Out of Town Patients

Travel

Our Arcadia location is conveniently located 22 miles away from Burbank Bob Hope airport and 33 miles away from LAX. Our Pasadena location is 15 miles away from Burbank Bob Hope airport and 26 miles away from LAX. These are all approximately 30-45 minute drives to either locations.

Hotels

Pasadena

Arcadia

Food

Pasadena

Arcadia

Video Resources

Drain Care Video Resources

In certain surgical procedures, Dr. Wai‑Yee Li may recommend the use of surgical drains to support safe healing and reduce the risk of fluid buildup. To help you feel confident and prepared, Dr. Li and her team have created a series of educational videos demonstrating how drains work and how to care for them at home.

These videos are intended as a helpful supplement to the comprehensive, personalized teaching you will receive in the office prior to your surgery. Our team will review drain care step-by-step with you to ensure you feel comfortable and supported throughout your recovery.

Post-Operative Care

What new surgical wounds look like

Healthy new surgical wounds are characterized by: 

• mild swelling and firmness
• mild redness along wound edge not more than ½ inch wide
• slight oozing of fluid and/or blood from the wound, easily controlled with small gauze or Band-Aid 
• crusting of wound edges
• bruising, which may increase over several days, but not associated with increased swelling 
• numbness or decreased sensation on and surrounding surgical site 
• low grade fever of 99-100 °F (this is usually due to insufficient deep breathing and coughing) . 

How to take care of a new wound after surgery 

• Change outside gauze dressings whenever soiled, replace dressings and ointment daily with showering at incisions and drain sites 
• Follow drain care instructions carefully, if you have drains in place. 
• Wear the surgical bra provided for you as much as possible (day and night) If the surgical bra is too restrictive or too tight, use a bra of your choice with good support without underwires. A front closing sports bra works well. The pressure from the bra will support the breast area, minimize swelling, and limit the chances of bleeding around the implant. 

Call our office (626 888 9728) immediately for any of the following: 

• temperature 101 °F (38.5 °C) or more 
• presence of shaking chills 
• presence of increasing swelling, tightness, or if dressing becomes restrictive 
• continuous oozing of fluid from surgical site which is not controlled by a simple       dressing
• persistent vomiting or diarrhea
• you are worried that there may be a problem 

Pain and medication 

• Take prescribed pain medications only as needed. Follow the instructions given to you by your doctor or pharmacist. Your postoperative pain should lessen each day although occasional worsening can be expected as you increase your activity. Call Traci Young, NP or Dr Li immediately if your pain seems to be worsening to the point that you need increasing amounts of pain medication. This may be the first sign of an infection.
• If you are taking antibiotics, be sure to take the medication as directed by your Dr Li and complete the entire course of treatment. This medication has been prescribed to limit the chances of infection. 
• If you are taking pain medications containing narcotics (Norco, hydrocodone, oxycodone, dilaudid, morphine, tramadol), do not drive. This is state law!

Bathing 

• You may shower daily, 48 hours from surgery, unless you have been instructed otherwise. Showers are helpful in keeping wounds clean. If you are taking pain medication, have someone help you in the shower. Follow drain care instructions carefully.
• Gently wash incision (s) with mild soap and water, pad dry 

Activity 

Let pain be your guide: if it hurts, don’t do it. 

• Avoid heavy pushing or pulling for 6 weeks after surgery 
• Avoid lifting items over 5 pounds for six weeks
• Limit movement of affected arm to 90 degrees forward and sideways
• Get adequate rest and sleep
• Eat a balanced diet to promote wound healing
• Avoid strenuous activity involving the surgical side(s) for 6 weeks. Excessive activity may prolong the normal period of time the wound(s) will drain
• Do not drive until you have been cleared by your surgical team

Post-Operative Garment Instructions

Following your surgery, wearing the appropriate post-operative garments is an important part of your recovery. These garments help reduce swelling, protect surgical sites, support healing, and improve overall comfort.

Your specific garment instructions will depend on the type of procedure you had. Always follow the guidance provided by Dr. Wai‑Yee Li and our clinical team.

Immediately After Surgery

When you wake up from surgery, you will already be placed in the appropriate post-surgical garment by our team.

• Do not remove or change this garment unless instructed
• Some swelling, tightness, or pressure is normal in the early post-operative period
• Keep garments clean and dry
• Breast Surgery (Breast Augmentation & Breast Reconstruction)
• After breast surgery, you will wear a post-surgical bra as directed by Dr. Li
• Transition to your own front-closing sports bra once cleared by Dr. Li
• Wear the bra continuously (day and night) unless instructed otherwise
• Avoid underwire bras until you are specifically told they are safe to resume
• The bra should feel supportive but not overly tight or painful
• Several of our patients have highly recommended this bra: https://a.co/d/5olkTd7 

Aesthetic Flat Closure

Patients who have undergone aesthetic flat closure will typically wear a breast binder after surgery.

