The idea of breast reduction surgery is to give you smaller, lighter breasts to relieve your body of symptoms you may be dealing with, including chronic back, neck, and shoulder pain, improper posture, rashes or skin irritation, low self-image, and difficulty fitting into bras and clothing.
Surgeons perform more than 70,000 of these procedures each year in the United States. At Frederick H. Watkins MD, we have seen firsthand how this surgery can change patients’ lives.
Here’s the advice we give our patients about what to expect after breast reduction surgery.
During your surgery, Dr. Watkins will make an anchor-shaped incision in your breast, through which he can remove excess fat and glandular tissue. He’ll then relocate the nipple and areola, reshape the breast, and close the incision with stitches.
Then for a few days after the surgery, you’ll wear an elastic bandage and/or a surgical support bra to help minimize swelling and support your breasts. You may also have a small, thin drainage tube to help remove any excess blood or fluid. Your stitches will come out in about a week.
You probably want to know when you’ll be fully back to normal after your breast reduction surgery. While every situation is a little different, full recovery can take several months. Here are a few things you should watch for along the way.
During the first week following surgery, you’ll probably have some swelling, bruising, and discomfort. You should rest as much as possible this week and significantly limit your activity. Make sure to protect your incision as much as possible so it can heal.
In the next couple of weeks, you’ll start to feel much better. Depending on your job, you can return to work, although you should still limit exercise and activities.
For the first month after recovery, you should continue to wear a support bra. You can gradually increase your activity level as you feel able. You should have only gentle contact with your breasts until about the six week mark. After this time, you can discuss resuming normal activities and reducing the appearance of any scar with your surgeon.
During your recovery, don’t be alarmed if you experience any mild discomfort, swelling during menstruation, a few shooting pains, and any numbness or sensitivity. These are all normal symptoms, but if any of them linger or seem to be getting worse, talk to your doctor.
After you have healed from the surgery, you’ll notice your reduced breast size and volume and the shape of your breasts will be improved as well. You’ll find relief from the physical symptoms that have been plaguing you, and your self-esteem and body image will undergo a boost too.
If you’re considering breast reduction surgery, Dr. Watkins and our team would be honored to serve you. Just call our office location closest to you to schedule an appointment, or use our online scheduler to book a convenient time for your consultation!
