Dr Rebecca Wyten
Thank you for choosing Dr. Rebecca Wyten for your surgical procedure.
Please find this important post-surgery information to help ensure you are well informed and prepared for your recovery. Please read through carefully, and if you have any questions or concerns, don’t hesitate to contact our team.
It is crucial to take proper care of yourself in the early stages of healing to promote a smooth and comfortable recovery. Overexerting yourself too soon can negatively impact your scar healing, increase discomfort, and potentially lead to more frequent follow up visits than expected.
Support Garments
Wearing the appropriate support garment is essential for your recovery. As advised by Dr. Rebecca Wyten, wear your garments both day and night for the first three weeks, particularly during the early stages of healing. It is recommended to wear the garment for a minimum of three months.
Activity Levels
It is important to get up and walk around for a couple of minutes every hour to help prevent blood clots and promote circulation. As you start feeling better, you may naturally increase your activity levels. While this may seem reasonable, it is important to take things slowly and allow your body adequate time to heal.
Showering
Do not shower for the first week after surgery. You may shower only after your first post-operative appointment with the nurse. In the meantime, you can cleanse yourself with wipes, being careful not to get the tape or dressings wet.
Driving Restrictions
You will be unable to drive for 2–4 weeks post-surgery, depending on your procedure. Please check with Dr. Wyten or the nurse to determine when you can safely resume driving.
Post-Operative Appointments
Attending your post-operative appointments with the nurse at St John of God Hospital, Berwick, is vital. These appointments occur every Thursday morning for the first 4-6 weeks following your surgery. The nurse will assess your wound, check your stitches, change dressings, and, if required, use the Heal Light to support the healing process.
As you return to work, child care, household responsibilities, and other daily activities, be mindful of the areas of your body that are healing. Take extra care to avoid unnecessary strain on the affected areas.
Managing Discomfort
Mild discomfort or muscle pain is normal in the weeks following surgery. Taking regular paracetamol such as Panadol may help with discomfort and inflammation. Your body may take time to adjust when resuming daily activities, so be patient with yourself.
Take It Easy!
Your body needs time to heal properly. Listen to your body, follow the guidelines, and allow yourself the rest you need. However, regular movement and walks is encouraged to prevent clots and swelling.
Dr. Wyten’s reception team will have scheduled a post-surgery appointment with Dr. Wyten’s nurse at St John of God Hospital, Berwick. This will take place one week after surgery, followed by three additional weekly appointments on Thursdays as required.
During these visits, the nurse will:
Change your tape/dressing
Check your wound
Assess your stitches
For the first seven days post-surgery, do not shower or bathe. Your tape and dressings must remain dry and sterile.
After the second week, if advised that it is safe to do so, you may:
Gently remove the tape before showering.
Wash the incision area with mild soap or a gentle body wash.
Pat the area dry with a clean towel.
Apply fresh medical tape over your healing scar.
Only use a dermatologically approved moisturiser on surrounding skin and silicon ointment or tape on scar if advised.
Scar management with silicon ointment or tape is recommended for the first year.
Tape and/or silicone ointment assists healing and scar maturation, leading to better scar formation.
If you have adhesive allergies, we may recommend an alternative dressing.
It can take 2–3 weeks for scars to seal
3 months for scar deposition
Scars typically reach full maturity at 2 years
Dr. Wyten may recommend scar massage or silicone ointment for 1-2 years post-surgery to improve healing.
Do not panic. Contact Dr. Wyten’s rooms and send a photo for assessment.
If your surgery was more than two weeks ago, you can:
Remove the tape to air out the incision area.
Wash the wound with saline solution.
Use sterile gauze or sanitary napkin to absorb the fluid
If symptoms persist, contact our rooms on 9018-4087.
Dr. Wyten recommends the following supplements for recovery:
Arnicaeze Tablets – Two tablets, twice a day
Arginine Sachets – One sachet per day for 3 days
Probiotics – One capsule daily
Initial surgery patients will receive sample packets after surgery.
Revision patients can purchase these products from Chemist Warehouse or their local pharmacy.
Do not smoke or vape 6 weeks prior to surgery
Do not smoke or vape for at least 6 weeks post-surgery or until healing is well underway.
Smoking can compromise your healing process and increase the risk of complications.
Dr Wyten will cancel your procedure if smoking has occurred prior to surgery
Please call our rooms immediately if you experience any of the following:
Fever – Body temperature above 38°C
Cold sweats
Increased redness around the wound
Thick, yellow pus (viscous discharge) from the incision
Significant swelling that has worsened since your last appointment
Visible stitches
Rash
If possible, take a photo of the affected area and email it to: [email protected] or call 9018-4087 or Dr Wyten’s Mobile number.
Breast Augmentation, Mastopexy (Lift), and Reduction
Wear your comfort bra day and night for the first three months after surgery.
After three months, you may wear a different bra for a few hours for a special occasion.
Stay wire-free for 6-12 months after surgery.
