The Zen of Breast Reduction Recovery

Breast reductions are one of the most common procedures performed by plastic surgeons in Orange County. They are very safe and effective, and a great way of getting the shape you’ve always wanted.

But despite their popularity, there’s still a lot of misinformation surrounding the recovery time after a breast reduction. Many women imagine that it will take months to recover, and that they won’t be able to keep up with day to day activities.

Fortunately, the recovery period after a breast reduction is much shorter than you might think. In fact, you’ll be able return to most of your normal routine after just a few weeks.

How long will recovery from a breast reduction take?

When patients ask this question, they often expect to hear that it will take months to recover. But most women will be able to return to work in as little as 2-3 weeks, and get back to their daily routine in around a month.

And breast reductions are an outpatient procedure. That means you can return home the day of the procedure and recover from the comfort of your own bed, not in an unfamiliar medical center.

How is pain managed after a breast reduction?

Many women also fear that they will be on painkillers for months after the procedure. But you’ll actually only have to take prescription pain medication for a few days after the operation.

You’ll wear a special bandage the first few days after the procedure which will help you reduce pain and swelling. And you’ll want to wear a surgical bra for a few weeks after the procedure.

You should avoid sex for the first 2 weeks after the operation. That’s because arousal can cause pain and swelling along the incision sites. And you should make minimal physical contact with your breasts for at least 6 weeks.

What about scarring from a breast reduction?

Breast reductions do require incisions, so you will have scars. But the incision sites are fairly small, and a skilled surgeon makes them in less visible areas. Over time, the scars heal and turn into white marks that are barely noticeable.

Most bad scarring is caused by inexperienced surgeons who don’t perform the procedure correctly. That’s why it’s important that you choose an experienced, board-certified plastic surgeon.

A standard breast reduction recovery

To help give you a better sense of what recovery could look like, here’s a typical recovery period:

• 3 Days: The gauze around the operation site will be removed
• 1 Week: Swelling and pain should be less noticeable. You can also engage in sexual activity
• 2 Weeks: You’ll no longer need a surgical bra. You can consider going back to work, and the stitches should be removed
• 1 Month: You can resume most daily activities. And you can start exercising again, although you should only lift light weights
• 3 Months: Scars will start to fade, turning white and becoming significantly less visible
• 1 Year: At this point, you should have little to no swelling. And any loss of sensation should have gone away, so that you have full feeling in your breasts and nipples

This is just a rough guide to recovery, and it can vary widely depending on the patient, their health, and the amount of work they have done. But most patients are able to resume their normal activities within weeks.

Complications you should keep an eye out for

Most breast reductions go smoothly. But in rare cases there may be complications. Here are some symptoms to look out for:

• High temperature
• Pus or other discharge from the operation site
• Pain that doesn’t subside
• Broken stitches

If you notice any of these symptoms, you should contact your surgeon. They often won’t be serious, but your surgeon will want to keep track of them to make sure they don’t worsen.

Choose a surgeon you can trust

A surgeon’s job doesn’t stop when they leave the operating room. Any great surgeon will be there for their patients every step of the way.

Should you have any worries about your recovery, don’t hesitate to contact Dr. Klicker. He can make sure that your recovery is going smoothly, and answer any questions you may have.