I Want Top Surgery

recovery and scar care

Scar Care

  • Silicone sheets and gels: Using silicone sheets or gels on the scars once the wounds are full closed can promote healing and reduce their raised and red appearance.
  • Massage: Gently massaging your scars after they have healed can break up the scar tissue and flatten their appearance.
    • Can buy tools but your hands are free and work just as well
  • Sun Protection: Use sunscreen, clothing, or silicone sheets to protect your scars from UV rays.
  • Moisturize: Keep your scars and the skin around them moisturized to prevent itching and dryness.

Follow-up Appointments

  • Attend all your follow-up appointments so your surgeon can monitor your healing progress
  • Address any concerns:
    • Residual swelling or fluid build up
    • Unusual bruising
    • Signs of infection
    • Complications
  • Long-term Monitoring: Surgeons might want to see you up to a year after your top surgery
    • Address any lasting concerns
    • Take ‘after’ pictures
    • Discuss any revisions, if necessary

Physical Activity

You will be tempted to do too much too soon. By doing less for longer, your body will have the time it needs to heal properly. Always follow the surgeon’s restrictions and guidelines for re-introducing physical activities.

0 to 2 Months Post-op

General Guidelines

  • Movement Restrictions: avoid raising your arms above shoulder level
  • Rest and Recovery: avoid moderate or heavy lifting (maximum 10 lbs)

Week 1-2

  • Walking: Start by taking light walks (5 to 10 minutes) which promote blood circulation and help prevent blood clots from bedrest.
  • Breathing Exercise: Practice deep breathing for 5 minutes a day to reduce post-op pneumonia risk.

Week 3-4

  • Stretching: Try light stretching exercises without strain on your chest can help maintain flexibility.
  • Lower Body Exercises: Do body weight squats focused on the legs without engaging chest or upper body.

3 to 6 Months Post-op

General Guidelines

  • Increased Activity: Gradually introduce more movement and physical activities.
  • Monitor Healing and Body: Certain activities can still cause discomfort, adjust accordingly.

Week 5-8

  • Regular Walking: Continue your walks and extend speed and duration.
  • Light Cardiovascular Activity: Reintroduce low-impact cardio exercises.
    • Elliptical or stationary biking at low resistance
  • Core Training: Try seated or lying leg lifts done without upper body engagement.

Week 9-12

  • Upper Body Movements: Very light movements without heavy lifting
  • Stretching/Yoga: Flexibility and balanced focused without pressure on your chest
  • Resistance Exercises: Lower body and core resistance training
    • Body weight lunges, squats, single-leg dead lifts, and glute bridges

6+ Months Post-op

General Guidelines

  • Return to Normal Activity Level: Listen to your body and return to most regular physical activities.
    • Slowly increase lifting to moderate (about 25 lbs)
    • Restrict unnecessary overhead lifting until 9+ months
  • Building Strength Back: Increase the intensity of your workouts with a focus on endurance and strength.

Months 6 – 9

  • Full Body Exercises: Resume moderate cardio and strength training.
  • Resistance Exercises: Increase the weight and resistance for upper and lower body, focusing on technique and proper form.
  • Running and Biking: Resume jogging, running, or biking for moderate distances and speed.

Months 9+

  • High-Intensity Workouts: Reintroduce HIIT workouts that can include interval training.
  • Weightlifting: Resume regular weightlifting workouts, increasing weights as tolerated.
  • Mobility and Flexibility: Continue stretching and mobility training to increase flexibility.

Next page: complications and concerns