After a Breast Reduction

Breast reduction recovery times are modest as it is an out-patient procedure. The doctor will offer both prohibitions during recovery and guidelines to aid the healing process.

After Breast Reduction Surgery

Following breast reduction surgery, the patient will need a driver to safely travel home. The first days after breast reduction surgery will require lots of rest.

The breasts will be bruised and swollen and the surgeon will prescribe medication for pain and discomfort. The patient will need to continue to wear a surgical brassiere around the clock to prevent gravity from putting pressure on the sutures.

The breast reduction surgeon will want to meet the patient 24 to 72 hours after surgery. At this meeting the doctor can ensure that recovery is on the proper course. New dressing may be applied and any tiny drainage tubes that were used will be removed. The doctor can also answer any questions about further recovery from the breast reduction and what to expect going forward.

For the first two weeks after a breast reduction is very important to avoid any strain or physically strenuous activity. This includes sexual activity. The arms should not be raised above the head at all. Even if there is no pain in raising the arms, doing so could cause additional scarring under the arms. After the first week of recovery, swelling and bruising will subside and the patient may confidently return to work. She will still need to wear a 24-hour support bra and avoid strain.

During the third and fourth week of recovery, the breast reduction patient may begin to re-engage is some more physical activity. However, the patient should ultimately heed the advice of the breast reduction surgeon. At the end of the fourth week, the scarring will have subsided greatly and the long-term results of the surgery will be visible. Though, it will take six months to a year to see the final results of the breast reduction and the ultimate look of incision lines. Each patient heals differently, but following the doctor's guidelines is the best way to ensure proper healing with minimal complication.

Breast Reduction Post-Surgery Risks

The three primary health risks from breast reduction surgery are the same as the health risks in all surgeries. These are bleeding, infection and scarring. Bleeding can be made problematic by smoking or things that thin the blood. For this reason, a potential patient must stop smoking at least two or three months before surgery and must stop taking aspirin, blood-thinning medications and supplements at least two weeks before surgery. Infection is a risk whenever the body is opened to the outside world. Keeping wounds clean and taking antibiotics as prescribed will keep infection at bay. Finally, scarring is inherent in any surgery where incisions are made. Breast reduction techniques are designed to keep scars to a minimum and limit their size. A breast reduction surgeon can show pictures of previous patients to set expectations for scars.

Breast Reduction Surgery - Nipple Sensation Risk

Loss of sensation or feeling in the nipple and areola is one of the biggest risks specific to breast reduction surgery. While the majority of patients experience no loss in sensation, there is still a risk of diminished or complete loss in feeling, which can also affect erogenous function. Nearly all patients will experience a loss of sensation immediately after surgery and this is normal due to the breasts swelling. As this swelling recedes, feeling will return. Sensation may be lower for the first several weeks of recovery and some patients require a year to fully redevelop nipple sensation following a breast reduction. For a very small number, the feeling never returns.

Breast Reduction Surgery - Breast Feeding Risks

The other risk specific to breast reduction surgery is the loss in ability to breast feed. Because of this risk, most doctors recommend doing the surgery after having and breastfeeding children. However, this is not always possible for younger patients who experience pain early in life. Breast reduction techniques are designed to maintain breast feeding function as much as possible, but the loss of this function is a risk posed by the surgery. Even the best doctors may not be able to predict how this surgery may affect each breast reduction patient. So, this conversation is important to have with the surgeon prior to surgery. BFAR (Breast Feeding After Reduction) is an online organization that offers support and advice to women who work through the possible challenges of breast feeding after reduction surgery and is a good site for further research prior to a breast reduction.

Preparing Your Home for Breast Reduction Recovery

Setting up your home ahead of time can smooth the first weeks of recovery from a breast reduction. Here are some general tips:

Bring food and dishes down from high cabinets before surgery. After a breast reduction, you may not raise your arms above your head and setting up your kitchen ahead of time may help eliminate the need for extra assistance.
Pre-make dinners beforehand to eliminate the strain of cooking large meals
Prepare outfits that don't require lifting the arms above the head or reaching far down. Button-up shirts and slip-on shoes are ideal for the first recovery week.
Keep drinks in containers smaller than one gallon as the weight of heavy liquid containers can cause undue strain.
Dizziness can accompany the first attempt to shower after breast reduction surgery. Keep someone on hand to assist if possible.

Breast Reduction Surgery � Emergencies

Pain in the chest
Shortness of breath
A fever that rises above 100.5 degrees Fahrenheit
Yellow pus-like fluid gathering at the incision site that surpasses the size of the dime.

Final Questions about Breast Reduction for Your Doctor

Each breast reduction surgeon will offer a list of recovery guidelines based on common knowledge and acquired experience. Following these guidelines will prevent complications in recovery and speed the healing process. Before you leave your doctor's office, you should ask the following questions to prepare for healing from your breast reduction:

How should I care for the wounds as they are healing?
When should I remove or replace bandages?
How often should I wear a support brassiere after breast reduction surgery?
When is it ok to shower and how should I protect the incision lines from water?
When can I begin to lift my arms over my head?
What medications and supplements should I avoid after breast reduction surgery?
What complications or side effects should I watch out for?
When can I return to work and normal activity?

Each doctor will have personal guidelines following breast reduction surgery. Use the directory on this site to find experienced breast reduction surgeons in your area.

Questions about what to expect after breast reduction surgery:

How long will I have to stay in recovery after my breast reduction surgery?
How will I feel after breast reduction surgery?
How much pain is there after breast reduction surgery?
How long can I expect to fully recover from my breast reduction surgery?

Questions to ask about your return home after breast reduction surgery:

Am I required to have someone drive me home after breast reduction surgery?
What kind of care will I need at home?
Should I have someone help me after my breast reduction surgery? And if so, for how long?
Are there any activity limitations after my breast reduction surgery and for how long?
What kind of diet should I keep after my breast reduction surgery?
What symptoms should I watch out for and report after my breast reduction surgery?
When should I contact my gastric bypass surgeon?
What medications do I need to take after my breast reduction surgery?
Is there anything that I should refrain from after my breast reduction surgery (for example, heat or sun)?
Do I need bed rest after my breast reduction surgery and for how long?
How long before I can go back to work after my breast reduction surgery?
Do I need to wear bandages or special garments? And if so, for how long after my breast reduction surgery?
How soon can I resume my normal activities after my breast reduction surgery?