Areola Reconstruction

​​​​​​​​​​​Back at Home

 

Go to the hospital nearest emergency room if:​

• Your temperature goes higher than 38​℃ (100​​℉) and lasts longer than 24 hours.
• You feel chills.
• Bright red, hot and swollen incisions or skin.
• White fluid or pus that smells bad.

• You can shower 24 hours after the procedure. Your dressing is waterproof, but try not to get the dressing wet.
• Gently pat it dry. Do not rub it.
• Some oozing where you had the tattoo is normal. It will dry up on its own.
• If the dressing starts to peel off, do not remove or change it. Secure it with tape. Apply gauze if it’s oozing.
How to change my dressing​​​​​
• After the procedure, a nurse puts a dressing over the wound. You need to keep this dressing on for 7 days.
• If the dressing smells bad, gets dirty or bloody, you may change it. Many people need to change their dressing halfway through the week.
• You will be given dressing supplies when you go home. You can also buy dressing supplies at your local pharmacy or health supply store.
• After 7 days, you can remove the dressing yourself.​
• Let the scab fall off on its own. When it dries, do not peel it.
Who do I call if I experience complications?​​​​​

Go to your nearest emergency department if you see these signs of infection:

• Your temperature goes higher than 38​℃ (100​​℉) and lasts longer than 24 hours.
• If you feel chills.
• Bright red, hot and swollen incisions or skin.
• White fluid or pus that smells bad.
Who do I call with general post-operative questions?

The Nurse Coordinator is your first place to call for post-operative questions:

​Agnes Wisniewski, RN, BScN, MN
Phone:​ 416 340 4800 ext. 5161

You can also call your surgeon’s office​ for more information.

If you have concerns regarding your breast reconstruction, please call your surgeon’s office or go to the emergency department at the hospital where you had your operation.​