It’s been one month since I had my breast reduction surgery, and I’m feeling great!

I’ve been so excited to share this with you all, because I know that I’m not alone in feeling like there’s an unspoken stigma around having a breast reduction. There are a lot of reasons why people have them, and they’re all valid.

I’ve always been a curvy girl, but as I got older, it started to feel like my body was out of balance. My breasts were just too big for my frame, and they made me feel awkward and uncomfortable in clothes. It wasn’t just the actual discomfort of having big boobs—it was also the way that people reacted to them when they saw me in public; it was the way men responded to them in clubs and bars; it was walking into a room and feeling like every single person was staring at me because of what was between my legs. And that made me feel like less of a woman, which is something no one should ever have to feel.

But now? Now I feel amazing! My clothes fit better than ever before, and even though my breasts are smaller than they were before surgery (which is totally normal), they fit on my chest just right—they

1 month after breast reduction

Breast Reduction Recovery What To Expect After Surgery

Are you just considering breast reduction? Or maybe you’re already set to undergo surgery? You need to be aware of the breast reduction recovery period.

The decision to undergo breast reduction surgery should not be taken lightly. Over 40,000 women choose to get a breast reduction surgery every year. They make the decision for a variety of reasons, including, but not exclusively, health problems.

The procedure reduces the size of your breasts. This has many benefits which could include reducing back and shoulder pain, and overall leading to a better quality of life for you. You may also find that you consequently feel happier with your appearance.

However, as always when making important life decisions, it’s important to have all of the relevant information available in front of you.

Know What to Expect

Breast reduction is a safe and standard procedure. And yet, as with other surgeries, it also requires a recovery time. Most women are eager for a speedy recovery so that they can return to work and everyday life.

And by knowing what to expect after the procedure, you can suitably prepare yourself for the recovery. Let’s go through the recovery time, the scars and bruises post-op, and finally, what you can do to speed up the recovery.

Breast Reduction Recovery Time

Breast reduction recovery takes time, but it’s important to have a good understanding of what to expect post-surgery. The surgery lasts for approximately anywhere between three to five hours. Most patients return home the same day as the surgery.

Let’s have a look at what to expect in the days, weeks and months after your breast reduction surgery.

The Days After Surgery

In the few days following your surgery, it’s normal to experience some pain and discomfort. Your breasts and areas around your breasts may be bruised and swell up. This is because the breast tissues and muscles have been stretched.

Most women experience the most pain during the first few days post-procedure. If necessary, your doctor can prescribe pain relief medicine to ease the pain.

Furthermore, as part of the recovery process, drainage tubes may be placed on your breasts to help reduce swelling. These are often removed within a few days following the surgery.

Medical experts advise women recovering from breast reduction to where special surgical bras to support the tissue during this period as well. Finally, it’s important to avoid any unnecessarily strenuous activity during this period.

The Weeks After Surgery

In the few weeks following surgery, much of the bruising and swelling experienced in the first few days should have subsided. In some circumstances, the discomfort and pain will continue but should be substantially less painful.

After a couple of weeks, the stitches are usually removed. And while the dressings and gauze may have been removed by now, it is highly recommended that patients continue to wear the special surgical bra to provide greater support.

During this period, most women have recovered sufficiently to return to work. However, to some extent, this depends on personal lifestyle, workplace environment and recovery times. For instance, if your work requires a lot of physical exercise, then a longer recovery time may be required.
If you continue to experience severe pain or the swelling worsens during the first few weeks after the procedure, then you need to seek medical attention immediately.

The Month After Surgery

In the month or so after the surgery, most women experience almost full recovery. Despite this, it’s advised that patients continue to be careful with their breasts; it may still be possible to get breast infections.

Between one and two months after surgery, the breasts will begin to feel natural and soft. And, while breast reduction recovery may be complete, the swelling could continue for up to a year.

​​​​​​​Breast Reduction Surgery and Scars

Many women are also concerned about the scars caused by the breast reduction surgery. And although your body may have fully recovered from the breast reduction surgery, unfortunately, the scars are likely to be permanent.

However, they won’t look anything like how they look directly after the surgery. In the initial months after the procedure, the scars could be lumpy and red for some time. They will gradually fade into white, faint lines.

Surgeons carefully place the incisions in less apparent areas of the breast. This means that it is still possible for women to wear bikinis and other low cut tops and dresses.

However, the post-surgery scars are mostly dependent on which type of breast reduction procedure is used. For instance, whether the incision is vertical or horizontal. For more information on the different types of surgery, speak with your doctor.

How to Reduce Recovery Time

Many women lead very busy and full lives. Because of this, it is only natural to want to know how to reduce the recovery time period.

And while it’s important to give yourself the necessary time for breast reduction recovery, there are also many steps you can take to reduce the recovery time. These steps include:

1. Don’t Smoke.
2. Stay Hydrated.
3. Don’t drink alcohol (especially within the first week after the surgery).
4. Let yourself rest and recover in the first few days following surgery.
5. Sleep in the upright position for the first few weeks after surgery.
6. Avoid physical and strenuous movements; e.g., lifting heavy objects.

If you follow the above recommendations, you’ll increase the probability of a safe and healthy recovery.

If you are still concerned about scarring and the breast reduction recovery time, it’s important to follow the instructions provided by the surgeon, doctors, and medical staff.

If you are unsure about any of the information or instructions, then simply ask again. Don’t take any chances!

After breast reduction surgery, most women report that they are satisfied with their new and smaller breasts. For more information about breast reduction recovery periods and the procedure itself, don’t hesitate to get in touch.

common problems after breast reduction surgery

Breast reduction surgery: Everything you need to know

Breast reduction surgery, which doctors may call reduction mammoplasty, is a medical procedure that reduces the overall size of a person’s breasts.

