Body Surgery - Pre & Post

In order to help prepare you for your upcoming surgery, we have created a page containing all of your surgical pre & post operative information. Please ensure you have read this page thoroughly prior to surgery. This page is easily accessible and means you will always have the most up-to-date version of our documentation

Before Surgery


Pre-operative instructions prior to all breast surgeries

  • The hospital will call you before your surgery to confirm your fasting instructions and admission time. You will receive regular emails before and after surgery so please make sure you check your junk folder!

    • No smoking (ideally 12 weeks before and after surgery)

    • No cosmetic injections

    • No body tattoos or piercings

    • Consent forms due

    • Outstanding accounts due

    • Organise a support person to pick you up and stay with you 24 hours after surgery

    • Discontinue ALL non-prescription medication (including multivitamins and herbal products)

    • Discontinue ALL diet medications- including shakes, thermogenic products, and duromine (phentermine)

    • No blood thinning medications, including: Aspirin, Ibuprofen (e.g. Nurofen), Non-Steroidal Anti-inflammatory, Vitamin E, Gingko Biloba or Fish Oil

    • No illegal drugs

    • You CAN continue to take the contraceptive pill

    • No alcohol

    • Report any signs of infections, colds, rashes, or skin sores

    • If you have ANY respiratory symptoms – notify the clinic

    • No spray tanning/ remove ALL traces of tan to prevent infection

    • If you require a medical certificate: email the clinic with exact days. For example: 24.3.2021 – 24.04.2021

    • Remove acrylic nails, nail polish/shellac off 1 finger each hand

    • Eyelash extensions may be left on

    • Wash your hair

    • Follow fasting instructions given to you by the hospital: NO eating or drinking anything after midnight. Regular prescription morning medication may be taken with a small sip of water

    • Shower with the anti-bacterial wash

    • Do not apply anything to the skin: lotion, powder, deodorant, perfume

    • Remove all jewellery and piercings

    • Wear clean, loose and comfortable clothes, ideally a button up or zip up top

    • Brush your teeth

    • No contact lenses

    • Visit a bathroom prior to admission to theatre

After Surgery


Post-operative instructions prior to all breast surgeries

    • It is important to mobilise after surgery – gentle, regular walking is recommended

    • No showering for 24 hours

    • Do not drive for 24 hours

    • You may experience giddiness, tiredness or mild nausea

    • Eat healthy food and drink plenty of fluids – limit salty foods and fizzy drinks as this will contribute to the swelling

    • Rest for maximum healing

    • Do not drink alcohol for 1 week

    • You may resume all supplements ceased after 2 weeks

    • No smoking for at least 6 weeks

    • The surgical area may feel quite unusual for the first few weeks. It may feel tight and there may be reduced sensitivity in that area

    • It may take 1 year to see the final results of your surgery

    • You may resume normal activity 2 weeks after surgery

    • Resume sexual activity as comfort permits

    • Avoid submerging your body in water until incisions have completely healed (usually 2 weeks postop)

    • You will need to wear the compression garment for at least 6 weeks. It should feel firm. Additional garments can be purchased through the clinic.

    • ALL patients will require a dressing change at week 1, 2, and 3

    • Dressing Changes are performed Monday – Friday in clinic

    • All patients will have scheduled postoperative appointments with their doctor at 6 weeks, 3 months, 6 months (optional), and 12 months (optional).

    • We will provide you with a Dressing Change Letter to give to your GP – please make sure you read this letter yourself! Unfortunately some GPs do not read the instructions properly

      • You will have a Virtual Appointment with the Nurse at Week 1

  • After your last scheduled dressing change you will look after your incisions yourself using Micropore (the brown or white roll of tape), please advise us in advance if you have any tape allergies!

    • Wash hands thoroughly

    • Remove dressings in the shower, rinse with tepid water

    • Pat dry with a clean towel

    • Snap a pic and email through to us for review: info@drchinsee.com.au

    • Cover with the Micropore

    • Change tape every 5 days, or as required (changing it too often may irritate the skin)

    • Continue use until your 6 week appointment

    • If you notice any discharge or redness contact the clinic ASAP

MEDICATION INSTRUCTIONS


Unless otherwise stated, you will be provided with scripts for cephalexin, oxycodone, ondansetron & celecoxib. Paracetamol is bought over the counter

    • ANTIBIOTIC: Cephalexin 500mg 4 times per day(every 6 hours) until finished

    • PAIN RELIEF: Paracetamol 1000mg 4 times per day (every 6 hours) up to 10 days

    • ANTI-INFLAMMATORY: Celecoxib 200mg 2 times per day (every 12 hours) up to 10 day

    • STRONG PAIN RELIEF: Oxycodone 5 or 10mg every 4 hours IF needed

    • ANTI-NAUSEA: Ondansetron 4mg every 4 hours IF needed

    • It is important to take the antibiotics as prescribed until finished to decrease risk of wound infection and implant rejection

    • We recommend that you take paracetamol REGULARLY with the antibiotics for at least the first 5 days

    • Paracetamol & Celecoxib work together in different ways to give you pain relief so it’s important to take them for this initial period, you can continue to take them for up to 10 days IF required

    • Oxycodone is an opioid pain killer. You should take this type of medication ONLY if you have severe pain AFTER taking paracetamol & celecoxib

    • Do NOT take the oxycodone on its own without taking regular paracetamol & celecoxib as they all work in different ways to control pain

    • Oxycodone can cause constipation: ensure a high fibre diet with plenty of water. You may ask the pharmacist for a stool softener

    • Oxycodone can impair your function (driving) when you first start taking it. If you don’t usually take oxycodone, please be aware this may affect you more

    • Antibiotics and oxycodone may cause nausea. Take both with food. Don’t take these medications together (try to space out by 30mins or so). An ondansetron wafer may relief nausea

    • Long term use of Oxycodone (over 2 weeks) may lead to addiction & dependence Please DISCARD any unused oxycodone after 2 weeks – you can drop it into the chemist or clinic for proper disposal

  • AFTER HOURS EMERGENCY MOBILE

    0447 158 040

    Calls only, no text messages

    If you are unable to reach our nurse and believe you may be experiencing a medical emergency contact 000

    WHAT IS A MEDICAL EMERGENCY?

    • Significant pain after taking all prescribed pain medication

    • Persistent vomiting

    • Excessive redness, swelling, bleeding (usually one sided)

    • A temperature over 37.8° C

This information is only intended for use of the individual who this link was sent to. Please do not share or recreate copies any of the information provided.