Recovery from Breast Reduction Surgery
As with any cosmetic surgery, breast reduction recovery takes time. You will most likely be drowsy and sore for a day or two so it is a good idea to have a friend or relative drive you home and help you for a couple of days until you feel a bit better. Although you should be up and around after about 48 hours, there may be some side effects which can last for a couple weeks to a month so you should follow your surgeon’s instructions closely during this healing period.
Breast Reduction Recovery
You can be quite swollen and bruised after breast reduction surgery and your breasts may also be quite sensitive and tender for a few weeks. You will be sent home with bandages and surgical bra, which will be removed after a couple of days. You may also have a drain (to drain excess fluid) as drainage of fluid and crusting is a normal side effect.
You will wear the surgical bra for the first few days after surgery. This bra is then replaced with a support bandage or sports bra, which is to be worn at all times for at least four weeks after surgery.
Discomfort, swelling, and bruising usually lasts from two to three weeks so you may be prescribed pain medication during your first week of recovery.
Your breasts may swell and become tender during your first period after surgery. You may also experience sporadic pains for a few months. Any contact with the breasts should be gentle for four to six weeks following breast reduction surgery. Altered sensations of the breast skin and nipple are common symptoms following surgery so it is advisable to refrain from sexual activity for a couple of weeks, as sexual arousal can cause inflammation around the incisions.
You should avoid bending over, exercising or performing any strenuous activities that put unnecessary pressure on the chest for at least four weeks, as this can slow the healing process and lead to excess swelling and bleeding. You should also avoid sleeping on your stomach for the first two weeks, and are advised to sponge bathe until the sutures are removed one to two weeks after your surgery.
Most women are able to return to work and normal activities two weeks after having a breast reduction, but for some people it may be longer. Don’t attempt to rush your recovery however as it may have the reverse effect and prolong things. If you need to take more time off work, do it.
It can take six months to a year to fully recover from your surgery and the final results can be seen. To ensure that your breasts are healing properly you should attend follow-up appointments for several months after surgery.
Numbness of the breast and nipple may be experienced by for up to a year following breast reduction surgery, while others may experience increased sensitivity. In some cases this numbness can be permanent.
Your scars will be very noticeable for the first few months, often appearing red and lumpy. The scars will continue to fade into thin white lines over the next several months, but will never go away completely. Several treatment options are available to reduce the appearance of scars, including cortisone creams and silicone sheeting. Because of the benefits of breast reduction surgery, many women feel that scars are a fair trade-off. However, in some cases, abnormal scars can form, causing undesirable results.
The surgical technique used during your breast reduction surgery procedure will also influence the appearance of your scars. Your plastic surgeon can help you understand the typical scarring associated with the standard (anchor) breast reduction surgery, vertical incision breast reduction and scar-less breast reduction and determine which is appropriate for you.
To make sure your scars heal as well as possible, make sure you stick religiously to the recovery instructions given to you by your surgeon. If you have any concerns during your recovery discuss them with your surgeon.
Contact your breast reduction surgeon immediately if you notice any signs of infection or if you experience bleeding or a sudden increase in pain.
Talk to one of our qualified breast reduction surgeons from around the U.K who can talk to more about the breast reduction recovery process.
