Surgery Day and Aftercare (Part 5 of 5)

Hi friend. Today we will talk about the day of surgery and the weeks that follow. Every body and every surgical plan is unique, so I will not prescribe a script for you to follow. Instead, I will give you a thoughtful map of what tends to matter most, why it matters, and how to think about your choices. Your surgeon’s instructions are the anchor. Everything here is meant to help you understand the landscape and feel steady inside it.

The spirit of the day

Surgery day is a doorway. For many women it is both tender and hopeful. Some feel immediate relief, others notice a gradual softening of symptoms over the first weeks. It is normal to have mixed emotions. You can hold relief, fear, gratitude, and questions at the same time. None of this means you chose wrong. It means you are human and you care about your health.

What actually varies in the operating room

Explant procedures are not one size fits all. Your surgeon will make choices based on your anatomy, the implants, the capsule, and safety in the moment. Some women have an en bloc removal when it is safe and appropriate, and this is considered the ideal. Others have a total capsulectomy with the capsule removed in sections. Sometimes the capsule is thin and releases easily. Sometimes it adheres closely to the ribs or chest wall and requires patience and judgment. These differences are expected in real life, and skill lies in adapting to what the body presents.

Drains and swelling without drama

Some surgeons place drains, others do not. Drains are small tubes that allow fluid to leave the space that once held the implant. If you have them, they are a short term tool, not a failure. Swelling is part of healing and often peaks in the first several days. Gentle circulation, calm breathing, and time help. You will learn what is normal for you, and your surgeon will define the thresholds that require a call. You do not have to memorize rules. You only need a clear plan for questions and a number you can call.

Pain and the strange language of nerves

Many patients describe pressure or tightness more than sharp pain. As swelling shifts and nerves wake, you may notice flashes of tingling or zinging. This can be unsettling and it is often a sign that sensation is returning. If pain changes character or intensity in a way that worries you, reach out to your team. Pain management plans are individual. Relief and safety both matter and you do not earn extra credit by suffering.

Rest, breathe, and gentle movement

The nervous system loves predictable rhythms. Unhurried walks through your home, quiet rest, and slow deep breaths through your nose can lower the noise inside the body. When your exhale is longer than your inhale, it’s a signal to your nervous system that you’re in the healing state. Your surgeon will tell you when to avoid certain movements and when to add more range. Trust that early restraint protects later strength.

Where Manual Lymph Drainage fits

I am Vodder trained and I think about lymph every day. MLD is a feather light, methodical technique that supports lymph flow and can reduce the sensation of heaviness, puffiness, and tenderness. Before surgery, some women use MLD to help their body feel calm and prepared. After surgery, MLD becomes appropriate when your surgeon clears it. In those early sessions we respect the incisions and work around sensitive areas. Many women tell me they sleep better after a gentle session. MLD is not a cure and it is not a replacement for medical care. It is a supportive layer that helps your body do what it already knows how to do.

Caring for incisions and the long arc of scars

Incisions are small boundaries that are quite frankly avoided for many weeks after the surgery. It’s important to work on the surrounding area to decongest the lymph and keep the fluid moving. In the beginning, less is more. Your surgeon will instruct you on wound care. Later, when the skin is closed and you are cleared, your surgeon may recomend a silicone sheet, tape or gel, which can help flatten and soften the tissue. Scar tissue remodels for many months.

Recuperation and Relaxation 

Before surgery, please think “recuperation and relaxation” rather than “staycation” or “vacation,” and set yourself up for the calmest, simplest recovery you can create. If you are having surgery near home, choose a quiet space, line up a trusted helper, arrange short car rides to follow ups, and keep your world small so you can rest, hydrate, nourish, and protect your incisions from sun exposure. 

If you are considering surgery away from home, plan as if you will not feel up to moving much, because pressurized airplane cabins can increase swelling, long travel days raise the risk of clots and setbacks, and adding miles between you and your surgeon right after an operation can complicate care if something needs attention. 

