Post-operative Care Guide

Diet, posture, vital recovery

• •No spicy or salty food on the day of surgery — long fasting leaves the stomach sensitive.
• •Soft, easily digested meals (porridge, congee, light Korean food) for the first night.Day of surgery evening through the next morning only.
• •Sleep with the upper body elevated on two pillows.Days 1–3 strictly; up to day 5 if comfortable. Brief sitting for meals, washing, and bathroom is fine.
• •No driving, no heavy lifting, no upper-arm load.

Antibiotics, anti-inflammatories, pain control

• •Pack 2 — antibiotic + anti-inflammatory + analgesic + digestive aid.Start the evening of surgery, 3 times daily after meals. Can be taken alongside the remaining hemostatic.
• •Pack 3 (Rukio Tab, inflammation control) — taken once daily at bedtime, starting after the inflammation-marker check.
• •Pack 4 — extra analgesic (4 tablets reserve). Take only when pain increases.
• •Pack 5 (antacid) — take if you experience nausea or vomiting after surgery.
• •Do not skip antibiotic doses; do not double-dose if you miss one.
• •Avoid alcohol and smoking for at least 2 weeks.Alcohol delays healing; smoking impairs scar quality.

Continuous analgesia line check & removal

• •Swelling of 2–3 cm at the injection site,
• •Strong pain at the injection site,
• •Blood travelling roughly 30 cm up the pump line —
• •If any of the above is present, the pump is removed at that point.Minor blood in the line is normal. Without issues, the pump is removed the day after surgery on the standard schedule.

Upper chest & cleavage

• •From the day after surgery, ice the upper chest and cleavage area for about 7 days.

Four red-flag symptoms after surgery

• •Redness — chest skin reddens in a spreading pattern across the surface.
• •Fever — systemic high fever above 38 °C.Localised low-grade warmth around the chest can occur and is not in itself an emergency.
• •Asymmetric swelling — significant left/right swelling difference accompanied by severe pain.
• •Severe pain — pain that intensifies beyond what is tolerable.

Hemovac, dressing, bathing, compression band

• •Drain output is checked daily; removal timing depends on volume and clarity of the drainage.
• •Keep the drain site dry until removal.Sponge baths only — no shower over the chest until cleared by the clinic.
• •Light walking is encouraged from day 2 — reduces clot risk and improves circulation.
• •Wear the prescribed compression band 24 hours a day.It is repositioned (not removed) for bathing.
• •Sutures and incision status are checked at the first follow-up — typically day 7.

Return to office, scar care, gentle movement

• •Office work and most desk-based work resume from week 2.
• •Start scar care: silicone gel twice a day + strict sun protection on the incision area.
• •Gentle upper-body stretching is OK; no chest press, no push-ups, no upper-body resistance work.
• •Continue band-wearing per the clinic schedule.
• •Sleep position may transition from elevated to flat from week 3, if comfortable.

Implant massage, band-down period, long-term monitoring

• •Implant-massage technique is taught at the 1-month visit.Perform as instructed — consistent massage reduces capsular-contracture risk.
• •Band-wearing hours can be reduced as advised.Full release is decided per visit based on healing progress, not on a fixed calendar date.
• •Light cardio (walking, easy cycling) is generally fine; high-impact and chest-targeted exercise are still avoided.
• •Underwire bras can usually resume from month 2 — confirm at follow-up before transitioning.
• •From month 3, gradually return to chest-targeted strength training and a full exercise routine.
• •At 6 months: implant-position check, scar evaluation, and ultrasound when indicated.Annual check-ups thereafter are recommended for both primary and revision patients.
• •If you notice firmness, asymmetry, sudden volume change, or new pain — contact the clinic without waiting for the next scheduled visit.

Phased return to activity + ancillary medication

• •Light exercise — possible from week 2–3.Example: arm stretching, brisk walking.
• •Whole-body exercise — possible from week 5–6.Example: lower-body strength work, yoga. Chest-targeted resistance training is still off-limits.
• •Existing chronic-condition medications can be continued after consultation with the clinic.
• •Herbal medicine, weight-management medication, and circulation supplements are typically OK from week 3–4 onward.