According to the authors of a 2019 article Trusted Source, breast reduction surgery is one of the most common cosmetic procedures.

In this article, we discuss breast reduction surgery, including the procedure and how it differs between males and females, what to expect during recovery, and the associated risks.

Uses

People who have overly large breasts that cause neck, shoulder, or back pain may benefit from breast reduction surgery.

Large breasts can make exercising and other activities difficult. Having large breasts can also have negative psychological effects, as some individuals feel self-conscious about their breast size.

Doctors may recommend breast reduction surgery for males who have gynecomastia, which is a medical condition in which the breast tissue swells due to high levels of estrogen.

Breast reduction surgery can help improve people’s physical and psychological well-being.

A doctor will first determine whether someone is a candidate for the surgery. This evaluation can include:

• a routine breast examination
• a mammogram
• the reviewal of a person’s medical history
• urine, blood, and other lab tests

A breast reduction usually takes place under general anesthesia. Most people go home straight after surgery, but some do spend 1–2 nights in the hospital.

Procedure

Before surgery, a person may need to stop taking over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medications, such as aspirin and ibuprofen, as these can increase bleeding.

Doctors also encourage people who smoke to quit several weeks before the procedure. Smoking will increase the risk of nipple or areolar damage, tissue necrosis, and other complications. Therefore, it is essential that people discuss any tobacco product use, including vaping, with the doctor.

The plastic surgeon performing the procedure will use a marker to draw guidelines for the incisions. The size of the breasts, the position of the nipples, and the person’s preferences will determine the exact incision pattern.

The wise pattern, or anchor pattern, is the most common skin removal technique for breast reduction surgery, according to the authors of one 2019 article Trusted Source.

A surgeon starts by making an incision around the areola. Then, they continue the incision beneath the breast, at which point they may remove excess skin from the sides of the breast.

After making the incisions, the surgeon will remove excess breast tissue, reshape the remaining tissue, and reposition the nipple and areola. The surgeon will close the remaining skin with sutures and surgical tape.

If the breasts are particularly large, it may be necessary to remove the nipples and areolas from the body and then place them back on the breasts in a procedure called a free nipple graft. The nipples will regrow into the new position, but they will usually be permanently numb afterward.

After the procedure, the surgeon or a nurse will wrap the breasts in gauze bandages. The insertion of small tubes into the breasts is sometimes necessary to drain excess fluid and reduce swelling after the operation. People should avoid showering until a nurse removes these drainage tubes.

Male breast reduction surgery

The goal of male breast reduction surgery is to remove any excess fatty or glandular tissue to achieve a flatter, firmer-looking chest.

Extra breast tissue in males is called gynecomastia.

Males undergoing breast reduction surgery will receive a local or general anesthetic before the procedure. The procedure can involve liposuction, excision, or a combination of the two.

Liposuction can correct gynecomastia that is due to excess fatty tissue. The surgeon will make micro-incisions along the sides of the breast and insert a thin tube called a cannula. The surgeon will use the cannula to loosen and remove excess fatty tissue.

Gynecomastia can also cause excess skin and glandular breast tissue. In this case, a surgeon will use excision techniques to cut off this tissue.

After reducing the size of the breast, the surgeon will reposition the areola and nipple, if necessary, and close the incisions with sutures.

Recovery

Most people can go home a few hours after the surgery, as long as they do not experience any complications.

Before they leave the hospital or clinic, they will receive specific postoperative instructions that cover what types of oral and topical medications can help reduce pain and scarring and prevent infections.

People will need plenty of rest while their breasts heal. They should avoid any movements that might stretch the chest muscles or tear the sutures.

People may have difficulty lifting their arms during the first couple of weeks, so they may want to ask a close family member or friend to help them during this time.

They should avoid heavy lifting for several weeks or until a doctor removes their sutures.

Risks

People may experience minor complications after breast reduction surgery, such as:

• open wounds or slow healing of the incisions
• excess fluid in the breast tissue
• cellulitis, or infection of the connective tissue
• loss of sensation in the nipples or breasts
• asymmetric appearance of the breasts or nipples
• prominent or thickened scars
• allergic reactions to anesthesia or other medications

Smoking can increase the risk of complications and delay the healing process. People who have obesity may also have a higher risk of postoperative complications.

It is important to note that the breasts may have very small asymmetries after surgery. Most breasts are not exactly the same size or shape to begin with, and the surgeons do try to remove more tissue from the bigger side. However, after the procedure and months after the completion of the healing process, there may be small differences between the breasts.

Also, breast reduction surgery can affect Trusted Source a person’s ability to breastfeed.

Cost

According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, breast reduction procedures cost, on average, approximately $5,680. People will also need to pay for the cost of consultations and follow-up appointments.

Some insurance companies may partially or completely cover the cost of breast reduction surgery if a person needs this procedure to relieve chronic pain or other medical problems.

People who are thinking about having breast reduction surgery may wish to contact their insurance company to inquire about coverage.MEDICAL NEWS TODAY NEWSLETTERKnowledge is power. Get our free daily newsletter.

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Summary

Breast reduction surgery is a relatively safe and effective medical procedure that reduces the overall size of a person’s breasts.

A plastic surgeon will remove excess fat, breast tissue, and skin through incisions underneath the breasts. They may also reposition the nipple and areola.

Breast reduction surgery is an outpatient procedure with minimal risks. Rare complications include infection, scarring, and loss of sensation in the nipples or breasts.

People considering breast reduction surgery can make an appointment with a board certified plastic surgeon. At the appointment, the surgeon will evaluate a person’s medical history and current health status to determine whether breast reduction surgery is a suitable option.