Your written discharge plan comes first. These instructions must be tailored to your treatment and medical history. For combined procedures, ask the team for one coordinated plan; do not choose between conflicting instructions yourself.
What to expect.
Arm tightness, bruising, soreness, and mild swelling into the hands can occur. Increasing or severe hand symptoms need review.
Your care plan.
- Use the supplied sleeves or wraps without folds or constricting bands. Support your arms comfortably as demonstrated.
- Leave incision tape intact. Follow the discharge bathing instructions and keep the underarm area clean and protected from rubbing.
- If you have drains, secure the tubing and record output. Do not apply heat to the area.
Activity & recovery.
- Gentle hand and arm use for eating and light self-care is usually appropriate if comfortable. Avoid extreme reaching, overhead stretching, heavy lifting, and repetitive pulling until cleared.
- Continue brief walks during the day.
Follow your team’s specific instructions for medicines, wound care, and safe movement. Do not drive while taking sedating medicines or until you can safely operate a vehicle and your surgeon clears you.
When to call.
Chest pain, trouble breathing, collapse, stroke symptoms, or sudden loss of vision need immediate emergency care. Do not wait for an office reply or use an online form.
Contact your care team promptly
- A cold, pale, blue, increasingly numb, or very painful hand needs urgent evaluation.
- Call for rapidly increasing arm swelling, a new wound opening, or heavy drainage.
- Report fever of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher, spreading redness, pus, worsening pain, persistent vomiting, or inability to keep fluids down. Call sooner if you feel seriously unwell, even without a fever.
- New one-sided calf pain or swelling needs urgent medical assessment. If you also have chest pain or shortness of breath, call 911.
Call 615.730.7500. After hours, follow the urgent-contact directions on your discharge paperwork. If you cannot reach the team and symptoms are urgent, seek immediate medical care.
Stay connected.
Keep your scheduled follow-up and ask the team when to send an update or return sooner. Confirm any dressing, stitch, or drain removal with the office. Return to exercise, work, travel, and skin-care products should follow your individual clearance plan.
Before leaving your appointment, make sure you know your next visit date, medication plan, and after-hours contact instructions.
Sources & References
External references open in a new tab. Your care guide will stay open here.
These references provide general information. Follow your care team’s procedure-specific instructions and personal discharge plan.