ACTIVITY After general anesthesia/sedation : go home, rest, limit activity for the day. Resume normal activity in 24 to 48 hours. Be careful as you walk or climb stairs; pain medication may cause dizziness. No alcoholic beverages for 24 hours. No smoking while alone today. Do not drive or operate hazardous machinery for 24 hours. You may drive when comfortable and off pain medications. Avoid making important decisions for 24 hours. DRESSING CARE It is not unusual to have swelling or bruising around the breast after surgery. Call your doctor if there is any excessive bleeding or drainage from your incision. For swelling, use ice pack every 2 hours for 15 minutes at a time. You may shower as desired. Leave the plastic outer dressing in place for 3 days. Then you may remove the outer dressing, but leave the strips on underneath. Wear a bra for 48 hours or longer if needed. DIET Begin with liquids and light food. Progress to normal diet if not nauseated. Drink plenty of liquids. The medications may cause constipation. Take Milk of Magnesia or another laxative for constipation, if needed. OTHER Your doctor's office will call with the biopsy results. If you haven't heard in 3 days, call the office. Call your doctor for excessive pain, nausea, fever, or difficulty breathing. If you have had sedation, make sure a responsible person stays with you today and tonight. For moderate pain or fever take 1 - 2 Tylenol (acetaminophen) every 4 - 6 hours. For severe pain, take prescription medication. Call your doctor if temperature is 102 or above. THE SURGEONS | EXPERTISE | CONTACT US | PATIENT INFO | POLICIES | HOW TO FIND US | FORMS | LINKS | HOME COPYRIGHT© 2006 RALEIGH SURGICAL GROUP, RALEIGH, NC