I’ve been thinking about my breast reduction for 3 weeks now, and I can’t believe it’s already been that long.

I had my surgery on a Friday, and I was back home by Sunday evening. It was a lot less painful than I thought it would be, and the nurses were really helpful in explaining things to me and making sure that I was comfortable.

My doctor told me not to do any heavy lifting or strenuous activity for 2 weeks after the surgery, but after that, I could start going back to my normal workout routine again. He also said that I should avoid contact sports for 6 weeks after the surgery because of how much movement there is in those activities.

Since then, I’ve been feeling great! It’s so nice not having such large breasts anymore—I don’t have any back pain anymore when I’m exercising or even just walking around. And even though they’re still healing, they don’t look nearly as bad as they did before the surgery—you can barely see any scars from where they took out the tissue from inside my breasts!

3 weeks after breast reduction

Breast Reduction Recovery

Personalized details about how to navigate your breast reduction recovery will be discussed with you in detail prior to your surgery. During the recovery process, your breast reduction surgeon will be in close contact with you to ensure you remain comfortable and are healing well. Dr. Neil Zemmel and Dr. Karishma Reddy put a high value on this communication, as it allows patients to rest easy and focus on their recovery. Learn what you can expect during the recovery period after breast reduction surgery by visiting the sections below. If you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us.

• How Long Breast Reduction Recovery Takes
• Breast Reduction Recovery Timeline
• Breast Reduction Recovery Tips
• Cleaning Breast Reduction Wounds
• Showering After Breast Reduction
• Bras to Wear After Breast Reduction
• How to Sleep After Breast Reduction
• Swelling After Breast Reduction
• Driving After Breast Reduction
• Exercising After Breast Reduction
• Time off Work After Breast Reduction
• Pregnancy After Breast Reduction

How Long Does It Take to Recover from Breast Reduction?

The recovery after breast reduction can take about two to six weeks, depending on the details of your surgery. This process occurs over multiple stages, as you gradually feel more like yourself and can resume your normal activities.

What Is the Recovery Timeline from Breast Reduction Surgery?

Dr. Zemmel and Dr. Reddy are very thorough in helping patients understand what to expect during the recovery from reduction surgery, and they are available to answer any questions that may arise throughout the healing process.

1 to 3 Days After Surgery

Immediately after your breast reduction procedure, you will mostly likely be admitted to the hospital for an overnight stay, so our nurses and doctor can maintain close observation over your recovery. Any post-operative pain is typically well-tolerated with intravenous medicines, and should you need it, additional medication can be provided to help with nausea. The following morning, members of the surgical team will meet with you to change your bandages. Once you are ready, you will be discharged to go home.

Though resting is essential throughout the course of your recovery from breast reduction, you will also need to frequently move around to facilitate healing. After about two or three days post-surgery, you can begin to perform light daily activities, including showering.

1 to 2 Weeks After Surgery

During your first week after surgery, you will have more post-operative care instructions to follow, such as getting more rest and avoiding driving. You can expect your breasts to feel tight and swollen for about one week – many women compare this feeling to when their bodies start producing milk for breastfeeding. Throughout this time, you should not have too many issues moving around.

After this first week, patients tend to have less discomfort and should incorporate more activity into their day, though strenuous activities should still be avoided. By the second week, you should feel even more like yourself, and soreness should begin to resolve. The majority of patients take anywhere from 10-14 days off from work so they can relax and focus on recovery.

3 to 4 Weeks After Surgery

Most activities can be resumed by this point. As the swelling continues to go down and your body heals, you can begin to notice your beautiful breast reduction results taking shape.

By the three- to four-week mark, your swelling should be significantly reduced, and most activities can typically be resumed. At this point, your final breast reduction results should become more apparent.

4 to 6 Weeks After Surgery

After your fourth week of recovery, you will most likely be able to resume all exercise. While most of the breast reduction recovery happens over these first four to six weeks, keep in mind that residual swelling can last for about three to four months. Your breast reduction scars can take about six months to a year to fully heal, during which time they will gradually lighten in color and flatten.

Breast Reduction Recovery Tips

As you recover from your breast reduction, it is important that you follow your surgeon’s post-operative care instructions as closely as possible. This not only ensures you obtain optimal results, but also reduces the risk for potential complications as your body heals. In addition, by following the tips below, you can expect a smoother, more comfortable recovery.

• Rest as needed, but don’t be afraid to move around. Try to walk around and resume lighter activities after the first few days. This helps encourage your body to heal.
• Get help from a friend or family member for the first two to three days. You will most likely be sore at this point in your recovery, and additional help can make relaxing much easier.
• Take pain medications if you need them. Some discomfort is normal as your body begins to heal, but don’t suffer if you don’t need to.
• Don’t drive yourself for the first week or two if possible. It may take some time for your anesthesia to completely wear off. In the following days, the act of driving, as well as the seatbelt across your chest area, may cause discomfort.
• Refrain from smoking and other tobacco products, as these are known to complicate the body’s ability to heal.

How Do I Clean My Breast Reduction Wounds?