Fat Grafting
Following your fat grafting procedure to the breasts, avoid wearing a crop top, bra or any type of support garment for 14 days to allow optimal healing.
Avoid ice/cold, heat, and any pressure to the breasts.
Weeks 3-8: Wear the supplied comfort bra during the day only. Do not wear a bra or crop top at night while sleeping. Ensure the comfort bra is comfortable and not firm or tight.
Months 2-3: You may start wearing your own soft/comfort bras during the day. Avoid underwire bras, you may wear one for a short period on a special occasion for a few hours (then return to a comfort bra).
After 3 months: You can wear your usual bras as long as they are wire free.
After 6 months: If you wish, you can start wearing under wire bras more regularly.
Abdominoplasty
Wear your post-operative garment day and night for the first three months.
For the following three months, you can wear it only during the day if you are hot or uncomfortable.
Some patients choose to continue wearing the garment at night for added support and to help reduce swelling.
If possible, wearing the garment for 1 year will provide optimal results.
Initial surgery patients will receive a post-surgery garment.
Revision surgery patients can use their previous garment or speak to the Bellatrix Reception staff for assistance with ordering and pricing.
Breast Surgery and Abdominoplasty Patients
If you begin to find it difficult to wear clothing over your nipples, breasts, or abdomen, this may be a sign that your nerves are starting to send messages to your brain that your body is healing.
You may experience a tingling sensation that is normal and difficult to treat with medication.
This sensation is often due to nerves being overstretched or overloaded during surgery.
Managing Hypersensitivity
The best way to manage hypersensitivity is to gently massage the affected areas (breast skin, nipples, or abdomen) with your hand.
This helps stimulate nerve sensation and can aid in restoring comfort.
While it may be difficult during the first few days, persevering with the massage or touch will often lead to relief within a short period of time.
Be sure to wear your garment while exercising during your recovery period.
For the first six weeks, keep strenuous activity to a minimum.
Week 1
Light walks inside the home every hour.
Walk everyday for 10-15 minutes.
Abdominoplasty patients, elevate your legs when resting though keep getting up for regular light walks around the house every hour.
Week 2
Light walks inside the home every hour
Walk everyday for 15-20 minutes.
Abdominoplasty patients, wait until the end of week 2 before going out for a walk, keep it gentle and no steep gradients.
Week 3
Keep moving every hour
The week you return to work, walk every second day for 30 minutes.
Weeks 4–8
Keep moving every hour.
Walk every day for 20-30 minutes.
After three months you may gradually introduce core exercises.
Remember:
Be sure to wear your garments both during the day and night as you recover, even while exercising.
Shoulder Rolls
Position: Stand or sit with your shoulders relaxed.
If standing, place your hands at your sides. If sitting, place your hands on your hips and thighs.
Action: Take a deep breath in. As you exhale, roll your shoulders upwards, in a circular motion, towards your back, then around to your front. Once you’ve completed one full circle, relax your shoulders.
Repeat in the opposite direction.
Repeat this exercise five times in each direction.
Extended Arm Circles
Position: Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart, arms extended straight out to the sides at shoulder height.
Action: Keep your shoulders down. Gently move your arms in small backward circles. After 20 repetitions, change direction and do small forward circles. Repeat for 20 circles in each direction.
Overhead Arm Stretches
Position: Raise your right arm over your head and let your hand rest above your left ear.
Action: With your left hand, gently grasp your right elbow above your head. Gently pull your right elbow to the left, stretching it over your head. Hold the stretch, then swap arms.
Remember: Take it easy and don’t overdo it!
At the 8-week mark of your recovery, you can begin to increase the intensity of your exercise. However, it’s essential to ease into it and listen to your body. Don’t overdo it!
Remember to gradually build your exercise routine back up, and inform your trainer about your surgery so they can adjust your routine accordingly to avoid any injuries.
If you feel sore, rest for three days to allow your muscles time to recover.
Abdominoplasty
Avoid heavy abdominal and core work for the first 12 weeks post-surgery.
Be sure to wear your abdominal garment day and night for at least the first 12 weeks.
Breast Surgery
Make sure you wear a highly supportive sports bra to help keep your breasts firm and supported during physical activity.
Weeks 8–9
You can start incorporating the following activities:
Running: Every second day at half pace or half your usual distance
Squats, lunges, and calf raises.
Spin classes
Pilates
Swimming at half your usual pace or distance
Weeks 10–12
You can add more intensity:
Cross trainer
Skipping
Body Pump
Body Attack
Weeks 13 Onwards
Sit-ups
Core strengthening exercises
Push-ups: Push-ups may feel strange at first, so start with low, shallow repetitions. To reduce strain, try leaning on a bench to keep a more vertical position. Gradually work towards a deeper push-up.
Always take it easy and do not overdo it during your recovery process.
If you have any concerns or questions during your healing process, be sure to inform our Reception, Nursing staff, or Dr. Wyten for further guidance and support.
Bellatrix Plastic Surgery
Phone: 9018-4087
Email: [email protected]
