Breast reconstruction: when to get help

1. 1

   Is any of this happening now?

   Call 911

   Seek emergency care for difficulty breathing, chest pain, fainting, confusion, coughing up blood, or sudden painful swelling in one leg.

   Other emergency signs, for anyone

   • Someone who is struggling to breathe, gasping, choking, or cannot get words out
   • Someone who has chest pain, tightness or pressure lasting more than a few minutes
   • Someone who has sudden weakness or drooping on one side of the face or body, slurred speech, or sudden confusion
   • Someone who is unconscious, or cannot be woken
   • Someone who is bleeding heavily and it will not stop with firm pressure
   • Someone who has had a seizure that will not stop, or does not wake up afterwards
   • Someone who has lips or skin that look pale, blue, grey or blotchy
   • Someone who you believe has taken an overdose or swallowed something poisonous
   Yes, one of theseNo, none of these
2. 2

   Is any of this happening?

   Be seen today

   Contact your surgical team promptly for increasing redness, warmth, drainage, worsening pain, fever, wound opening, or new or increasing swelling.

   Also call if a drain stops working unexpectedly or suddenly fills with blood.

   After flap reconstruction, seek urgent advice if the flap changes colour, becomes unusually cool, or rapidly swells.

   Blood-flow problems are time-sensitive.

   Yes, one of theseNo, none of these
3. 3

   Does any of this apply?

   Book an appointment

   Questions about stable scars, numbness, shape, implant checks, or returning to activities can usually wait for a scheduled appointment unless something changes suddenly.

   Yes, one of theseNo, none of these

Every sign above is quoted from the sofidex article on Breast reconstruction. If you are not sure, err upward — it is always reasonable to be checked.