Depending on the extent of your procedure, breast reduction recovery can take anywhere from two to six weeks. This is a multi-step process, during which you will gradually feel better and be able to resume your regular activities.
How Long Do You Have To Rest After A Breast Reduction?
Before your breast reduction surgery, you and your surgeon will have a thorough discussion about your recovery. Your breast reduction surgeon will check in with you frequently to ensure that you are doing well after surgery. Because it allows their patients to relax and focus on getting better, Drs. Neil Zemmel and Karishma Reddy place a premium on this kind of communication. Learn more about what to expect during your breast reduction recovery by clicking on the links below.
How Long Does It Take to Recover from Breast Reduction?
Depending on the extent of your procedure, breast reduction recovery can take anywhere from two to six weeks. This is a multi-step process, during which you will gradually feel better and be able to resume your regular activities.
1 to 3 Days After Surgery
It is highly likely that you will need to spend at least one night in the hospital after your breast reduction procedure so that our medical team can closely monitor your recovery. After surgery, patients have access to intravenous pain medication and anti-nausea medication. The surgical team will come in the morning to change your bandages. As soon as you’ve recovered enough, you’ll be sent home.
After breast reduction surgery, you’ll need to rest, but staying active will help you heal more quickly. You should be able to return to normal activities like taking showers two or three days after surgery.
1 to 2 Weeks After Surgery
During the first week after surgery, you will receive more detailed instructions for postoperative care, such as increasing your rest and avoiding driving. Breasts may feel tight and swollen as a woman’s body prepares to make milk for breastfeeding during the first week after giving birth. Getting around shouldn’t be too difficult at this time.
After the first week, most patients report less pain and can resume their regular activities, though they should still avoid anything too strenuous. By the end of the second week, you should feel completely normal again. Patients typically need between 10 and 14 days off from work to recover.
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
It is crucial that you adhere strictly to your surgeon’s post-operative care instructions as you recover from your breast reduction. This not only guarantees the best possible outcomes, but also lessens the likelihood of any post-treatment complications. In addition, if you adhere to the advice provided below, you should have a speedier and more pleasant recuperation.
Take breaks if you must, but don’t be afraid to get up and walk around. After the initial few days, you should try to walk around and do lighter activities again. In a way, this aids your body in its recovery.
For the first three days, it is recommended to enlist the assistance of a friend or family member. At this stage of your recovery, you likely feel some pain, so having a helping hand can make resting much simpler.
If you’re in pain, take some medication. While it’s natural to experience some pain as your body recovers, you shouldn’t put yourself through unnecessary distress.
Avoid driving for at least the first week or two. It could be a while before you feel the full effects of the anesthetic. The act of driving itself, as well as the seatbelt across your chest, may be painful in the days that follow.
Avoid using tobacco products, including cigarettes, as they hinder the body’s natural healing processes.
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 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?
After two or three days, most patients are able to take showers again. You can take a sponge bath before this time, but you shouldn’t wash anything that could put stress on your incisions, including your hair. Your surgical bra should be worn at all times except when you are in the shower. Unless otherwise instructed by Drs. Zemmel or Reddy, you may gently wash your breasts and incision sites in the shower.
It’s a good idea to have a friend help you or a shower stool handy in case you get dizzy while taking your first few showers. If you’ve recently had surgery, it’s important to avoid rubbing the incisions while drying off from a shower. For at least two weeks after surgery, you should avoid activities that expose your wounds to water, such as bathing, swimming, or using a hot tub or pool.
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.
How Soon After Breast Reduction Surgery Can I Get Pregnant?
Although it is commonly advised that patients wait until after they have completed their family before undergoing cosmetic breast surgery, Drs. Zemmel and Reddy are aware that procedures like breast reduction surgery can significantly improve a woman’s quality of life before they even think about having children. It is recommended that patients wait at least three months after reduction surgery before trying to conceive. As a result, internal and external sutures have a better chance of healing without any complications.
Discussing your plans for future pregnancies with your plastic surgeon at the time of your breast reduction consultation will allow them to give you more accurate projections of how your breast reduction will hold up over time. This preliminary discussion also helps them tailor your surgical plan to restrict access to sensitive areas like milk ducts and nerves.
When Can I Drive After Breast Reduction Surgery?
After about a week, most patients who underwent a breast reduction feel well enough to drive again. As time has progressed, wearing a seatbelt across the chest while driving has become more natural. However, until you have finished taking your pain medication, you shouldn’t get behind the wheel at all.
How Soon Can I Exercise After Breast Reduction Surgery?
Avoid strenuous activities that use your chest muscles for at least four weeks. Avoid heavy weights and intense cardio for four to six weeks; in their place, you may safely engage in light walking, lower body exercises, and light non-impact aerobics. Overexerting yourself too soon after surgery can lead to incisions separating or bleeding, which can increase the likelihood of scarring. After getting the all-clear to exercise, it’s important to invest in a good 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.