Breast Reduction Recovery Swelling

After breast reduction surgery, you will likely have a lot of swelling. This feeling is completely normal and doctors recommend a specific course of action to help reduce it. Learn more about the different types of swelling— what causes it and what to do about it! You can also read about underarm swelling and lymphatic swelling after breast reduction.

When the muscle and tissue repair, postoperative swelling will reach its peak in the first week following surgery. Your breast reduction recovery could take a year, but the swelling should go down by the end of the first week.

How to reduce swelling after breast reduction surgery

Aspect	Details
Recovery Time	Up to 4 weeks
Postoperative Swelling	Normal as tissue and muscle heal Worst a week after surgery May take 6 to 9 months for full results Swelling can occur in ribcage and legs due to gravity
Ways to Reduce Swelling	Drinking Plenty of Fluids: Aim for a minimum of 2 liters of water per day. Eating a Healthy, Varied Diet: Rich in Protein Fibre Complex carbohydrates Vitamins and minerals Iron Keeping Active: Gentle walks daily; avoid strenuous activities. Reducing Salt Intake: Avoid processed foods; do not eliminate salt completely. Managing Your Medication: Follow surgeon’s prescriptions; avoid certain supplements.
Postoperative Care	Normal to feel alarmed by swelling Contact clinic with concerns
Swelling Timeline	Peak in the first week Subside toward the end of week 1 6 to 12 months for final results Majority of swelling disappears in 7 to 10 days Return to work in 3 to 5 days Normal routine within 2 to 4 weeks
Additional Notes	Swelling in ribcage or legs is not dangerous Will resolve over time

How to reduce swelling after breast reduction

The rate of recovery and disappearance of swelling will vary from patient to patient. But for all patients, there are things they can do to reduce swelling and dramatically speed the healing process. They are:

•  Stay well hydrated after surgery.  Drink 2 liters of water or more daily to help flush out your system.
• Stick to a healthy and varied diet.  Nutrients from a healthy and well-balanced diet will help you reduce postoperative swelling and bruising. A diet rich in protein, fiber, and complex carbohydrates will go a long way toward giving your body the nutrients it needs to heal faster.
• Supplement with vitamins, minerals, and iron.  Adding vitamins, minerals, and iron through supplements will help your body heal and reduce swelling even faster. While some swelling is the result of accumulated fluids, inflammation is also a natural physical response to injury, as free radicals work to neutralize foreign bodies. These free radicals play a key role in the body’s initial response to trauma, but if carried on too long, they can cause inflammation. Supplements and antioxidants curb that overreaction.
• Aim for Antioxidants. Antioxidant-rich foods and vitamins give you what your body needs to heal faster. These include:
  • Fruits: Raspberries, Goji Berries, Strawberries, Blueberries, Purple or Red Grapes, and Dates
  • Vegetables: Artichoke, Kale, Red Cabbage, Beets, Spinach, Carrots, and Sweet Potatoes.
  • Nuts: Walnuts, Pecans, Almonds, and Pine Nuts
• Stay safely active.  After surgery, plenty of rest will be necessary and welcome. When you feel comfortable with it, within about 48 hours of surgery, move frequently each new day with light exercises that you can tolerate without reaching above your head or doing any heavy lifting. You should at least once daily engage in a light walk to promote healthy blood circulation. 
• Don’t reach or lift above your head.  While exercising lightly and going about your daily routines, don’t lift anything heavy, and don’t reach or stretch your arms above your head. These are things you should initially avoid altogether and will ease into as recovery progresses

Postoperative swelling after breast reduction typically peaks in the first week after surgery. Recovery may take a year, but swelling should decrease by the end of the first week. Most swelling will subside within 7 to 10 days, and recovery can be resumed in 3 to 5 days. Returning to normal activities in 2 to 4 weeks is possible. Some patients may experience swelling in their legs or ribs during the first week due to gravity, but this is not dangerous and will eventually subside.

Conclusion

After your breast reduction surgery and for the first phase of healing, you will wear a padded surgical bra that provides a slight, healthy compression and sufficient breast support. We will also prescribe oral pain medication, which effectively reduces or eliminates pain altogether. Within a few days of surgery, you will be able to resume light activity and within 2 weeks, you will be able to resume all activities with a few caveats: take it slowly and gradually, don’t lift over your head, and refrain from strenuous activity. Full recovery typically requires 4 weeks.