The safest path is to stay within driving distance of your surgeon until you are cleared, which usually means booking a quiet hotel or rental with an elevator or ground floor access, a real bed or a supportive recliner, blackout curtains, simple food delivery options, and a bathroom that is easy to navigate at night. Arrange a caregiver who can lift luggage, manage transportation, and help with basic tasks so you do not strain or reach. 

If your surgeon requires drains, confirm that you can return for removal and that you understand how to log outputs. Avoid alcohol because it disrupts sleep and healing (and the obvious conflict between pain meds and alcohol). Keep your skin covered since fresh scars dislike sun. If you must fly after you are medically cleared, choose the shortest itinerary possible, wear loose clothing, walk the aisle and move your ankles often, drink water before and during the flight, and avoid lifting bags into overhead bins. 

Keep your surgeon’s contact information, your medication list, and your postoperative instructions with you at all times so you can get help quickly if you need it. Recovery is not the time for sightseeing or errands. It is the time to create simple conditions that let your body do the steady work of healing while you remain close to the team who knows your case.

Energy, nourishment, and the steady return to daily life

Healing uses energy. Many women notice that simple tasks feel heavy in the first days, then gradually feel possible again. Protein rich meals, steady hydration, and a gentle routine often serve you well. Bowel habits can slow after anesthesia and pain meds. Your surgeon may suggest simple supports. Small, reliable habits tend to outperform heroic efforts.

When to expand activity

Most people reopen their lives in layers. Desk work returns before heavy lifting. Walking returns before running. Your tissues are slowly remodeling and the timeline belongs to your body with support from your surgeon. If you notice swelling that increases after an activity, or a sensation that feels wrong rather than new, bring that information back to your team. Curiosity serves better than judgment here.

Aesthetic choices in plain language

You have options after explant and you deserve clear words about them.  Carefully consider if a lift is absolutely necessary for your body.  Some surgeons will do a lift at the time of explant, and some will want you to wait a year or longer until all stages of healing are complete before the decision to have a lift is made. For some women it restores a sense of proportion after volume is removed. For others it is not necessary.  

Fat transfer to the breast uses your own tissue: purified fat is gently taken from areas you’d like slimmer and micro-injected to add soft, natural shape. Pros: natural look/feel, tiny entry points, two-for-one body contouring, surviving fat is living tissue and can last. 

Cons: Up to 30% of moved fat can be resorbed by the body.  Modest size gains means that some women may wish a second surgery if a larger size is desired. Some women are an ideal candidate for fat transfer, and some are not, so your milage may vary.

The emotional layer is real care

You may feel relief, grief, curiosity, and joy in waves. Many women describe a quiet return to their former self after explant. Others need time to meet a new reflection in the mirror. None of these experiences are wrong. If you need community, choose spaces that are honest and grounded rather than loud and fearful. If you need professional support, ask for it early. Your nervous system is part of your body and deserves care.

How to work well with your team

Good questions create good care. Ask what signs should prompt a call, how your surgeon handles after hours issues, and when they want to see you next. If you are unsure about anything, say so. You are not being difficult. You are being responsible for your body. Write down the answers so you can rest when your mind gets noisy.

A closing word

You are not broken. Your body is doing its best to protect you and to heal. Surgery day is one chapter. Recovery is another. Aesthetics, function, and comfort all matter, and you get to set the order of importance for your life. If your inner voice tells you something is not right, listen to her and contact your team. If you want gentle support for swelling, tenderness, and nervous system calm, MLD can be a kind companion to your medical plan.

If you want a clear next step, revisit Part One to ground yourself in what BII is and why it can be confusing. Revisit Part Two to understand how BII shows up in the body and why symptoms can move. Revisit Part Three to explore practical paths to relief and supportive daily choices. Revisit Part Four to plan your explant, choose your team, and feel confident about your options. I am here to help you feel informed, less overwhelmed, and deeply supported.