Keeping your incisions clean after breast reduction surgery is important for your healing and final results. You will be instructed to gently clean your incisions with mild soap and keep the area dry. No lotions or creams should be used, as this can cause inflammation. To help reduce your risk of infection, you may be prescribed antibiotics.

How Do I Shower After Breast Reduction Surgery?

Patients can typically resume showering after two to three days. Before this period, you can take a sponge bath but should avoid washing your incisions, as well as washing your hair since this can put stress on your incisions as the skin is pulled. When you are ready to shower, your surgical bra can be removed, but it should be worn the rest of the time. When you shower, you can gently wash your breasts and incision sites, unless you are instructed otherwise by Dr. Zemmel or Dr. Reddy.

During your first few showers, you may feel slightly lightheaded, so it can be helpful to have someone help you or to have a shower stool available for sitting. When drying off after your shower, make sure not to rub your incisions, but to instead pat dry and let them air dry the rest of the way. You should avoid soaking in baths, hot tubs, and pools for at least two weeks, as these can expose your wounds to bacteria and increase your risk of infection.

What Bra Should I Wear After Breast Reduction Surgery?

After your breast reduction surgery, you will need to wear a surgical bra or compression garment for approximately six weeks. As noted above, this can be removed while showering, but it should be worn the rest of the day and night. Once this six-week period is over, you can wear regular bras again, as long as they do not have an underwire. Underwire bras can be worn after about three months. This is because the skin under your breast can be irritated by the underwire as you are in your initial recovery.

How Should I Sleep After Breast Reduction Surgery?

You should keep your torso elevated when you sleep after breast reduction surgery to reduce the amount of pressure around the breasts. This position can be uncomfortable, though, so Dr. Zemmel or Dr. Reddy may prescribe medication to help you sleep. To ensure you stay in this position throughout the night, it can help to put a cushion under your knees and by your sides.

How Can I Reduce Swelling After My Breast Reduction?

Swelling is a normal part of the recovery after breast reduction surgery, which is an inflammatory reaction from your body due to injury. To help control the swelling that occurs, you should wear compression garments at the beginning of your recovery, which help support your breasts. Light activity and elevating your upper body while you sleep can also help facilitate healing. You should stay hydrated and follow a low-sodium diet, as well. Most swelling subsides within three to four weeks after surgery, but minor swelling can last up four months. Should you have severe swelling, please contact your surgeon as this may indicate a problem has occurred, such as infection.

When Can I Drive After Breast Reduction Surgery?

Most patients feel comfortable enough to drive after about one week from their breast reduction procedure. At this point the act of driving a vehicle and wearing a seatbelt across the chest is more comfortable. That said, you should avoid driving altogether until you have finished taking prescription pain medications.

How Soon Can I Exercise After Breast Reduction Surgery?

Rigorous exercise that engages the pectoral muscles should be avoided for at least four weeks. Walking, doing lower body exercises, and performing light non-impact aerobics may all be safe for you to do, but you should avoid using heavy weights and doing vigorous cardio for four to six weeks. By exercising too hard too fast, you can cause your incisions to separate or bleed, which can increase the risk of scarring. Once you are cleared to exercise, you should wear a quality sports bra.

How Much Time Will I Need off Work for My Breast Reduction?

Most patients with an office-based job take 10-14 days off from work to recover from their breast reduction surgery. This allows them enough time to focus on relaxing, managing any discomfort, and reducing post-operative swelling. After these first couple weeks, you should be able to drive yourself to work and feel more comfortable completing day-to-day tasks. If your job requires more strenuous activities, such as lifting heavy objects, you may need to take additional time off to allow for adequate healing time.

How Soon After Breast Reduction Surgery Can I Get Pregnant?

Although it is typically recommended for patients to wait to get cosmetic breast surgery until after completing their family, Dr. Zemmel and Dr. Reddy understand that procedures like breast reduction surgery can significantly improve a woman’s quality of life before they consider having children. Should you wish to conceive after reduction surgery, they recommend waiting at least three months post-surgery before trying to get pregnant. This allows internal and external sutures to properly heal and reduces the risk of potential complications.

If you are considering future pregnancies around the time of your breast reduction consultation, you should explain this to your plastic surgeon, so they can provide you with realistic expectations of how this may affect your long-term breast reduction results. This initial communication also ensures they can customize your surgical plan to minimize any contact with the nerves and milk ducts.

common problems after breast reduction surgery

It can be stressful preparing for any surgery, and it’s incredibly important to understand these common problems after breast reduction surgery, and how you can avoid them.

Breast reduction surgery is an amazing procedure for those who have been tired of their excessively large breasts. Large breasts can lead to skin chafing, ill-fitting clothes, back pain, and lack of confidence. The decision to get breast reduction surgery is extremely personal and life-changing.

With that being said, breast reduction surgery is an invasive procedure and comes with a certain degree of side effects. If you choose the right surgeon and follow all the pre and post-surgical instructions religiously, you can greatly minimize the risks and common problems after breast reduction surgery.

