When the surgery is finished, the anaesthetic will stop and you will gradually wake up over about 5-minutes. At this point you are taken to the recovery area. You are supervised by the anaesthetist and the experienced recovery nurse and then by the recovery nurse alone. The tube that was in your mouth will have been removed and you will feel sleepy. You stay in recovery until fully alert and then you are taken back to your room where you will be made comfortable. The nursing staff will adjust your medication as needed. Your throat may feel slightly sore from the breathing tube but you will be able to sip water straight away.
At this stage there is still a drip in your hand, and this is taken down when you are drinking properly. The venflon (the name for the plastic needle in the back of the hand) is taken out the following morning, but can come out earlier if you are comfortable and not feeling nauseated.
If a surgical excision of gynaecomastia or fatty breast tissue has been performed there may be a drain by your side and this should be kept laid out straight alongside your body so that the tube is not curled up, otherwise it can kink, and stop the suction. This is removed the following day, and is not painful.
Your pectoral area feels tight and there will be a tubigrip (elasticated support) over your chest area. Sometimes a liposuction garment is used instead according to the tightness of fit required. You will go home wearing either one of these without removing either.
The dressings and the tubigrip/garment must be kept dry. This helps reduce the risk of wound infection. You should therefore have shallow baths (run the water just up to cover your legs) and keep the tubigrip/garment on (but dry) even when you are in the bath. Sponge wash the under arm area and pat dry afterwards.
You will be seen by Mr Turton the following morning after surgery and the nursing staff informed as to when the drains can be removed, if they have been placed. You will be given the “take home medication”- painkillers and any antibiotics and should have clear instructions and understanding as to when to take them. Please ensure you discuss this with the nursing staff if not sure and if you have any queries after discharge you will be instructed to ring the ward for immediate attention. Mr Turton should be informed of any problems.