________

Hospital: ______________________________________

Pharmacy: ____________________________________

Parents: _______________________________________

Friend: ________________________________________

Other: ________________________________________