• Reference Number: HEY051/2026
• Departments: Plastic Surgery
• Last Updated: 30 April 2026

Introduction

This leaflet has been produced to give you general advice following your discharge. Most of your questions should be answered by this leaflet. It is not intended to replace the discussion between you and the healthcare team, but may act as a starting point for discussion. If after reading it you have any concerns or require further explanation, please discuss this with a member of the healthcare team.

Rest

When you go home it is important that you take plenty of rest.  You should avoid strenuous activities, exercise, or heavy lifting for at least 4 weeks.  You should not drive until you feel safe to do so and can control your car without discomfort.

Dressings

You should keep your dressings clean, dry and intact.  You will be measured and fitted with a supportive garment which you should wear as much as possible.  You should avoid any scented products such as aftershave or body sprays near your wounds.

Follow up

Your wound will usually be closed with dissolving sutures which do not need removal.  You may be given an outpatient appointment to have your wound dressed and checked at 7 to 10 days or you may be advised to attend your doctor’s practice nurse for this.  If you have any bleeding (other than mild oozing), discharge, swelling or redness of your wounds you should contact us for advice.

Pain relief

It is advisable to have a supply of mild pain relief medication at home, which should be used as directed on the packet if you have pain.

Recovery

Following your surgery your chest will still be quite swollen and you will see the final result of your operation in about 3 to 6 months’ time.

We advise that you take approximately 3 to 4 weeks away from your work to recover following the operation, however if your job involves a lot of heavy lifting or is very physical you may need longer. You can submit a self-certification certificate for the first week, after this you will need a fit note from your own doctor or the doctor in the clinic.

You may resume sexual relationships once your scars are fully healed.  There is no reason you cannot begin swimming or taking other exercise once your scars are fully healed.

Sun Care

You should protect your scars from the sun for the first 12 months, as they will burn more easily and can darken from direct sunlight exposure.

If you experience any problems with your wounds or should you require further advice on the issues contained in this leaflet, please do not hesitate to contact the Plastic Surgery team tel: 01482 623259 (Monday to Friday) or tel: 01482 674509 (Saturday and Sunday)

General Advice and Consent

Most of your questions should have been answered by this leaflet, but remember that this is only a starting point for discussion with the healthcare team.

Consent to treatment

Before any doctor, nurse or therapist examines or treats you, they must seek your consent or permission. In order to make a decision, you need to have information from health professionals about the treatment or investigation which is being offered to you. You should always ask them more questions if you do not understand or if you want more information.

The information you receive should be about your condition, the alternatives available to you, and whether it carries risks as well as the benefits. What is important is that your consent is genuine or valid. That means:

• you must be able to give your consent
• you must be given enough information to enable you to make a decision
• you must be acting under your own free will and not under the strong influence of another person

Information about you

We collect and use your information to provide you with care and treatment. As part of your care, information about you will be shared between members of a healthcare team, some of whom you may not meet. Your information may also be used to help train staff, to check the quality of our care, to manage and plan the health service, and to help with research. Wherever possible we use anonymous data.

We may pass on relevant information to other health organisations that provide you with care. All information is treated as strictly confidential and is not given to anyone who does not need it. If you have any concerns please ask your doctor, or the person caring for you.

Under the General Data Protection Regulation and the Data Protection Act 2018 we are responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of any information we hold about you. For further information visit the following page: Confidential Information about You.

If you or your carer needs information about your health and wellbeing and about your care and treatment in a different format, such as large print, braille or audio, due to disability, impairment or sensory loss, please advise a member of staff and this can be arranged.