Accessory breast removal surgery is performed to solve the discomfort or aesthetic problems caused by accessory breasts. It removes unnecessary breast tissue and fat through surgery to restore the normal appearance of the patient's chest. Postoperative care is crucial to the quality of recovery and the prevention of complications. Good care can help patients reduce pain, avoid infection and speed up recovery.
1. Initial postoperative care
After accessory breast removal surgery, the patient enters the initial stage of recovery, and postoperative care is particularly important. At this time, protecting the wound, preventing infection and reducing swelling are the focus of care.
Keep the wound clean and dry
Postoperative wounds are susceptible to bacterial infection, so it is crucial to keep the wound clean and dry. Patients should change dressings regularly under the guidance of a doctor to avoid wound contamination. If the wound shows signs of infection such as redness, swelling, pus, etc., seek medical treatment promptly.
Rational use of antibiotics
To prevent postoperative infection, doctors will usually prescribe antibiotics based on the patient's condition. Patients must take the antibiotics on time as instructed by the doctor and must not stop taking the medication or reduce the dosage on their own.
Avoid strenuous exercise and friction
In the early postoperative period, the wound at the site of accessory breast removal has not yet healed. Patients need to avoid strenuous exercise or any activities that may cause friction to the wound, especially in the first two weeks after surgery. Avoid large-scale exercise, lifting heavy objects, and excessive compression of the wound to avoid trauma or affect healing.
Use a supportive chest strap
In order to help keep the breast tissue and the excised area stable, doctors usually recommend that patients wear a support chest belt after surgery. The support chest belt can effectively prevent the postoperative area from loosening and reduce the occurrence of postoperative discomfort and swelling.
2. Mid-term postoperative care
As recovery progresses, patients enter the mid-term care stage after accessory mastectomy, during which time attention should continue to be paid to wound healing, prevention of postoperative complications, and psychological counseling .
Be careful to avoid scarring
Some patients are prone to scar hyperplasia after surgery, especially those with tight skin tissue or those with a scar-prone constitution. In order to reduce scar formation, medical silicone patches or scar repair ointments can be used for care after surgery. It is necessary to start using relevant scar care products in a timely manner according to the doctor's advice.
Regular review
Regular postoperative check-ups are essential for postoperative recovery. During the check-ups, the doctor will check the wound healing, signs of infection or other complications. If any abnormalities are found, immediate treatment measures should be taken.
Control your diet
To help recovery, patients should keep a light diet after surgery and avoid eating too much irritating food, such as spicy, greasy and heavy-tasting food. At the same time, they should ensure adequate protein and vitamin intake to promote wound healing. Appropriate amounts of fruits and vegetables should be added to the diet, and constipation should be avoided to prevent increased abdominal pressure from affecting wound recovery.
Avoid hot baths or prolonged soaking in water
In the early period after surgery, you should avoid soaking in water for a long time, especially hot baths, to avoid increasing the risk of wound infection. It is recommended to use warm water when bathing and avoid direct water flow impacting the wound.
3. Long-term care after surgery
Long-term care after accessory mastectomy focuses more on stable recovery, functional recovery and maintenance of aesthetics , with the goal of ensuring long-term stability of postoperative effects.
Maintain good breast care habits
You should continue daily breast care after surgery, especially within 1 month after surgery. Try to avoid wearing a bra that is too tight and choose a suitable bra to provide appropriate support to avoid unnecessary pressure on the postoperative area.
Focus on psychological adjustment
After accessory breast removal, some patients may experience anxiety or inferiority due to changes in their appearance after the operation, especially during the recovery period when the wound has not completely healed. Patients may have too many doubts about the postoperative effect. At this time, patients need timely psychological counseling, maintain a positive attitude, and seek help from a psychologist if necessary.
Gradually resume normal activities
As recovery progresses, patients should gradually resume daily activities. During the first two months of recovery, they should avoid excessive physical labor and exercise. After the wound is completely healed, they can gradually engage in moderate exercise to promote blood circulation and maintain a healthy body shape.
Avoid excessive sun exposure
When the wound has not healed completely after surgery, the patient should avoid exposing the wound directly to sunlight. Ultraviolet rays may aggravate scar hyperplasia or pigmentation. Therefore, within 6 months after surgery, avoid direct sunlight on the wound and use sunscreen if necessary.
4. Prevention and treatment of postoperative complications
The main complications after accessory mastectomy include infection, bleeding, scar hyperplasia, hematoma, wound dehiscence, etc. Early detection and timely treatment can help prevent the occurrence or aggravation of complications.
Prevention and treatment of infection
Infection is one of the most common complications after surgery, especially in the early postoperative period. The main manifestations of infection are redness and swelling of the wound, pus discharge, fever, etc. If these symptoms occur, you should seek medical attention immediately and take antibiotic treatment.
Prevention of hematoma
After the operation, local hematoma may occur due to damaged blood vessels in the surgical wound. The patient can reduce the occurrence of hematoma by resting moderately and avoiding excessive activity. If symptoms such as swelling, fever or severe pain occur, timely medical treatment and treatment are required.
Scar management
For some patients who develop scar hyperplasia after surgery, anti-scar drugs should be used according to the doctor's advice to avoid excessive friction of the wound. More severe scar hyperplasia may require further treatment, such as laser therapy or injection of drugs.
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Postoperative care after accessory mastectomy is crucial to the recovery effect. Patients should follow the doctor's instructions, do a good job of care in all stages of postoperative care, maintain good living habits, a reasonable diet and psychological adjustment, which can accelerate the recovery process, reduce postoperative complications and ensure ideal postoperative effects. Postoperative care not only helps to improve appearance, but also affects the patient's overall health and well-being.