It is important to be aware of the potential complications. Your surgeon will guide you in detail about the possible risks and concerns of the surgery. Make sure that you understand the procedure and take all the precautions to minimize the risks.

Possible Common Problems After Breast Reduction Surgery

Possible complications of breast reduction surgery include:

• Sometimes individuals can get allergic to tape, sutures, topical ointments, and injectables
• Anesthesia-related risks can impact certain people
• Excessive bleeding
• Formation of blood clots
• Asymmetrical breasts
• Contour and shape irregularities in breasts
• Numbness and changes in breast and nipple sensation
• Damage to nerves, blood vessels, lungs, and muscles
• Deep vein thrombosis
• Cardiac and pulmonary complications
• Excessively firm breasts
• Fat necrosis
• Fluid accumulation and excessive swelling
• Infections
• Persistent pain
• Poor healing of incisions
• Loss of skin tissue
• Skin discoloration
• Swelling and bruising
• Unfavorable scarring

By understanding these common problems after breast reduction surgery, you can properly plan, and follow pre- and post-operative care procedures.

Some Points to Remember

• Breast reduction surgery will interfere with the diagnostic procedures.
• In some cases, breast and nipple piercing can cause infection.
• Talk to your doctor if you are planning to breastfeed after the breast reduction surgery as in some cases, it can create problems.
• The procedures can be done at any age provided that your breasts are fully developed.
• Changes in breasts can lead to breast fluctuations.
• It is not always possible to achieve great results after breast reduction surgery. Hence, it is very important to choose the right surgeon and stick to all the pre and post-surgical instructions.

How to Common Problems After Breast Reduction Surgery?

Avoiding complications post breast reduction surgery involves a certain level of care before and aftercare. If you can follow the instructions given by your surgeon, the risk of complications will be greatly minimized. Additionally, following proper breast reduction surgery recovery guidelines are essential. Here are some of the most important instructions to follow:

– Medications

Take all the medications given by your surgeon on time. Never skip the pain killers and antibiotics as they can lead to post-surgical pain and swelling.

– Blood Thinning Medications

Stay clear of all blood-thinning medications including ibuprofen, Advil, as well as any herbal supplements at least 2 weeks before and after the surgery. They can increase the risk of swelling and bruising. Avoid taking any medication without consulting your surgeon.

– Blood Clot Prevention

Make sure to walk lightly around the house for 5 to 10 minutes, once or twice a day to prevent the formation of blood clots.

– Incision Care

Take care of your incisions as per the instructions given by your surgeon. Avoid getting them wet and use the topical medications as directed.

– Rest Matters

Aim at sleeping for at least 8 hours a day and take short naps throughout the day. Your body needs rest to recover. Hence, take two weeks off from work and take care of yourself.

– Sleep

Do not sleep on your side or stomach as it can put a strain on your breasts and incisions.

– Diet and Lifestyle

Diet and lifestyle play a key role in healing. Make sure to eat a healthy diet that is rich in all the nutrients and minerals and drink loads of water. Do not opt for any strenuous activities, exercises and avoid lifting heavyweights.

– Follow-Up Visits

Follow-up visits are of utmost importance when it comes to healing. Make sure to go for all the follow-up appointments as it allows the surgeon to closely monitor the healing.

– Avoid Getting Your Incisions Wet

Aim at taking quick showers and try not to get the incisions wet. Avoid hot baths, swimming pools, saunas till you are fully healed.

– Compression Garment

Wear the compression bra for at least six weeks post-surgery. It will help minimize the swelling and give you much-needed support. Do not take it off unless your surgeon asks you to.

– Pay Attention

At any point during the healing phase, you notice any signs of infection, experience fever/chills, immediately get in touch with your surgeon.

Choosing the Right Surgeon for Breast Reduction

As mentioned earlier, selecting a highly experienced surgeon is one of the best things you can do for yourself. A few steps to be mindful of are:

Credentials and Experience – Always look at the credentials and experience of the surgeon. Make sure that the surgeon is a member of ASPS and has extensive experience in performing breast reduction surgeries.

Reviews – You can find plenty of reviews online about different surgeons. Do not stick to the surgeon’s website for reviews. Visit other review sites, forums, and social media groups. You can also go ahead and ask around in your circle if someone has had a positive experience with a particular surgeon.

Before and After Photographs – Always look at the before and after photographs of the individual. You can either find them on the surgeon’s website or ask for them during the consultation.

Have a Look at the Facility – Where the surgeon will perform your surgery is of equal importance as the surgeon himself/herself. Make sure that the facility is well equipped to handle all kinds of emergencies.

Consultation Matters – I would recommend going to a consultation with at least three of the surgeons. See how they make you feel, answer your queries. At the end of the consultations, you will have a clear idea of which surgeon to opt for.

Final Takeaway

With any kind of surgery cosmetic or non-cosmetic, there is a certain degree of risks and complications associated with the surgery. With the help of the right surgeon, following all the pre and post-op instructions, the risks can be minimized greatly. If you’re in need of breast reduction surgery recovery, contact Pearl Recovery Retreat & Wellness today.