• The binder provides gentle compression to reduce swelling and support healing
• Dr. Li will advise how long to wear the binder and when it may be adjusted or discontinued
• Notify our office if the binder feels excessively tight, painful, or causes skin irritation

Surgical Drains & Drain Garments

If you have surgical drains, proper drain management is essential to prevent complications.

• Always secure drains using a drain management garment or apron.
• Avoid letting drains hang freely or pull on the skin.
• Empty and record drain output as instructed.
• Contact our office if a drain becomes dislodged, stops draining suddenly, or shows signs of infection.

Dr. Li has created a patient education video reviewing drain garments and safe drain care:

In 2020, Dr. Li designed her own Seecret® Drain Apron, which comfortably holds up to six surgical drains. It has been used by hundreds of patients over the years, including during her time at City of Hope, and is highly recommended in her practice. 

Patients can purchase the Seecret® Drain Apron through her garment company, Surgical SEECRETS: https://surgicalseecrets.com/products/seecret-apron 

How Long Will I Need to Wear My Garments?

The length of time you will need to wear post-operative garments varies depending on your procedure and your individual healing.

• Some garments, like post surgery bras, breast and abdominal binders are worn for several weeks.
• Others may be discontinued earlier or transitioned to lighter support.
• Dr. Li and Traci will guide you at each follow-up visit.

When to Contact Our Office

Please contact our office if you experience:

• Increasing pain or pressure related to your garment
• Skin irritation, blistering, or wounds under the garment
• Sudden swelling, redness, or drainage
• Accidental drain removal or concerns about drain function

Final Notes

Proper use of post-operative garments plays a key role in a smooth recovery and optimal surgical outcomes. If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to our team—your safety and comfort are our priority.

Any non urgent symptoms, questions, problems please text or call 626 888 9728. Medical emergencies such as difficulty breathing, chest pains, bleeding, fever over 101.5 or any symptoms needing immediate attention, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.

Consultation

In-Person Consultation

Your consultation with Dr. Wai‑Yee Li is designed to be thorough, educational, and collaborative. During your visit, Dr. Li will review your goals, medical history, and prior surgical history. She will perform a detailed examination, which may include measurements and clinical photographs to assist with surgical planning. Dr. Li will then discuss her recommendations and the options available to you so that you can make an informed decision about your care. During the consultation, Dr. Li will typically review before-and-after photographs of patients with similar concerns to help illustrate potential outcomes. It can also be helpful for patients to bring photos of their desired or ideal result to guide the discussion.

The consultation is very much a team effort, and Dr. Li encourages patients to bring a trusted friend or family member for support and to help take notes. If a loved one cannot attend in person, you are welcome to include them via FaceTime during the discussion. Consultations typically last 60–90 minutes, allowing ample time for a thoughtful discussion and for all of your questions to be answered. At the end of the consultation, Dr. Li is happy to provide a PDF copy of your consultation note, as she understands that these visits can sometimes feel overwhelming and patients often appreciate having a written summary to review afterward.

Virtual Consultation for Out-of-Town Patients

For patients traveling from out of town, virtual consultations are available. The format is similar to an in-person visit, with a detailed discussion of your goals, medical history, and prior surgical history, followed by Dr. Li’s recommendations and a review of your treatment options. For breast surgery patients (both cosmetic and reconstructive), you may be asked to provide standardized photographs and simple measurements in advance so Dr. Li can best evaluate your case. Dr. Li will often review before-and-after photographs of patients with similar concerns during the consultation, and patients are also welcome to share photos of their desired results to help guide the discussion.

Virtual consultations typically last 60–90 minutes, ensuring ample time to discuss your concerns and ask questions. At the conclusion of the visit, Dr. Li is happy to provide a PDF copy of your consultation note so that you can review the discussion and recommendations at your convenience.

Implant Evaluation for Possible Silicone Implant Rupture

For patients with silicone breast implants who are concerned about possible rupture, Dr. Li offers a complimentary ultrasound evaluation of the breast implants during the consultation when appropriate. Dr. Li has extensive experience diagnosing and treating implant-related concerns and can often provide an immediate assessment during your visit. She will review your symptoms, medical history, and imaging findings, and discuss your options if further evaluation or treatment is recommended.