Are you thinking about having your breasts reduced? Or are you already scheduled for the procedure? You should be cognizant of the recovery phase for breast reduction surgery.
Breast reduction surgery is a serious decision that should not be underestimated. Annually, over 35,000 women decide to have this cosmetic surgery. They make the choice for a number of reasons, such as, but not limited to, medical issues.
Your breasts will be smaller after the procedure. This has numerous advantages, including the reduction of back pain as well as shoulder pain and, as a result, a positive outcome for you. You may also discover that you are more satisfied with your look as a result.
Nevertheless, as with any major life decision, it’s critical that you are well aware of the details of the procedure, including the recovery time.
Understand What You Should Expect
Breast reduction surgery is a common and safe procedure. However, as with all surgeries, there is a recovery period. The majority of women, of course, want to get back to work and their normal lives as soon as possible. Nevertheless, recovery takes quite a bit of time.
You can also better prepare for recovery if you know what’s coming ahead after the procedure. Here’s some important information regarding the recovery time, scarring, and steps you can take to quicken the recovery time.
Recovery Time After Breast Reduction
Healing following breast reduction can take a good amount of time. However, it is crucial that you are aware of what is going to take place after surgery. The surgery can last up to five hours. The majority of patients are able to go home right after the surgical procedure.
Below are things you should anticipate in the weeks and months following the reduction of your breasts.
Days Following Breast Reduction
It is natural to feel pain as well as discomfort in the days following breast reduction. Your breasts and surrounding areas may be scarred and swollen. This is due to the stretching of the muscles and tissues of the breast.
The majority of women report that they feel the most discomfort a week following the surgery. If needed, your surgeon will prescribe pain relievers to alleviate the discomfort. Additionally, drainage tubes could possibly be positioned on your breasts, as part of the healing process, to help minimize swelling. The tubes are typically removed after a couple of days following surgery.
Women healing from breast augmentation surgery should wear protective surgical bras. They will help sustain the tissue during this time, according to health experts. It’s critical to not participate in overly vigorous activity during this time.
Weeks Following Breast Reduction
After a couple of weeks, most of the swelling and scarring should be completely gone. Sometimes, the discomfort and pain will persist. However, it should not be as painful as the first few days after the procedure.
The sutures are typically extracted after a few weeks. Even if the bandages are removed, patients are strongly advised to continue wearing the surgical bra for additional assistance.
The majority of women have healed adequately to resume work during this time. To some degree, however, this is dependent on the patient’s lifestyle, job atmosphere, and healing times. For example, if your job entails strenuous physical activity, you may need to take more time to recover.
If you keep having extreme discomfort or if your swelling intensifies in the first few weeks, following breast reduction, you should seek medical care right away.
A Month Following Breast Reduction
Most women recover almost completely within a month of their surgery. Despite this, it is recommended that patients continue to be cautious, since breast infections are still possible.
The breasts will look and feel normal and delicate within a month or two after the surgical procedure. Although patients may have fully recovered, swelling typically persists for at least a year.
