If you’v e decided to get breast reduction surgery, you’re probably looking forward to the benefits of having smaller, more proportional breasts. However, it’s also normal to be curious about what happens during the healing process after the operation. Here’s a general idea of what should happen as you recover from surgery for breast reduction.
The First Few Days
In the first few days following surgery, expect some discomfort, swelling, and bruising around your breasts and chest area; this is due to the procedure itself. Your doctor will give you prescriptions so that pain can be managed.
Usually, drains are placed inside during surgery to prevent fluid accumulation. These are small tubes made of plastic that allow excess blood and other fluids to drain out of the operating area. The surgeon removes them once drainage has decreased significantly, typically after several days from when one had their procedure done.
Rest is essential during these initial couple of days; refrain from engaging in heavy activities, at least within this time frame. You also need to wear a surgical bra or compression bandage recommended by your surgeon to offer support for healing breasts.
The First 1-2 Weeks
Around one week post-operatively, there would be maximum swelling and discolouration (bruising) around the breasts before subsiding gradually over the next few weeks. They may appear flattened or square-shaped initially due to this condition upon swelling, but it’s temporary anyway!
Most patients feel well enough to go back to work, like sitting jobs, around 7 days after their breast reduction, though one must not lift anything heavy or do strenuous exercise within 2-4 weeks of the recovery period; adhere strictly to the instructions given by your physician.
While still healing for the first week or two, it may be necessary to bathe using a sponge instead of showering so that the site remains dry during this phase. The doctor will offer incision care who may advise when one can let water touch affected parts.
Weeks 2-6
During the second as well as third weeks after having undergone breast reduction, most swelling, bruising, and soreness should start disappearing with time while continuing to heal. Nonetheless, it could take six weeks or even longer before all the remaining swelling disappears completely.
With a decrease in inflammation comes the softening of the breasts, which then takes on a new, smaller shape over these few weeks, as stated above. But don’t worry, because the final results might not show until some months have passed, so be patient!.
Around 4-6 weeks post-op, the majority of patients can perform exercises again, including those involving much effort, like running, provided their surgeon has cleared them; hence, a sports bra needs to be worn for such activities at that juncture.
What to Watch Out
Even though breast reduction is generally considered a safe operation, there are still things to watch out for while recovering from it. These signs include:
- Excessive bleeding or drainage from incisions
- High fever
- Increasing pain or redness around incisions
- Numbness or tingling in the breast skin
If you experience any of these symptoms, inform your surgeon immediately since they might imply the presence of infections, among other complications.
Long-Term Results
It usually takes a period of between six and twelve months for persistent post-operative oedema to go away completely, thereby showing an outcome regarding the new size, shape, and positioning of the breasts. So please be patient during this time!
Many ladies feel great when they get over their breast reduction operation. They become better-looking, improve their posture, decrease back and shoulder pains, and gain more freedom of action.
Nonetheless, all the breast reduction effects are expected to be permanent; breasts can lose shape with age, under gravity’s influence, or due to weight changes caused by hormones, among other reasons. To maintain them longer, one should wear a supportive bra and keep their weight stable.
For those considering the best breast reduction surgery in Bangalore or Jayanagar, it’s crucial to choose an experienced, highly-skilled surgeon to avoid adverse effects and unsatisfactory outcomes. With their years of training, cutting-edge techniques, and commitment to patient safety, the surgeons provide exceptional breast reduction results while minimizing risks and complications.
