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.
There are two recovery areas: the liposuction donor sites and the breasts receiving fat. Swelling and bruising may occur at both; early fullness is not the final retained volume.
Your care plan.
- Use compression only over donor areas as fitted. Do not compress the grafted breasts with a tight garment unless Dr. Papillion specifically directs it.
- Avoid direct pressure, rubbing, or massage over the transferred fat. Follow the individualized sleep and bra plan.
- Care for small donor-site and breast incisions according to the dressing plan. Monitor both regions for increasing redness, pain, or drainage.
- Do not start lymphatic massage or add cold or heat treatments without approval.
Activity & recovery.
- Walk gently and frequently. Avoid strenuous exercise and lifting until both the donor and grafted areas have been assessed.
- Maintain regular meals and hydration. Do not try to influence graft survival through rapid weight gain or loss.
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
- Call immediately if one breast suddenly becomes larger, firmer, or much more painful than the other.
- Report a nipple or skin area that becomes pale, dusky, unusually dark, blistered, or cold. Do not wait for your next visit.
- 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.