Breast Reduction Post-Surgery Care Tips

Women who want to reduce the size of overly large breasts may benefit from breast reduction surgery. A breast reduction is ideal for women with large, pendulous breasts who are experiencing a significant amount of physical pain and discomfort in their back, shoulders, or neck. This procedure, also known as a reduction mammaplasty, removes excess skin and fatty tissue to achieve a new breast size and shape that is more consistent with the overall balance of your body.

If you have recently undergone a breast reduction, or are considering the procedure, it is important to be informed about what to expect after your surgery. Here are some essential breast reduction post-surgery care guidelines all patients must follow:

Wear a Supportive Bra

You will be required to wear a supportive surgical bra for a few weeks after your breast reduction procedure. This bra provides extra support and comfort than regular bras, and will help to keep the reshaped breast tissue in place during the healing process. You will need to wear this bra day and night to ensure optimal recovery. Dr. Jacob Haiavy, Dr. Irene Tower, or Dr. Emma Ryan will provide you with more information on how long you need to wear this bra before your procedure.

Take Prescribed Pain Medication

Some patients do experience some pain and discomfort after surgery due to significant swelling of the tissues. You may experience a dull ache or pain around the surgical site after a breast reduction surgery. Your surgeon may prescribe pain medication to make the recovery phase more manageable.

Showering After Breast Surgery

Your skin and breast tissue will still be sore and sensitive immediately after surgery, so you will want to give yourself some time before bathing or taking a shower. In most cases, you can take a shower on the second post-operative day. Showering on the second day also decreases the chances of interfering with the healing process of your incisions.

Exercising After Breast Reduction Surgery

Most patients can resume light exercise about three weeks after surgery. You can then progress to more vigorous exercise about four to six weeks after your procedure. This varies by patient and depends on how quickly you are recovering from the procedure. Be sure to take it easy and don’t push yourself if you feel weak or sore. Your surgeon will provide you with an estimated timeline for returning to the gym, running, and participating in other vigorous exercise activities. You will notice that once you are healed, your breast reduction makes exercising much easier and more comfortable.

Getting Back to Work After Surgery

You will need to take roughly 2-4 weeks off work to recover from your procedure. Healing times vary by patient, but it is important to be ready to take some time before returning to work. For this reason, many of our patients use vacation time or schedule their surgery around the holidays to allow themselves enough time to fully recover.

Eating and Drinking after Surgery

All patients undergoing a procedure need to stay hydrated by drinking lots of water. Refrain from consuming alcohol for several days after your procedure. Maintain a well-balanced diet so you are feeding your body with healthy nutrients that will help with the healing process.

Learn more about the breast reduction procedure by scheduling your appointment with Dr. Haiavy, Dr. Tower, or Dr. Ryan today.